When Will Enough Be Enough for Florida State and Norvell?

I’m struggling to find the words to describe how angry, frustrated, disappointed and fed-up Florida State Seminole fans must be after a 44-20 loss to Louisville.

After a hot start and building a 14-0 lead, Florida State had a chance to make it a three-score game. But instead of trying to extend its lead to 17 points with a field goal, Mike Norvell kept the offense out there on a fourth-and-goal.

The Seminoles started hot and built a 14-0 lead, with a golden opportunity to make it a three-score game. 

But instead of putting the ball in the hands of two of Florida State’s biggest offensive threats, Ashton Daniels and Ousmane Kromah, Norvell opted for a quick pass to true freshman Jasen Lopez with three yards needed to reach the end zone.

Lopez went nowhere. And what happened next changed the entire game.

On the next play, Louisville’s Isaac Brown ripped off a 97-yard touchdown run, bringing the crowd back to life and shifting momentum to the Cardinals.

Louisville responded with 35 unanswered points, turning Florida State’s promising start into yet another road collapse.

“That game is that game and honestly it sucked I can’t tell you anything different,” Norvell said.

A 14-point swing turned a game that looked like it would end Norvell’s streak of more than 1,000 days without a road win into another disappointing loss.

What a difference a week can make.

Six days ago, Florida State appeared to be turning a corner after earning what felt like its first signature win in years against Virginia. With Louisville coming off two straight losses, Norvell had an opportunity to build on that momentum and change the narrative surrounding his future.

Six days later, after another embarrassing loss, Norvell’s name will likely shoot back up the coaching hot seat rankings after dropping off over the past few weeks.

Louisville felt like a reflection of Norvell’s tenure at Florida State.

The Seminoles showed early promise, giving fans hope that the program could get back on track, much like the optimism surrounding the team after the successful 2022 and 2023 seasons. But, as has happened so many times under Norvell, Florida State fell short when it mattered most.

Once again, Norvell’s team left the field with more questions than answers, leaving fans wondering how many more disappointing losses it will take before enough is enough.

With a trip to south Florida against No. 4 Miami next week, Norvell has little room for error after another collapse.

At some point, words have to translate into results, and opportunities must turn into wins.

Under Norvell, it has come to this point.

If Norvell leaves Hard Rock Stadium with a fourth loss before the calendar turns to November, and if Florida State’s performance resembles what fans saw against Louisville, Alabama or SMU, the question may no longer be when enough will be enough.

Instead, it could become which account the roughly $49 million buyout should be sent to.