Few people thought Florida State would go unbeaten again in the Atlantic Coast Conference and easily make it into the 12-team College Football Playoff, especially after losing key players like quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Trey Benson, receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, and several standout defenders.
However, no one expected this situation.
The Seminoles are winless after three games due to an inconsistent passing game, a slow-running attack, and a defense that struggles to stop the run and apply consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Now, FSU, which was ranked No. 10 at the start of the season, is clearly the most disappointing team in college football. And despite the performances of teams like Clemson, Florida, and Kansas, the gap is significant.
“I know that it’s a frustrating thing to sit there and look at, and it’s frustrating for everybody involved, for those guys that are out there playing,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said Monday.
“They want more. They want to be better. They’re working hard at it. But it’s some of those little things that we have to improve on and just the consistency of it.”
The only thing Florida State has managed to do consistently this season is lose—twice as a double-digit favorite (to Georgia Tech and Boston College) and once as a 6 1/2-point favorite against Memphis. Memphis got a win against their former coach and a $1.3 million payout.
How Florida State ended up in this position is easier to understand than how they might turn things around.
Some people think last year’s CFP snub might be affecting the team more than expected. However, those close to the team say it’s more about execution and team chemistry than psychological factors or past history.
Florida State lost 10 players to the NFL draft, including five who were picked in the first 64 selections.
Norvell sought help from the transfer portal—a place that had been very beneficial in building last year’s unbeaten team—but former Oregon State and Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has not lived up to expectations.
Uiagalelei has been very inconsistent, completing 56.6% of his passes with just one touchdown, leading FSU fans to start cheering for backup Brock Glenn.
What was once a discussion about whether Florida State would make the playoff has now shifted to whether they will be able to qualify for a bowl game. Finding six wins on their schedule is proving tough, and the challenge continues this Saturday when California (3-0) comes cross-country for its ACC debut.
Despite Norvell and his staff focusing on details and basics during a bye week before playing Memphis, there was little improvement, and the Seminoles lost 20-12.
Florida State has become the first team in college football history to start the season ranked in the top 10 and then lose its first three games to unranked teams. This decline has led to speculation about Norvell’s future at the university.
If FSU decided to fire Norvell, they would owe him about $65 million, which is 85% of his remaining contract that runs through 2031. Firing him seems unlikely, especially for a program already investing heavily to escape the ACC and possibly join a league with more long-term financial stability.
So, the Seminoles might need to get through this tough season and hope for a better future, with a potential fresh start in 2025.
Florida State is ranked 124th in scoring offense with just 15.3 points per game. The running game, expected to be a strength in 2024, is performing poorly at 2.2 yards per carry and 52 yards per game.
Their defense is allowing 24 points per game, placing them 83rd in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Linebacker Justin Cryer said he feels hurt after Saturday’s latest loss but remains hopeful that the team can turn things around.
“I believe in us,” Cryer said. “There’s no doubt about it. I’m the biggest supporter of us that we have. I’m fully committed, I’m fully bought into what we have. … Things aren’t clicking right now. We’re going to figure it out.”
