Tag: Mike Norvell

The beginning of the Norvell-Swinney Coaching Rivalry starts Week Four

With Florida State improving, a coaching rivalry is bound to arise.

With so much talk about expansions and teams leaving the conference, the ACC needs something more natural and organic to excite college football fans about the future of the ACC.

What’s a better solution than a coaching rivalry?

The ACC has not seen a noteworthy coaching rivalry since the era of the Bowden Bowl. However, the Jimbo Fisher-Dabo Swinney rivalry in the 2010s ended with a tied record of 4-4. Despite their rivalry, they maintained a respectful relationship, which is why it has been largely forgotten.

As Florida State returns to the national spotlight, a new rivalry between Swinney and Mike Norvell is emerging. This competition begins with recruiting, as Norvell has heavily relied on the transfer portal to revive the Noles, while Swinney prefers to recruit and develop players from within.

Why would this create another chapter in the Clemson-Florida State coaching rivalry? Simple, a Noles win on the backs of a bunch of transfers. It will take something else, too, the right question in the post-game.

Imagine it’s after Florida State’s two-touchdown win, and a reporter asks Dabo Swinney a question.

Swinney seems irritated about the loss.

“Dabo, will you start looking into the portal more after a game like this?” 

The outcome of the situation depends on Dabo’s reaction. If Swinney criticizes the use of the portal, which he has in the past, the media will likely sensationalize the rivalry. With Florida State improving, a coaching rivalry is bound to arise.

 

Clemson vs. Florida State ranks as a top 7 conference game for the 2023 college football season

The hype around Clemson vs. Florida State continues to build as we approach the 2023 college football season.

The ACC in 2023 will likely be a battle between two top college football programs, Clemson and Florida State.

For the past ten seasons, the ACC has been Clemson’s conference. The Tigers dominated during that time, winning the ACC seven of the last ten seasons while adding two national championships. While FSU won the first two of the past ten, including a national championship of their own, the program fell off drastically for a time.

It seems that fall-off has come to an end as the Seminoles are back among the best and have become arguably the most hyped team in the country heading into the upcoming season. There are many who see FSU as the top team in the ACC, and this hype has made the Clemson vs. Florida State matchup on September 23 one of the most highly anticipated games for the upcoming season. 

According to Bleacher Report, this matchup is one of the seven most exciting conference games of the season. Here is what writer David Kenyon had to say about the game. 

This season, the ACC Championship Game has a new format that is familiar around the nation. Instead of division champs playing for the league title, it’ll be the two teams with the best winning percentage in conference play.

That’s the long version of saying Clemson and Florida State might be headed for a rematch in December.

But a victory in September will be particularly valuable for one.

Clemson owns seven straight wins in the series, although FSU put a mild scare into the Tigers last year. Clemson’s 20-point advantage in the fourth quarter dwindled to just six in the closing minutes.

This season, Florida State has a hugely experienced roster with arguably the strongest class of incoming transfers. Clemson, meanwhile, is shifting to a new quarterback (Cade Klubnik) and offensive coordinator (Garrett Riley) but stacked with talent, especially on defense.

The winner takes an early edge as the ACC front-runner.

What makes this game that much more exciting is that it could be a preview of the 2023 ACC Championship game. We cannot wait to see how this game plays out.

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Dabo Swinney shares high praise for Florida State and the ‘electric’ Clemson-Florida State rivalry

Dabo Swinney discusses Florida State and the Tigers’ rivalry with the Seminoles.

When discussing the Clemson-Florida State rivalry during the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff Thursday, Dabo Swinney said the matchup is “always electric,” with both programs fighting for supremacy on top of the conference this time around.

At this point, I’m sure everyone knows what the ACC looks like heading into next season, as it is one of the most heavily discussed topics in college football. Is it Florida State’s time to return to the top of the conference, or will Clemson remain the top dog and win an eighth conference championship out of the last nine. 

The popular opinion has been on the side of the Seminoles. However, many believe the ACC is still Clemson’s conference to lose. Analytics, on the other hand, heavily favor the Tigers in 2023. 

During ACC Football Kickoff Thursday, Swinney showed great respect for Florida State. 

“They’re a great football team. Mike’s done an unbelievable job, bunch of great players,” Swinney said. “I love their quarterback, first of all, he’s a great kid. He’s an amazing player, and you know, you saw that last year. I mean, we had a pretty good lead on them there in the fourth quarter, and that’s a reflection of their belief in what they’re doing and where they are. Because those kids didn’t quit. And I mean, next thing you know, it’s coming down to an onside kick. So they’ll be a big battle for sure.”

Clemson has won the previous seven matchups with FSU, but that doesn’t mean anything on game day. When discussing the rivalry, Swinney knows just how important the game is yearly, no matter what each program looks like that season.

