Mike Norvell on opening season vs. Alabama: 'It's a great opener for us'

After a very difficult 2024 season, the Florida State Seminoles are hoping to bounce back in 2025. There’s no easing into the schedule for Mike Norvell, though, as the Seminoles host the Alabama Crimson Tide to open the season.

Florida State isn’t a program unfamiliar with big games early in the season. For Norvell, it’s an opportunity to quickly play an important game and get started on the best note possible.

“It’s a great opener for us,” Mike Norvell said. “You know, college football is different. You kick-off, and every snap matters. Everything that you do, that first game, you have to be ready. I think over the years, our guys have shown in their preparation the importance of the opener. I see nothing different going into this year. Just continued excitement for us to put our best foot forward.”

Florida State has played Power Conference opponents in four out of the last five seasons. That’s the entirety of Norvell’s tenure with the program. It’s a run that has included nearly upsetting Notre Dame in 2021 and adding a marquee win over LSU in 2023. It’s also included multiple losses to Georgia Tech, including last season’s game in Dublin.

“As we talked about earlier, there’s some new faces. Guys that were younger on our team have really pushed themselves to have a position of impact and influence within their position groups inside of ball. But I’m really looking forward to just knowing what’s ahead, just that daily sense of urgency for every play, every meeting, the walkthroughs, I mean every bit of it. I would expect no different if it was playing a different opponent,” Norvell said.

“But this is definitely a privilege to be on that stage, that game, full-capacity Doak-Campbell Stadium. That’s college football.”

After going just 2-10 last season, Florida State is hoping to get back to competing at the top of the ACC. A win over Alabama would go a long way to both build confidence in the building and drawing attention to the program nationally.

Mike Norvell reveals where Thomas Castellanos stands in Florida State quarterback battle

Incoming transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos is looking to win the starting job at Florida State. Now, Mike Norvell shared where he stands in that quarterback battle.

“He’s putting himself in position. You talk about being the starting quarterback, but our expectations for him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Norvell said.

“And that’s one of the challenges. Yes, every guy in that (quarterback) room is competing. Everybody’s trying to push to be the best they can be, but we want to set the highest expectations for what they’re capable of and you just go out every single day and try to live up to that.”