If you were to put a finger on the pulse in Tallahassee while uttering the words “three-straight losses,” it would likely explode and pile into Tennessee Street, scattered among the tailgate smoke and frustration of a fanbase that\u2019s tired of hearing about potential instead of production.<\/p>\n
Granted that Florida State’s .500 season has been filled with blowouts over Kent State and East Texas A&M, a stunning victory over No. 8 Alabama, but also dimmed by one-score losses to Virginia, Miami, and Pitt.<\/p>\n
The Seminoles go on the road this weekend to face Stanford, and people who grew up in the 1990s watching Florida State would likely scoff that a game against the Cardinal is a must-win, alas, but here we are.<\/p>\n
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Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images \/ Melina Myers-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
David Ubben of The Athletic recently released a list<\/a> of teams that likely feel hopeless midseason due to wins and losses over respective coaching tenures. After going 2-10 in 2024 and now 3-3, 0-3 ACC, the Seminoles nearly topped the chart at No. 3. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Former FSU football star signs with Super Bowl contender<\/a><\/p>\n “The rebooted Noles brought in Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and Tommy Castellanos at quarterback and showed promise with a physically imposing, season-opening win over Alabama,” Ubben wrote.<\/p>\n “But the Noles\u2019 best win since has been over Kent State, and they\u2019re now\u00a0riding a three-game skid, with home losses to rival Miami and Pitt. Now, the program is wrestling with wondering whether a magical 2023 was an outlier. It\u2019s the only time in six seasons a Mike Norvell team has lost fewer than three ACC games.”<\/p>\n Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis (9) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images \/ Melina Myers-Imagn Images<\/p>\n This isn’t to say that Florida State hasn’t been productive. They have one of the top offenses<\/a> in the country, averaging 536 yards per game. Led by quarterback Tommy Castellanos and a powerful rushing attack, the offense has accounted for 35 touchdowns this season at an efficient 7.33 yards per play. <\/p>\n Still, as the pressure cooker inside the Moore Athletic Center begins to heat up, these games that FSU should be winning (and aren’t) are starting to pile up.<\/p>\n “Moving on from Norvell would come at the low, low price of $53 million,” Ubben continued. “Is there any oil hiding under the Earth\u2019s crust in Tallahassee?”<\/p>\n At some point, the conversation has to shift from \u201cwhat this team could be\u201d to \u201cwhat this team is.\u201d Stanford isn\u2019t Alabama, and it isn\u2019t Miami. However, another loss this weekend only moves the volume closer to full capacity, adding to the noise brewing in Tallahassee and strengthening the portion of the fan base looking for change.<\/p>\n How to watch Florida State vs. Stanford: Kickoff time, TV channel, and odds<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0NoleGameday\u00a0for more\u00a0FREE coverage of Florida State<\/a>\u00a0Football throughout the 2025 season<\/p>\n Follow NoleGameday on and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0TikTok<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n