Florida State opened its 2026 campaign with a 34‑17 triumph over New Mexico State, comfortably covering the 31.5‑point spread despite a late rally that saw the Aggies cut the deficit to ten points in the fourth quarter.
A Rocky Start for the Seminoles
While the margin of victory suggested a straightforward win, the game exposed several worrying trends: Florida State surrendered 272 passing yards, managed only a 100‑yard advantage overall, and turned the ball over twice, including an interception on the opponent’s opening drive and a dropped touchdown pass in the second half.
CBS Sports analyst Cody Nagel amplified the concerns, naming head coach Mike Norvell a loser and questioning his job security after the team failed to dominate either side of the ball.
The criticism comes at a pivotal moment, with the Seminoles set to face SMU on Monday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, a matchup that will test whether the early‑season wobbles were a blip or a sign of deeper issues as the ACC schedule looms.