FSU football resets the bar and sends a message: The standard is back

Everything we thought we knew about FSU football changed Saturday afternoon. The rather safe projections of somewhere between 6-6 and 8-4 were universally acknowledged going into Saturday.

The belief was that the Seminoles had four layups on the schedule (East Texas A&M, Kent State, Stanford and Wake Forest) and the “big four” (Alabama, Miami, Clemson and Florida) were going to be tough to win. 

Now the expectations have changed. It turns out the standard is still the standard and now that we’ve seen what FSU can be this season, there’s no turning back. 

Norvell understands that now more than ever. Very few coaches get a chance to reset and Norvell got that opportunity. It doesn’t matter if it was because of a $60 million buyout or because the administration had faith in him. He knew he was getting a second chance to show he can take FSU football where it wants to go.

“It was a great feeling tonight because Florida State matters to me, and I know what this program means to people that I care so much about and those past players and everybody that’s poured all of it into it,” Norvell said in his post-game press conference. “I’ve got a job to do, and I’m going to do everything in my power to represent this job the right way and the way it deserves to be represented.”

What’s next: Top 10 ranking? Playoffs? It’s all on the table

​I also believe FSU will be in the top 25 rankings when they are released on Tuesday. The next two games are complete layups (East Texas A&M and Kent State) and the Seminoles will almost certainly be a top-15 ranked team when they play Virginia on the road to end the month. 

Those “big four” games don’t seem as tough anymore. Clemson lost last night to LSU. I think the Tigers are still very good, but they are beatable. FSU is undefeated at Doak against Miami under Norvell. Who knows what Florida will look like three months from now? 

And the fans? They are ready.

It’s going to be a wild ride this season. Buckle up, because who knows where this freight train from Tallahassee will end up.