Florida State technically got exactly what it needed Saturday night.
A win.
But if you actually watched the Seminoles’ 34-17 victory over New Mexico State, it’s hard to come away feeling much better about Mike Norvell and the direction of this program.
The final score makes this game look far more comfortable than it actually was.
Florida State was favored by more than 30 points, yet New Mexico State cut the lead to just 17-10 in the third quarter. It was also still only a 10-point game with less than five minutes remaining.
That’s a problem.
Especially considering the pressure already surrounding Norvell entering this season.
Florida State is coming off consecutive losing seasons and went just 7-17 over the previous two years, including a disastrous 2-10 season in 2024.
This was supposed to be an opportunity to show everyone that 2026 would be different.
Instead, we got more questions.
New Mexico State finished with 319 total yards, threw for 272 yards and converted 10 of its 17 third-down opportunities. Florida State only outgained the Aggies by 100 total yards despite the massive talent difference between the two programs.
Even Norvell admitted afterward that there was plenty to fix, pointing toward miscommunications, penalties and blown coverages.
There were certainly positives.
Florida State rushed for 217 yards, Ousmane Kromah went for 115 yards and the Seminoles held New Mexico State to just 47 rushing yards.
But we’re well past the point where simply beating New Mexico State should make anyone feel good about Florida State.
Norvell needs to win this year.
The undefeated 2023 season feels like a lifetime ago.
Florida State has completely collapsed since then, and after back-to-back losing seasons, there really aren’t many excuses left.
And the schedule is about to get much more difficult.
The Seminoles host No. 19 SMU on Monday night in their ACC opener, meaning we’ll find out very quickly whether Saturday was simply an ugly first game or a sign of much bigger problems.
Because if Florida State plays the way it did against New Mexico State when the Seminoles start facing legitimate competition, this season could unravel quickly.
A 34-17 victory looks perfectly fine in the standings.
The actual performance was anything but convincing.
Mike Norvell survived the opener.
Now we’ll find out whether Florida State is actually any better.
Because if it isn’t, this could be a very long season in Tallahassee.
