Mike Norvell Says He Doesn’t Fear Failure. Florida State’s Schedule Might Change That.

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell stood at ACC Media Days and said something that sounds good in a press conference. “I don’t fear failure. I never have,” he told reporters, via On3 Sports. “I do fear regret.”

That quote lands a little differently when you look at where the Seminoles actually are right now. After a 13-1 season in 2023 that looked like the program had finally turned a corner, Florida State has gone a combined 7-17 over the last two years. They started last season by beating Alabama in the opener, then stumbled to a 5-7 finish. Most people around college football figured Norvell would be gone by December. Instead, the school brought him back for year seven.

So yeah, the seat is warm. Maybe hot. If the Seminoles come out flat this fall, a midseason change wouldn’t shock anybody. But Norvell insists he’s not thinking about that.

The Quarterback Problem Nobody Solved

Here’s the thing about Florida State’s roster: there’s real talent in spots. Duce Robinson is a legitimate star at wide receiver. But the glaring hole is at quarterback, and it’s been that way for a while now.

The plan right now is to start Ashton Daniels, who transferred in from Auburn. Daniels spent time at Stanford before that. At Auburn last season, he had Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. to throw to — two very good receivers — and still couldn’t get the passing game going consistently. Banking on him to suddenly figure it out at Florida State is a gamble. Not the smart kind either.

A Schedule That Could Flip the Script Early

Even if Daniels surprises people, the schedule is brutal. Florida State opens at home against New Mexico State on August 29, which should be fine. Then it’s back-to-back games against SMU and Alabama. Road trips to Louisville and Miami are on there too. Clemson comes to Tallahassee.

That’s the kind of stretch where things can get away from you fast. Norvell doesn’t necessarily need a College Football Playoff bid to keep his job. But he does need Florida State to be in the ACC title conversation deep into November. Given the schedule and the questions at quarterback, that’s far from guaranteed.

One thing is for sure though. Regret might not scare Mike Norvell. But losing to Alabama again? That’s a different kind of feeling.