Mike Norvell evaluates ‘elite level’ Jordan Travis has reached
The Florida State Seminoles had their way with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on the road Saturday. Florida State one in convincing fashion 41-16, showing the college football world why they are deserving of one of the four seeds in the College Football Playoff picture.
A huge part of Florida State’s success against Wake Forest was courtesy of their Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback, Jordan Travis. After the game, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell shared some thoughts on Travis’s play this season.
“I think Jordan’s playing at an elite level,” said Norvell. “There’s things, from what I know within the offense of what he has to what he’s working and dealing and being able to manage within it; I mean, it’s awesome. He’s got a lot of ownership. There’s a little thing here, a little thing there that we get to continue to work and improve on, but I love the confidence of what he’s bringing. I love the encouragement of his teammates.
“He’s really playing at a high level, and we need him to. This is the time of year where you got to see that continued growth. You know, in his last year, he’s continuing to get better. And I’m grateful for him and all the things that he brings to this football team.”
Norvell shares his message to the players ahead of first CFP rankings
Norvell also discussed how he would handle the first college football playoff ranking reveals with his players and whether or not he would allow them to watch them at all.
“I don’t think it’s real to say, ‘Don’t pay attention.’ You don’t control it,” said Norvell. “Keep going, keep getting better, keep doing the things that we’re doing; go be our best. We can’t force anybody, but they watch, people understand. This team, they’ve been through it. We’ve played a really good schedule. I think every team that we played is at least at least .500 or better. We’ve played a good schedule of opponents, but none of it will matter; all the rankings, all the things that are out there, if we don’t continue to improve.
Currently, in the AP rankings, Florida State is behind the top-seeded Defending national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs, followed by a pair of Big Ten rivals, Michigan and Ohio State. And with Washington’s struggles as of late, coupled with Oklahoma’s upset loss to Kansas on Saturday, it’s likely that Florida State will remain at No. 4. But as Norvell explained, that’s not what his program is focused on right now.