Florida State University’s football program will open the 2026 season on August 29 against New Mexico State, a matchup that has already sparked conversation about the future of head coach Mike Norvell.
Bowl Outlook and Analyst Projections
Analysts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach have placed the Seminoles in projections for either the Gasparilla Bowl or the Military Bowl, envisioning a potential showdown with the USF Bulls.
For Norvell, a 6‑6 record would be the threshold to retain his position, a benchmark that has eluded the program since the 2023 campaign.
The Bulls, led by former FSU quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, carry a 3‑1 edge in the series but famously upset the Seminoles in 2016, adding a layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash.
Brian Hartline, who succeeded Alex Golesh as USF’s head coach, inherits a team that has already shaken up its staff, while FSU’s schedule also features contests against Alabama, Virginia, Clemson, Boston College, Pitt and Florida, punctuated by Family Weekend and Homecoming festivities.
Beyond the win‑loss ledger, the Seminoles are aiming to snap a bowl‑game drought and rekindle the momentum that once defined their national relevance.