Mike Norvell doesn’t want Florida State acting like Saturday night is already here.
With the Seminoles set to open their 2026 season against New Mexico State on Saturday, August 29, the FSU coach has spent game week hammering one message: stay in the day, keep improving, and don’t rush the process. Florida State hosts the Aggies at Doak Campbell Stadium at 7 p.m., but Norvell said his team does not need to be “game-ready” just yet.
“We have gone into our preparation, but I don't need them game-ready right now,” Norvell said Wednesday. “ It's 7 p.m.
Saturday night. So, if you're willing to invest, you're willing to push, you're willing to challenge yourself, there are going to be mistakes.
There's going to be faults, and you know what? You grow through those.”
That mindset has carried into the locker room, where senior wide receiver Duce Robinson said Norvell’s daily message has been about being at your best right now, not waiting for kickoff to flip the switch.
“Coach Norvell tells us every single day that he doesn't need us to be game-ready yet, but the desire is for us to be our best today,” Robinson said.
“We'll use these next two or three days to continue being our best and continue getting better and better so that once Saturday at 7 p.m. rolls around, we're going to be at our very, very best. I can't wait to get out there, but I think there's something very valuable within this week because it can be used for so much good. It's truly been a great week.”
Norvell said he likes where his team is headed, but he keeps steering the conversation back to the next step, not the final result. The seventh-year coach wants Florida State focused on the work in front of it, trusting that the buildup will show once the lights come on.
“I think the guys are in a good place, but part of my challenge to them was just to continue to focus on this step that's with us today,” Norvell said. “Let's build, and Lord willing, we'll all get tomorrow. Let's go and be better then.”
When Saturday night arrives, Norvell wants the week’s preparation to show up the way it should.
“Come Saturday night when we get the opportunity to kick it off,” Norvell said, “let's go put on a show.”
Florida State’s 2026 schedule begins with New Mexico State on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. on the CW, followed by SMU on Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. The Seminoles have a bye on Sept. 13 before traveling to Alabama on Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
The rest of the schedule includes Central Arkansas on Sept. 26, Virginia on Oct. 3, a Friday road trip to Louisville on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. on ESPN, a trip to Miami on Oct. 17, a bye on Oct.
24, Clemson on Oct. 31, Boston College on Nov. 7, a Friday game at Pittsburgh on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. on ESPN, NC State on Nov. 21 and Florida on Nov. 27 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
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