FSU football: Top 10 most important wins in Mike Norvell era

Bonus Mention-North Carolina 2020

This game against No. 5 North Carolina in 2020 was the highlight of a dreadful season. Admittedly, North Carolina's ranking was inflated due to circumstances, but FSU had lost its first two games under Mike Norvell in devastating fashion. They blew a halftime lead against Georgia Tech in the opener and got smoked by Miami 52-10 in the second game(though Norvell didn't coach because he had COVID). A loss against Notre Dame the week before meant FSU's only win was a come-from-behind win over Jacksonville State.

FSU was a huge betting underdog against North Carolina and former FSU QB commit Sam Howell, who came into the game winners of their first three games. The Noles exploded on the Tarheels, building a 24-0 lead and an eventual 31-7 halftime lead. It was a party inside Doak Campbell Stadium, but the fans had to hold their breath as North Carolina mounted a comeback in the second half. The FSU offense went scoreless in the second half but managed to hold on for a 31-28 win. FSU only won one other game that season, but it provided a glimpse of what was possible at a time when nothing seemed to go right for the Noles.