(This is the last in a three-part series on Florida’s Big Three – Florida, Miami and FSU. Today, FSU)
FSU’s Mike Norvell is in a tough spot. He’s done just enough to keep his job (so far) but not enough to keep Seminole fans satisfied. So he’s going big on the 2026 season because, well, he has to.
Speaking at the recent ACC media days, Norvell had nothing but positives to say about his team. “We understand that with the talent that we have, I’m not going to put any limits on what this football team can accomplish and what we can do,” Norvell said.
And “We understand the expectation. There’s no person or place that has higher expectations than we have being part of this program.”
And “It’s an exciting team, one that understands all that’s in front of us. We have a great opportunity, a great platform.”
Norvell has to hint at the ability of his ‘Noles to win championships – now – because that’s the standard at FSU, or at least it used to be. And he’s had five years now to show people he can do it. Time is running out.
Trouble is, most people aren’t buying what he’s selling. Virtually no one, not even in Tallahassee, expects FSU to compete for anything. It simply isn’t relevant in college football anymore. And that really stings with its fans and the decision makers who run the program.
So Norvell is making one last, determined attempt to end the skepticism. To hear Norvell tell it, This team is ready to rumble. It’s better than you think. It has no major weaknesses.
“When you look at our roster, I think in all phases starting in the trenches with the guys up front, four or our six defensive linemen have returned, guys with great talent and ability. And we’ve been able to bring in a couple of newcomers that I think are going to be very dynamic,” Norvell said.
“We have great leadership at the linebacker position, guys that have been through it. Transfers have come in that are very productive, talented players.
“You look in the defensive backfield, I think we have got some great play-makers at that position, guys with versatile skill sets that will allow us to do a lot of different things,” Norvell continued.
“And then offensively, starting up front, we were able to bring in a good group of transfers who have experience coupled with the guys we have who have continued to grow and develop.
“And then just an outstanding group of skill players at the receiving position led by Duce (Robinson), guys like Micahi Danzy, Jayvan Boggs and some really impressive newcomers who have joined the program,” Norvell declared.
One note here. Norvell isn’t laying it on, at least not when it comes to Robinson. He’s almost univerally considered among the top five receivers in college football and a lot of observers would put him in the top three, so at least that’s one thing Norvell has going for him.
But we digress. To continue: “I really love our running back room, running back and tight end room and their versatility, what we’re going to be able to do,” Norvell said. “And they’re surrounded by a quarterback who can make it happen.”
Ah-h-h-h no.
At quarterback, Norvell brought in Ashton Daniels, formerly of Auburn and, before that, Stanford. While Daniels was a prime prospect coming out of high school, he has done nothing since.
It has even been said that the only reason Norvell took Daniels, who Sports Illustrated recently ranked 60th out of the 68 Power Four conference quarterbacks (including Notre Dame) was because he didn’t have enough money to pursue anyone else.
This could be an indication that FSU donors are getting tired of the ‘Noles inability to win on a consistent basis under Norvell, putting him under even more pressure to make a big splash this year.
With solid quarterback play being critical to success in today’s college game, Daniels’ ability to elevate an offense is extremely suspect. SI pointed out that he is a run-first type, not good when virtually all winning teams depend heavily on throwing the ball.
According to SI, Daniels is just 5-18 as a starter and only three of those wins were against Power Four teams. Additionally, he has the same number of touchdowns, 18, as interceptions. And he only averages six yards per attempt, which would have tied him for 99th among all Power Four quarterbacks last year.
As might be expected, Norvell defends Daniels. “I think Ashton is a guy who can really do it all,” he said. “As we talk about experiences, Ashton has a great deal of college experience throughout his college career.
“He’s been put in a lot of different situations that he’s had to work through. You see somebody that’s just continued to grow,” Norvell remarked.
And so, ready or not, here come the ‘Noles. And they better be ready, or else Norvell’s not going to have a job.
