Florida State’s loss to Clemson showed a bigger problem than Xs and Os. It showed the culture of one team and their belief in their mission. The other team was merely going through the motions because they had a schedule. That is more concerning than a singular loss.
This is not a “Fire Mike Norvell” piece; that ship has already sailed. It is a sad situation and a recognition that things have gone way too far. The biggest lessons of the Mike Norvell era are that you cannot transfer tradition, you cannot give some heart, and that what can prop you can also fall upon you.
TALENT VERSUS CULTURE
As with most things in life, having balance pays off. When you hire mercenaries, you learn that they are loyal to themselves or their cause(s). In 2025, the Noles lost 31 transfers and brought in 23, according to On3. It hurt me personally to see Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr. leave, but such is life in the transfer portal. As an aside, I know Seminole Nation saw the catch Malik Benson made to help Oregon put Iowa away on Saturday. (Who was also a transfer in from Alabama) Luke Kromenhoek stands out.
I remember him giving the “I always wanted to be a Nole” speech. That’s the catch, most High School players want to be at the school they choose. As you get more experience, you see players who either chased the money or thought they could advance their career. Of course, you cannot knock that, but it is hard to build that camaraderie needed to match up with teams that accrued their experience together. Clemson, much like Duke Basketball, is a fraternity or “brotherhood” of sorts.
They have been through it all. Florida State, on the other hand, with its collection of talent, has not won a road game since November 2023 in the Swamp. The portal is almost like cooking a meal. The steak is the entrée, and any seasoning is a bonus. Norvell’s approach has been portal first, so things have been too salty to digest. The seasoning outweighs the steak. Edwin Joseph did not help matters with his emoji posted after the game. I cannot prove what the post was in response to, but I do know that Seminole Nation is not in a joking mood.
CAN ANYTHING BE SALVAGED?
Florida State’s last three games are very interesting. Two opponents, Virginia Tech/Florida, have interim coaches as they had had enough and decided to move on from Brent Pry and Billy Napier, respectively. The other NC State has won three straight and five of six against the Noles. At this point, even 3-0 should not save Norvell.
At the end of the season, he will be evaluated, but the biggest stakeholders (the fans) have seen enough. It goes beyond wins and losses. Where is the pride, where is the fire, where is the urgency? Those are traits that flow downward from the Head Coach. This coach is full of platitudes and mere hope. This is not Florida State we are seeing.
Seminole Pride is a thing, and nowadays, the Noles are closer to the dumpster fire of their fierce rival Florida than Ohio State. (Ohio State, which has never beaten Florida State, by the way). In these last few games, fans just want to see that the players care. They want to see buy-in, and they want Norvell to do more than look into the lights.
THE FINAL SPEAR
The future starts now. The coach is a part of it, but the philosophy is what needs to change most. Talent and skill will get you through August and September. It takes buy-in and belief in the coaching staff to suffer through October to persevere through November and beyond. Wins and losses are the end state, but the frustration and overcoming adversity lay the foundation. Simply, Florida State has to find itself again.
For more College Football Analysis Michael can be found on the Sports Reports as Ordered Podcast on YouTube, X, TikTok, and all DSPs.