SEC sweep could mean Florida State is back
Florida State hasn't had a winning season since 2017 under Jimbo Fisher. In the third year of Mike Norvell's program rebuild, the Seminoles are 8-3, begging the question: Is the former national powerhouse finally back?
In December 2019, after leading Memphis to an 11-1 season and a Cotton Bowl berth, Norvell took over at Florida State for Willie Taggart, who went 11-14 in two seasons. Norvell's first two seasons at FSU were actually worse. He went 8-13, including the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
"I remember my first year here," Norvell mused to ACC reporters Tuesday (h/t 24/7Sports). "There had been three head coaches and I want to say eight different coordinators in a couple year period of time. That's hard on any individual.
"You think about that much change... we tried to be as consistent as we could be, as a coaching staff, at setting a standard for them to understand the values of what we were going to live by, an identity of what we want for this football team."
Despite Norvell's poor record over the first two seasons, Florida State's board of trustees saw promise in Norvell's recruiting efforts and ability to shape the team's identity. In 2021, the school signed the coach to a contract extension. Norvell rewarded their faith.
Having defeated LSU already this season, the Seminoles aim to sweep the Southeastern Conference portion of their schedule with a win Saturday over Florida.
That win over LSU looks better every week, as the Tigers have risen to No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings
A win Saturday also would put FSU a bowl win from its first 10-win season since 2016.
In addition to the Seminoles ACC-leading defense, this sort of benchmark for Norvell signals the turnaround could be real.
"If you want to show you're back, go win every game and get better every week and with every practice," Norvell told ESPN. "That's what you have to do. I'm glad our guys are excited about the steps we've taken. But if we don't continue to take steps, then none of that is going to matter."
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