Florida State football will be around the corner before we know it. Today will make it twenty-one Saturdays away from the 2025 season opener versus the Alabama Crimson Tide.
There is pressure surrounding head football coach Mike Norvell to succeed since his squad struggled tremendously during the 2024 season. Most individuals (besides ESPN's Paul Finebaum and Greg McElroy) hope this was a one-off year for such a proud football program.
Florida State had numerous significant changes this offseason (obviously). There had to be some sort of change after what transpired. One notable difference was the fact that Norvell hired six new assistant coaches.
The biggest talking point of the season was the fact that he hired former UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn to be his offensive coordinator. His offenses have been successful wherever he goes, especially when they are running the football.
Scoring 15 points per game in 2024 was unacceptable for Florida State. Given the amount of talent that surrounds the state of Florida, that should have never happened. However, the harsh reality of that it did.
Florida State football got so caught up in the College Football Playoff snub in 2023 that it allowed it to linger into their play to a degree. While they might say that it had nothing to do with it, it is part of human nature to prove others wrong and better yourself.
In 2025, the Seminoles are sitting away from the spotlight with no expectations. There are media individuals out there who have no idea what Florida State will look like. Then Norvell and the university decided to limit media access (which I don't mind). So those will be affected as well.
When fans fill into the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium, there will be a sense of cautious eagerness because Florida State football is here, but Norvell is flying under the radar in one of the more pivotal years of his tenure.