Mike Norvell heads to 2026 on the hot seat. Time to see if the newly released schedule from the ACC can promise improvement.
Florida State football and its fans now know the order of the 2026 schedule.
The Atlantic Coast Conference unveiled the upcoming slate on Monday. Fortunately for the Seminoles, they face just two College Football Playoff teams -- one they beat already in Alabama.
But does this '26 slate assure a return for Mike Norvell ahead of 2027? Here's a comprehensive breakdown:
1 -- Florida State only faces four sub .500 teams from this past season
One is the Aug. 29 opener against New Mexico State, which likely will have the 'Noles enter Doak Campbell Stadium as a heavy favorite.
Then it ends against a Florida team transitioning to Jon Sumrall...who'll pull into Tallahassee for the annual rivalry contest.
The other winnable games? Sept. 26 against Football Championship Subdivision challenger Central Arkansas (3-9 last season) and the Nov. 7 date against Boston College (2-10 this past season).
2 -- September still presents big tests
Following the NMSU opener, Florida State dips right into ACC play.
But first on deck? New conference power SMU -- in what becomes the first Tallahassee trip for the Mustangs.
SMU already has tasted the 12-team College Football Playoff format before FSU has. The Mustangs have gone 20-7 overall including an impressive 14-2 in ACC games since their arrival to the conference.
Following an early Sept. 12 bye, the 'Noles then head to Tuscaloosa with the Crimson Tide having revenge on their minds. 'Bama rises as the first CFP foe the 'Noles must face out the gate.
3 -- October presents additional brutal stretch
Virginia heads to Doak Campbell to kick off this month on Oct. 3. The Same Cavaliers team that stunned FSU in Charlottesville -- ultimately causing the Seminoles' season to unravel.
But then FSU operates on a short week from there, with a trip to Louisville next up for a Friday night game. The Cardinals lost four ACC games last year -- but went 9-4 overall.
Then on Oct. 17 it's the road trip down south to face national title game runner-up Miami. FSU closes the month with hosting Clemson for a Halloween showdown.
FSU must find a way to win at least two of these games to assure the fan base that they're a bowl contender. Going 0-3 here will definitely cause the fans to turn on Norvell.
4 -- Schedule lightens 'somewhat' for FSU
November doesn't look like a rigid final stretch for now.
Only Pittsburgh and North Carolina State are the winning teams FSU meet -- as both went 8-5 in 2025.
As mentioned above, Boston College and the Gators are part of the November slate.
5 -- Overall, early projected record?
FSU still faces eight bowl teams from this past season...which doesn't promise an early cupcake schedule for the 'Noles.
Road contests down in Tuscaloosa and Miami already look challenging. Even home contests against SMU and Virginia aren't guaranteeing wins either.
A 6-6 campaign looks modest at best. But Florida State must win seven or higher to keep Norvell from clearing out his coach's office to make room for someone else.
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