TALLAHASSEE — With a roster full of transfer portal talent and a re-made coaching staff, hopes are high in Tallahassee that Florida State’s football program can return to national relevance. The Seminoles followed a sensational — and controversial – 2023 campaign with one of their worst performances in decades in 2024, finishing 2-10 and putting coaches and players alike on the hot seat.
Head coach Mike Norvell enters the 2025 season with renewed hope, as well as heavy scrutiny. This year’s schedule features ACC favorites Clemson and Miami, in addition to the annual regular season finale against in-state rival Florida, giving the Seminoles ample opportunity to make statements on the field.
In addition to a transfer heavy roster, Norvell has added new coordinators on both sides of the ball with college football veterans Gus Malzahn leading the offense and Tony White steering the defense.
The 2025 campaign begins with three consecutive non-conference tilts, headlined by a marquee matchup against preseason Top-10 ranked Alabama to kick off the season. FSU then plays nine ACC foes before finishing the regular season against UF on Thanksgiving weekend.
Aug. 30: FSU 31, Alabama 17
Micahi Danzy showed off his world-class speed on a 32-yard touchdown. © Melina Myers-Imagn Images- Who: Alabama Crimson Tide at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Aug. 30
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- Game story: Call this result an upset if you want — the Seminoles were 2-10 last season and unranked before this game — but FSU outplayed the No. 8 Crimson Tide. An offense led by a host of transfers and a new coordinator — specifically, quarterback Tony Castellanos and coach Gus Malzahn — built a 24-7 second-half lead behind the running game. When Alabama got within seven points in the fourth quarter, FSU clinched the victory with a 75-yard scoring drive.
- W-L: 1-0
Sept. 6: No. 14 FSU 77, East Texas A&M 3
- Who: East Texas A&M Lions at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Saturday, Sept. 6, Noon ET
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- TV: ACCN
- FSU 77, East Texas A&M 3: The party at Doak Campbell Stadium included 11 Seminoles touchdowns, with 21 different offensive players throwing, running or catching the football. The bigger news came the next day. FSU, unranked before the season, is now the No. 10 team in the AP Top 25.
- W-L: 2-0
Sept. 20: Kent State at FSU
- Who: Kent State Golden Flashes at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Saturday, Sept. 20, TBD
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: Led by first-year head coach Mark Carney, the Kent State Golden Flashes are contenders in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Eastern Division. Their squad finished 0-12 in 2024, ending the season in last place in the MAC as the program made a change at head coach in hopes to flip their fortunes.
Sept. 26: FSU at Virginia
- Who: Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Cavaliers
- When: Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va. (Capacity 61,500)
- TV: ESPN
- Meet the Opponent: The Virginia Cavaliers are led by head coach Tony Elliott, who is trying to author a resurgence for the longtime ACC stalwart. The Cavs went 5-7 in 2024, with their 2025 aspirations resting on a revamped offensive attack.
Oct. 4: University of Miami at FSU
Miami quarterback Carson Beck, a transfer from Georgia, led the Canes to a season-opening win against Notre Dame. © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images- Who: University of Miami Hurricanes at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Saturday, Oct. 4, TBD
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: Considered one of the ACC's top contenders, the Canes replaced NFL No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward with Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck.
Oct. 11: Pitt at FSU
- Who: Pittsburgh Panthers at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Saturday, Oct. 11, TBD
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: Longtime head Pat Narduzzi's Panthers lost their final six games of 2024 and finished in 11th place in the ACC.
Oct. 18: FSU at Stanford
- Who: Florida State Seminoles at Stanford Cardinal
- When: Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, Calif. (Capacity 50,424)
- TV: ESPN
- Meet the Opponent: Entering Year Two in the ACC, the Stanford Cardinal are in transition with new football GM Andrew Luck and interim head coach Frank Reich.
Nov. 1: Wake Forest at FSU
- Who: Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Saturday, Nov. 1, TBD
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: The Demon Deacons have been a persistent thorn in the side of ACC rivals. They now are led by first-year head coach Jake Dickert, who joined the program after one year leading the Washington Huskies. In 2024, Wake finished 2-6 in conference and 4-8 overall.
Nov. 8: FSU at Clemson
Any chance at an ACC title will have to go through coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers. © Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images- Who: Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers
- When: Saturday, Nov. 8, TBD
- Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C. (Capacity 81,500)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: The prohibitive preseason ACC favorites, the Clemson Tigers are fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance and appear sufficiently reloaded to challenge again for the conference title. Head coach Dabo Swinney spent the preseason exhibiting the confidence of someone who believes he has a squad capable of winning a National Championship.
Nov. 15: Virginia Tech at FSU
- Who: Virginia Tech Hokies at Florida State Seminoles
- When: Saturday, Nov. 15, TBD
- Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla. (Capacity 79,560)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: Brent Fry enters his fourth year as head coach of the Virginia Tech, which has not played in one of the big bowl games since 2011. The Hokies went 6-7 overall (4-4 ACC) in 2024.
Nov. 21: FSU at N.C. State
- Who: Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers
- When: Friday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, N.C. (Capacity 56,919)
- TV: ESPN
- Meet the Opponent: Dave Doeren is one of the longest-serving head coaches in the ACC, leading the Wolfpack since 2013. N.C. State finished middle of the pack in the conference in 2024, with a 6-7 overall record.
Nov. 29: FSU at Florida
Gators quarterback DJ Lagway. © Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images- Who: Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators
- When: Saturday, Nov. 29, TBD
- Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla. (Capacity 88,548)
- TV: TBD
- Meet the Opponent: Head coach Billy Napier saved his job in 2024 by going 8-5 against one of the toughest schedules in the country. Led by second-year quarterback DJ Lagway, the Florida Gators face another gauntlet — seven schools ranked in the preseason Top 25.
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RAGS TO RICHES IN ONE GAME: What a difference a year makes for the Seminoles. A rebuilt roster beat No. 8 Alabama and permitted fans to forget about 2024's disaster and dream about possibilities. CLICK HERE