Florida State football lands in way‑too‑early Top 25

• Florida State is ranked in USA Today's Way-Too-Early Top 25 despite consecutive losing seasons.
• Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels is the projected starting quarterback for the Seminoles.
• Florida State faces a challenging schedule with five road games, including trips to Alabama and Miami.

With the college football season still months away, optimism — and skepticism — are already surfacing around Florida State.

USA TODAY included the Seminoles in its Way‑Too‑Early Top 25 released Monday, signaling cautious belief in a program coming off back‑to‑back losing seasons. The publication framed 2026 as a pivotal year for head coach Mike Norvell, now entering his seventh season after a disappointing 5‑7 finish last fall.

FSU was ranked No. 22 in front of Houston, fellow ACC member Clemson and Boise State. Ohio State was ranked. No. 1, defending national champion Indiana at No. 5 and Miami at No. 6. The Hoosiers beat the Hurricanes 27-21 in last season's national title game.

The Seminoles' ranking hinges largely on change.

Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels emerged from spring practices as the starting quarterback, giving the Seminoles an experienced — if imperfect — option at the game’s most critical position. Daniels brings a lengthy résumé, having started games for two different programs, and will be tasked with steering an offense undergoing a significant reset.

Norvell resumes play‑calling duties following the departure of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, a move that places added pressure on the staff to quickly stabilize an offensive line that lost all five starters from last season. Norvell has spoken consistently throughout the spring about Daniels’ fit within the offense, emphasizing leadership and versatility over gaudy production.

Daniels enters his final season of eligibility with 4,783 career passing yards, 24 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions. He has also proven capable with his legs, rushing for 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns, traits Norvell hopes to maximize. At least he will have Duce Robinson to throw to as his go-to target,

Defensively, improvement will depend on how quickly the Seminoles can integrate new personnel. Defensive coordinator Tony White, in his second season, will rely on a mix of portal additions and returning contributors. Defensive lineman Daniel Lyons and DB Ja’Bril Rawls represent leadership continuity for a unit looking to generate more consistency against conference opponents.

How FSU can get back to winning. Its first road win will tell you

Road performance looms as a defining factor. Florida State finished winless away from Tallahassee a season ago after opening 3‑0 — including a statement victory over Alabama — and climbing into the Top 10. Losses at Virginia and elsewhere unraveled postseason hopes and ultimately defined the year.

That challenge remains. The Seminoles have five road games on the 2026 schedule, including daunting trips to Alabama, Louisville and Miami. How Florida State handles hostile environments may determine whether optimism materializes or fades.

Reaching eight or nine wins would not place Florida State in College Football Playoff contention, but it would mark tangible progress for a program seeking relevance in the national conversation again. For Norvell, Daniels and a roster still searching for identity, the margin between momentum and missed expectations remains thin — and the clock is no longer forgiving.

FSU football 2026 season

• Aug. 29 New Mexico
• Sept. 7 SMU (Monday)
• Bye
• Sept. 19 at Alabama
• Sept. 26 Central Arkansas
• Oct. 3 Virginia
• Oct. 9 at Louisville (Friday)
• Oct. 17 at Miami
• Bye
• Oct. 31 Clemson
• Nov. 7 at Boston College
• Nov. 13 at Pittsburgh (Friday)
• Nov. 21 NC state
• Nov. 27 Florida

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don't hesitate to get in touch with him via email at [email protected] or on X @_Da_pistol.