Dejection hangs heavy over Doak Campbell Stadium these days. The once-proud Florida State Seminoles, ranked 10th in preseason polls with championship aspirations, find themselves mired in a shocking 1-6 hole. As rival Miami looms, head coach Mike Norvell is tasked with picking up the pieces and forging a path forward.
A Season of Setbacks
The Seminoles’ season began inauspiciously with a stunning loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin. A subsequent ACC defeat to Boston College sent alarm bells ringing in Tallahassee. The lingering sting of last year’s playoff snub seemed to cast a pall over the program, sapping the team’s swagger.
We’ve not handled some of the challenges or some of the results very well this year. The mental part of it has fallen on us.
Mike Norvell, Florida State Head Coach
Last week brought rock bottom, as FSU fell to Duke for the first time ever. The loss laid bare the cracks in a once-formidable foundation.
Sputtering Offense
Offensive woes have plagued the Seminoles. Receivers have dropped 17 passes, while the O-line has shuffled through nine starters seeking a winning combo. But the spotlight shines hottest on the quarterbacks.
True freshman Luke Kromenhoek provided a small spark against Duke, leading two scoring drives in relief of starter Brock Glenn. But drops doomed drives, a microcosm of FSU’s snakebit season.
Defensive Growth
Amidst the rubble, Norvell sees signs of life on defense. The unit turned in its best performance yet versus Duke, perhaps a foundation to build upon. But is it too little, too late?
The U Awaits
Saturday brings a date with No. 6 Miami, a 21-point favorite. The Hurricanes are led by QB Cam Ward, a portal prize that Norvell himself pursued. It’s a cruel twist of fate in a season full of them.
But Norvell remains defiant, challenging his team to deliver their best in this rivalry clash. Pride is at stake, even if preseason goals are long dashed.
I know our record is not anything that anybody’s excited about, but we have an opportunity to go play this one, and for us, it’s going to be the best of who we are.
Mike Norvell, Florida State Head Coach
Forging the Future
While the present is bleak, Norvell maintains faith in Florida State’s trajectory. He sees a team that hasn’t quit, that yearns to author a better ending.
“I definitely believe in where this program is going to go,” Norvell affirms. Time will tell if his conviction can carry the Seminoles out of the abyss. For now, the only path is forward, one step at a time, starting under the Miami lights.
