Phil Steele, a longtime college football analyst, has released his early projections for the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference season, placing Florida State in a tie for ninth overall. The forecast comes on the heels of a disappointing 5‑7 campaign in 2025 that forced the program to overhaul both its roster and coaching staff.
The Seminoles’ response has been aggressive. A strong transfer class headlined by quarterback Ashton Daniels, linebacker Chris Jones, offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin and running back Quintrevion Wisner arrives to inject experience and depth. Alongside these additions, head coach Mike Norvell has resumed play‑calling duties, while Tim Harris, Jr. has been promoted to offensive coordinator, reshaping the team’s offensive philosophy.
The Transfer Impact
Steele’s projection aligns with a broader, cautious outlook shared by many oddsmakers and analysts who remain skeptical about the team’s chemistry. Questions linger at the quarterback position, and the schedule presents a gauntlet of formidable opponents that will test the new-look Seminoles early and often.
The ACC slate includes road trips to Pittsburgh and Boston College, as well as home matchups against traditional powerhouses such as Clemson, Miami, Louisville and SMU. These contests will be pivotal in determining whether Florida State can move beyond the middle of the pack and rewrite the narrative surrounding its 2026 campaign.
While the projections place the Seminoles behind teams like Miami, Clemson, SMU and Louisville, the season remains wide open. Performance in those key games could catapult Florida State upward, turning the current ninth‑place tie into a much more ambitious target.