Do the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes Decide Mike Norvell's Fate With the Seminoles?

MIAMI, Fla. – Entering the 2026-27 college football season, Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell was arguably in the hottest seat and a blowout loss to the No. 3 Miami Hurricanes this Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium could be what pushes the situation over the hump.

Coming off a 5-7 (ACC 2-6) season, tensions were high in Tallahassee. However, it’s not simple for the Seminoles to just fire Norvell. He’s under contract until 2031 and the buyout is currently estimated at $51 million. Meanwhile, Florida State’s athletic department is reportedly more than $430 million in debt.

The Seminoles are currently 3-3 (ACC 1-2) this season as Norvell and the travel team head down to South Florida. He hasn’t won a road game since beating the Florida Gators 24-15 on Nov. 25, 2023. The streak could extend at Miami Gardens. The Seminoles are coming off a 44-20 loss to Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium last Friday.

Junior Cardinals running back Isaac Brown had an outstanding performance with 235 yards on 17 carries and two explosive touchdowns – 97 yards in the second quarter, then 68 yards in the fourth.

The Seminoles have a bottom-half (122 of 138) total defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision – 102nd in rushing defense and 43rd most passing yards allowed – meanwhile, the Hurricanes have the highest-scoring offense. The Coral Gables program has averaged 49.6 points through the first five games of the season.

Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah has been remarkable: 112 of 133 passes completed (an FBS-leading 84.2 completion percentage) and thrown for 1,438 yards and 15 touchdowns with no interceptions. Even when facing defensive blitzes, Mensah has proven to be unbothered. He’s completed 43 of 49 passes (87.8 percent) and thrown for 608 yards and nine touchdowns when going up against those situations.

The Seminoles might not have the offensive firepower to make this game a shootout. Although Norvell currently has the 43rd-best rushing offense in FBS, led by sophomore Ousmane Kromah, the Hurricanes are ranked the best run defense. The unit is led by defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman and they have allowed just 213 rushing yards on 116 carries through five games.

It’s a heavy mismatch in favor of the Hurricanes in what could be Norvell’s final time being a part of the historic in-state rivalry on the sidelines. A blowout loss for the Seminoles could be the final nail to the coffin. Kickoff is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.

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