“Regardless, if we’re both 4-4 or 8-0, Clemson-Florida State means a lot to a lot of people. It’s a big game. It’s certainly one of those rival type games that goes way back. But yeah, I’ve been a part of a lot of big ones…in the past that game determined the division…it might determine who’s going to the playoff,” the Clemson head coach said.

This season is different for both programs; with the ACC moving from divisions to the 3-5-5 format, the Tigers and Seminoles can meet in the ACC Championship. The Week 4 matchup between the two is shaping up to be electric, as Swinney would say, but that may not be the only time they meet this season.

The ACC should be exciting in 2023.

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Clemson and Florida State rank back to back in this preseason Top 25 projection

The Tigers and Seminoles are back to back in this preseason top-25 projection. Who has the edge?

Heading into the 2023 college football season, most discussions around the ACC revolve around Clemson and Florida State. 

This has been discussed plenty, with Florida State receiving tremendous hype heading into the season. For some, this is the Seminoles’ time to reclaim their spot atop the ACC. For others, it is Clemson who will surprise many and remain the conference’s top dog. 

The popular opinion is that head coach Mike Norvell and FSU will take the next step and dethrone the Tigers. Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have the talent to keep that from happening. 

Bleacher Report recently released their projections for the preseason top 25, with the ACC’s top two programs landing back to back. However, it was the Tigers who ranked ahead of the Seminoles. Here is what writer David Kenyon had to say about the Tigers. 

Once again, Clemson is the ACC favorite. The good news for the Tigers is they’re set to host Florida State and North Carolina—and are even at home against Notre Dame. The path to any championship is favorable, especially with a likely high-end defense. But a new-look offense will have the greatest effect on Clemson’s level of success in 2023.

Clemson was ranked No.7 in their rankings, with Florida State right behind them at No.8. It is a close battle and their Week 4 matchup should prove just that.

The combination of a surprising rise to 10 wins in 2022, a whole lot of returning production and a large number of impact transfers has vaulted Florida State into the “hyped” category. Although the Seminoles need to end a seven-game skid to Clemson, the ACC abandoning divisions in 2023 aids FSU’s aim to secure a league title.

Regardless of how we all feel right now, we won’t know till we know. Once the pads are on, we will get our answer.

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Steve Sarkisian viewed as being on the cusp of his first championship

Steve Sarkisian could very well be on the cusp of greatness.

The question that has haunted Longhorns fans for over a decade, “is Texas back?”

Fans of college football have endlessly mocked the once power of the sport for their many failed attempts at returning to prominence, but the stars appear to be aligning for Steve Sarkisian and company.  The 2023 season has the makings of being “the year” for Texas, which if you poll any Longhorn fan prior to every season since 2010 you’d probably get the same response.

However, when looking around the landscape of the Big 12 and even the country itself, Texas has every reason to have confidence. The Big 12 is as up for grabs as it has been in years with Oklahoma on the decline, and notable programs such as Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia are replacing stars all over the field. This has many Longhorns fans and media members alike, certain that Texas will finally get over their hump of stumbling.

In a recent article by 247Sports, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian who is fresh off a 8-5 season was featured as a coach on the verge of his first national championship victory. Joining him were names such as Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Florida State’s Mike Norvell among others.

His ability to recruit, access the resources that the great state of Texas has to offer, and the overall trajectory stemming from last season were cited as to why Sarkisian was featured despite never having a 10-win season.

Across 10 seasons and three different programs, Steve Sarkisian never posted a double-digit win total. Despite the lack of a national championship caliber season on his resume, the Texas head coach lands on this list because of the upward trajectory on which he appears to be leading the Longhorns and the wealth of resources at his disposal. Texas continues to stockpile talent, and it has one of the most loaded quarterback rooms in the nation ahead of the 2023 season, so expectations in Austin are high after the Longhorns won eight games last fall. If Sarkisian gets the most out of his players, Texas is a CFP candidate.

Sarkisian brought in the No. 3 recruiting class in the country headlined by five-star quarterback Arch Manning and five-star linebacker Anthony Hill. He also added five massive transfers from the portal that all will likely start or at the bare minimum be vital contributors off the bench.

The pressure on Sarkisian, while it is at an all-time high, has been placed on the shoulders of quarterback Quinn Ewers. The former perfectly rated recruit showed flashes of prominence last season, but also had fans questioning if he should be pulled for Hudson Card late in the season. If Sarkisian can channel his ability to be a quarterback guru to help Ewers take those next steps, the 2023 season could end up being Texas’ best chance to contend nationally since Colt McCoy’s final season.

LSU vs. Florida State: Let the anticipation begin for the 2023 season

LSU and Florida State will begin 2023 in style with a top-10 matchup in Orlando.

The 2022 college football season is in the books. For the second year in a row, the Georgia Bulldogs are national champs.

A long offseason awaits us.

It won’t be easy. Saturday’s will feel empty. We’ll yearn to be hanging out at a tailgate and hear the marching band coming through the TV.

But have no fears, because just as we do every year, we’ll make it through. And when we do, LSU will take the field against the Florida State Seminoles in Orlando.

