Florida State must have a bounce-back season in 2026, and everyone in the program knows it. Head coach Mike Norvell has made it a priority to find different ways to improve this team, and senior receiver Duce Robinson believes they have taken strides.
When speaking to the media on Aug. 26, Robinson said that in 2025, Florida State had a skilled team but they consistently hurt themselves on game day. He thinks things are different this year because of their attention to detail and eagerness for little things, per John Evans of Noles247.
Time will only tell when the games kick off, but if that's true, the Seminoles should increase their win total, and there are reasons to believe.
Florida State fans have a new reason to believe after Duce Robinson's comments
Last season, the Seminoles finished with a 5-7 record, but they had four one-score losses (Virginia, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Stanford). The Miami loss was more of a garbage-time comeback, but the other three losses could have easily gone the other way. With a few plays going in Florida State's favor, they could have had multiple W's in the win column.
In 2025, Florida State was ranked 17th in the country by Net adjusted EPA/play and No. 28 by net success rate, according to gameonpaper.com. In addition to that, fourthandshort.com's luck rating gave Florida +1.5 more wins than they finished with.
The combination of the mistakes they made on the field with other factors that came out, Florida State could have secured more wins last season, but Robinson feels like that can change.
He also told Evans that he wants to bring some physicality to his bag while improving his route running and releases off the line. Robinson has his own areas he wants to improve, but at the same time, Norvell has made it his mission to get the rest of the team ready.
They can't repeat the same mistakes they made last year if they want to increase their win total, and they understand that. FanDuel Sportsbook has listed the Seminoles over/under at 5.5. That goes to show how the betting markets view Florida State going into the year.
That doesn't mean anything to those inside the building, though. Blocking out the outside noise is how the best teams produce, and identifying clear areas where they need to get better.
It won't be easy for the Seminoles, as they have the hardest schedule in the ACC this fall. Regardless, that won't be an excuse. Florida State believes they have the team to make steps forward, and Robinson will be someone they lean upon.
If they can find ways to limit mistakes and become a better road team, the arrow will continue to point up. The last time they won a road game was in Nov. 2023 against Florida. That is far too long and plays a role in why they are being doubted.
Aug. 29 against New Mexico State is the start of turning this ship around, and it'll be interesting to see how they come out in that contest and the remaining games following.
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