l walked out of Laborious Rock Stadium with one other loss Saturday evening, however l could have left with one thing virtually as useful.
Time.
i did nothing to enhance their file, but it could have altered the dialog surrounding . As a substitute of trying like a crew able to stop on its coach, FSU fought toe-to-toe with one of many nation's high groups and got here inside a number of performs of pulling off a season-defining upset.
For a coach whose job safety has turn out to be a weekly subject, that issues.
Some believed Norvell's destiny was successfully sealed after With FSU struggling by means of one other disappointing season, there have been requires the administration to maneuver on regardless of a buyout that continues to be a big .
Saturday's efficiency sophisticated that narrative.
The Seminoles didn’t play like a crew that had tuned out its head coach. They performed with power, confidence and resilience in opposition to their greatest rival on one among faculty soccer's greatest phases. n, there was a constant theme all through his tenure: when his again is in opposition to the wall, he usually will get his crew's greatest effort.
That was evident in opposition to Miami.
Few outdoors the FSU locker room gave the Seminoles a lot likelihood of competing, not to mention forcing extra time in opposition to a top-three opponent. But FSU put itself in place to win. If Norvell survives the scrutiny that may accompany the bye week, Saturday served as proof that there’s nonetheless life in a season many had already declared lifeless.
That doesn’t imply the criticism ought to disappear.
Mile Norvell's greatest situation stays the identical
Twice contained in the Miami 5-yard line, FSU got here away with nothing after failed fourth-down makes an attempt. The aggressive calls mirrored the boldness Norvell has at all times proven as a play-caller, however in addition they strengthened a irritating development.
Sooner or later, taking the factors issues.
The identical dialog surfaced after the Louisville loss. It resurfaced once more after Miami.
Analytics can justify aggression. Gamers usually embrace it as a result of it alerts belief and confidence. However the closing rating is what issues, and in a sport that e, six factors left on the sphere grew to become not possible to disregard.
That’s the reason a lot of the postgame dialogue centered on the "what ifs."
What if e kicks the sphere objectives? What if the Seminoles take the factors and power Miami to chase the sport? What if one choice modifications the result and delivers the largest victory of the Norvell period?
These questions won’t ever be answered.
As a substitute, FSU returns to Tallahassee at 3-4, nonetheless trying to find consistency and nonetheless carrying an unsightly highway dropping streak. y.
The Seminoles enter a bye week with Clemson looming on Halloween. Whereas the Tigers current one other problem, FSU ought to enter the sport believing it will possibly compete. A victory would transfer the Seminoles again to .500 and create a sensible path towards bowl eligibility.
Past Clemson, Florida State nonetheless has alternatives in opposition to Pitt, e, NC State and Florida. The October gauntlet has been troublesome, however the Seminoles have proven sufficient over the previous two weeks to counsel the season is just not past restore.
And that’s the reason firing Norvell now would really feel untimely.
This isn’t about giving him the good thing about the doubt.
Outcomes nonetheless matter, and FSU in the end will probably be judged by wins and losses. However after watching his crew battle Miami for 4 quarters and two overtimes, there’s professional motive to let the season play out earlier than making a closing judgment.
Norvell stays below stress, and one spirited efficiency doesn’t erase months of frustration. However FSU's loss to Miami revealed one thing necessary: the Seminoles are nonetheless combating for his or her coach.
Whether or not that interprets into victories over the ultimate stretch stays to be seen. For now, although, the efficiency in Miami did greater than present hope for the rest of the season. It possible purchased Norvell what he wanted most: one other likelihood to show he deserves to steer FSU past it.
Florida State 2026 schedule
- Aug. 29: vs.e,7
- Sept. 7: vs.U,4
- Sept. 13: Bye
- Sept. 19: ata,6
- Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, 7
- Oct. 3: vs.a, 7
- Oct. 9: ate,
- Oct. 17: ati, 43-35
- Oct. 24: Bye
- Oct. 31: vs.n, TBD
- Nov. 7: at, TBD
- Nov. 13: ath, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)
- Nov. 21: vs.e, TBD
- Nov. 27: vs.a, 3:30 p.m. (ABC, Friday)
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Large Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. Should you'd prefer to pitch a narrative on a highschool athlete, don't hesita
This text initially appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: s