Prediction: Florida State Football to Finish Season 8-4

The 2026 Florida State football schedule ischallenging to say the least, with four teams currently ranked in the Top 25Coaches Poll, plus another that won nine games last season.

The Seminoles will be talented on both sides of theball, and according to all reports, are buying in to the winning culture andmindset reset. That has been the hallmark of Florida State football for decadesbefore Mike Norvell became head coach.

Here is a look at that brutal schedule and how theSeminoles will navigate it this season.

The Seminoles are batting .500 in season openers sincethe 2020 season, with three wins and three losses. The Aggies are 26-38 overthe past five seasons and will be outmatched in this one. This is one of thosegames Florida State should win. Prediction: Win.

Week2: No. 20 SMU, 9/7

This year’s version of the Mustangs is in the uppertier of the ACC, along with Miami. Under coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU has won 70percent of their games (38-16). The Mustangs return their starting quarterback,Kevin Jennings, and add some talent at key positions via the transfer portal.Prediction: Loss.

Week 4:at No. 11 Alabama, 9/19

After a bye week, the Seminoles take the collegefootball equivalent of a death march when they travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama.The lowest-ranked Crimson Tide team to start the season since 2008, Alabama haslost only two home games since the 2023 season. The Crimson Tide defense willbe like a stone wall in this one. Prediction: Loss.

Week5: Central Arkansas, 9/26

An FCS opponent, the Bears are probably stillsuffering from shell-shock after losing their opener last season to Missouri61-6. This is a game that Florida State needs to keep their foot on the gas anddominate on both sides of the ball. Prediction: Win.

The ACC runner-up last season, the Cavaliers set aschool record with 11 wins. Virginia returns 15 starters from last year’s squad,including an offensive line that boasts 165 career starts. But they start aquarterback whose most productive season to date was last year, when he threwalmost as many interceptions (9) as he did TD passes (11). The Cavaliers alsolost a 1,000-yard rusher who scored 14 rushing touchdowns. Prediction: Win

The Cardinals narrowly missed being ranked in the Top25 Coaches Poll. Going into his fourth season at his alma mater, head coach JeffBrohm has led Louisville to 28 wins and has won 70 percent of his games. Theywill start yet another transfer at quarterback, inexperienced Lincoln Kienholzfrom Ohio State. Louisville does return dynamic running back Isaac Brown, whoaveraged 8.75 yards per carry. Prediction: Loss.

Week8: at No. 7 Miami, 10/17

The Hurricanes are the national runner-up, afterlosing at home in the national championship game to the Indiana Hoosiers. Miamiis loaded on offense this season, returning receiver Malachi Toney and runningback Mark Fletcher. Coach Mario Cristobal raided the transfer portal to bring Dukequarterback Darian Mensah and his receiver, Cooper Barkate, to Miami. This onewill not be close. Prediction: Loss.

Week 10:No. 23 Clemson, 10/31

In Norvell’s tenure, the Seminoles have beaten Clemsonjust one time. Last season was a very un-Clemson like season for the Tigers,finishing 7-6. Then they lost nine players to the NFL Draft. This season, coachDabo Swinney will start a young, inexperienced signal-caller behind center. OnHalloween night, the war chant will be loud and proud at Doak Campbell Stadium,and will be a force multiplier. Prediction: Win.

The Seminoles have won five of the last six meetingsagainst Boston College. Make it six of the last seven. Prediction: Win.

Week12: at Pitt, 11/13

This game last season was one of those four closelosses that have been chronicled. The Panthers return quarterback Mason Heintschel,who will operate behind an offensive line that has 127 starts to its credit.But it will not be enough as the Seminoles figure out how to beat Pitt.Prediction: Win.

Week13: NC State, 11/21

In the Norvell era, the Seminoles have not beaten theWolfpack. NC State does return dynamic quarterback CJ Bailey, who threw for3,105 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. They lose running backHollywood Smothers, who transferred to Texas. The Seminoles get the job done athome. Prediction: Win.

Week14: Florida, 11/27

In one of the most hotly-contested, heated rivalriesin college football, the Florida Gators have won five of the last sevenmeetings, including the last two matchups. Florida will have a new coach and anew quarterback. On the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday,Seminoles fans will be feasting on left over turkey, with a side of friedalligator. Prediction: Win.

Florida State improves by three in the win column overlast season to finish 8-4, and post their first winning season since 2023.

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