It’s the main event of opening weekend. A game big enough to begin building the hype now. If early top 25s are any indicator, this will be a matchup of two teams ranked in the top seven or eight.

These two programs have been fighting to get back to the top of the sport for the last few years, and both feel they have the guy to lead them there — Florida State with Mike Norvell and LSU with [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag].

Florida State will be the odds-on favorite to win the ACC, and LSU is expected to compete again in the SEC.

Again, this game is slated in the Sunday slot. It’ll be a stand-alone game on national television. The entire sport will be watching.

Last year, Florida State won in the final moments, blocking LSU’s extra point that would have sent the game to overtime. If this was a movie franchise, you couldn’t write a better way to lead into the sequel.

It’ll be right back where LSU’s 2022 season ended in Camping World Stadium. It’ll also be the third year in a row Kelly has opened on a Sunday against Norvell and Florida State.

Notre Dame picked up an overtime road win to kickoff 2021.

Tied at 1-1, it’s the rubber match for Kelly and Norvell. If it’s as entertaining as the first two meetings between the two, we’re in for a treat. Except this time, the stakes are higher.

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Florida State coach Mike Norvell gets doused in Cheez-It after bowl win

Florida State coach Mke Norvell wore the Cheez-It quite well

Florida State outlasted Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl on Thursday.

To the victorious coach goes the Cheez-It — yes, the plural remains Cheez-It — and Mike Norvell received a dousing.

 

Oklahoma’s Opponent: 5 Florida State Seminoles to know ahead of the Cheez-It-Bowl

Oklahoma will have its hands full as they take on No. 13 Florida State. Here are five Seminoles to know.

Oklahoma has landed in Orlando and has been practicing since Christmas weekend. On Thursday, they take on the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles, who will have the de-facto home-field advantage. Florida State is arguably the best team Oklahoma has played this year, aside from the TCU Horned Frogs, who will be representing the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff.

Florida State is rising back up the ACC ranks in Mike Norvell’s third season in Tallahassee. He’ll have a very physical and talented Seminoles team ready for the Sooners.

The Seminoles have some real difference-makers on both sides of the ball. With Oklahoma at a disadvantage due to NFL opt-outs and transfer portal entries, it will make things even harder for the Sooners. Who are the Seminoles’ difference makers? Here are five players to be aware of as the Sooners look to finish the season on a high note.

5 Oklahoma Sooners to watch on offense in the Cheez-it Bowl

With opt-outs at key positions, several players will get an opportunity at extended action. Here are 5 players to watch on offense for the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cheez-it Bowl against Florida State.

The long and arduous 2022 Oklahoma Sooners football season is coming to an end on Dec. 29 as OU takes on Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles in the Cheez-it Bowl.

With several opt-outs, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, Sooners fans will have the chance to see a few younger faces get some time to shine. Let’s take a look at some players to watch.

Looking back on the 2022 Oklahoma Sooners regular season

Let’s take a step back and look at the positives from the 2022 Oklahoma Sooners regular season.

Well that wasn’t very fun, was it?

After huge amounts of pure optimism from the Oklahoma Sooners fanbase following the hire of Brent Venables, the actual results of the first year of this new era of Oklahoma Football felt like a bit of a dud.

The Sooners finished the regular season 6-6, with a date with a superior Florida State team on the horizon in the Cheez-it Bowl. OU’s first losing record in more than two decades is a possibility in year one of Brent Venables’ tenure.

I don’t want to talk about the bad times from this first year. That’s been done again and again. Instead, let’s look at the positives that this year yielded for the present and future of OU Football.

After Lincoln Riley left for California, the OU fanbase felt betrayed. The second his plane touched down in Norman, Brent Venables immediately devoted himself to giving the fanbase the kick in the pants it needed.

“Make the Palace a nightmare,” he said.

And a nightmare it was. OU home games finally recaptured the hostile environment it had been missing for years, with a notably reenergized student section. The fancy light shows helped.

When the Sooners do move to the SEC, the fans will be ready to go on Saturdays. And with the way the Oklahoma Sooners are recruiting, the talent on the roster will be there too.

The talent that the Sooners need to compete at a high level again is on the way. After reeling in the No. 8 recruiting class in 2022, OU’s 2023 class is again sitting at No. 8 with the potential to finish in the top five. The players are coming. This coaching staff can absolutely recruit the players they need to get the Sooners back on the right track.

While this coaching staff has issues that will need to be addressed in the spring and summer, they will improve. If the same issues from this season are still present in 2023, then we can have discussions about the coaches. Until then, the Cheez-it Bowl awaits.

Florida State is an interesting case. Mike Norvell possibly saved his job with his first bowl trip in year three in Tallahassee. Good for the Seminoles.

This game could be very fun. With several big contributors already opting out to prepare for the draft, the Sooners must be prepared to do one very simple thing.

Unleash the youth.

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