TALLAHASSEE — Florida State appears to be entering a “winnable” three-game stretch of the 2025 schedule. But no win is certain given how the Seminoles have played the past two weeks.
No. 25 FSU (3-2, 0-2 ACC) plays host to Pittsburgh (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday at noon (ESPN) before traveling to Stanford (2-3). After a bye, the Seminoles will play Wake Forest (3-2). FSU should be a favorite in all three games, which would give the team a bounce-back after a double overtime loss at Virginia and defeat at home to Miami.
“I’m not happy with anything that happened in the last two weeks,” Norvell said. “But you know what? There’s also the joy for who you get to do it with because you watched them work. You see and believe in what they can do.”
Here are three pressing questions as FSU prepares for Pittsburgh:
Can FSU reduce the turnovers?
After two losses, there is a lengthy list of areas where the Seminoles need to improve. But everything revolves around running the ball, which translates into building longer drives and putting points on the board. The Seminoles can win games when they run, but they simply won’t win often when they turn it over three times (by interception or fumble).
Norvell was asked if the message he’s delivered to the Seminoles is that they can beat anyone if they play a clean game.
“Alabama is a good football team,” Norvell said. “I know when we beat them in week one, they weren’t. But now all of a sudden they’re a good team again.”
Norvell’s comments about Alabama drew laughs. FSU has been humbled the past two weeks. But there is still confidence among the Seminoles.
With two losses, will FSU ‘s leadership be tested?
When losses piled up in 2024, it was a result in part of September injuries on offense. When Richie Leonard IV, Roydell Williams and Jaylin Lucas were lost for the season due to injury, what was lost was likely as much their leadership as their production.
Now with FSU facing back-to-back losses, leadership will be critical to keep players focused and intent on a turnaround. After the last loss, Norvell spoke to the team. So did quarterback Tommy Castellanos.
“I told the guys, ‘This one’s on me. This loss is on me.’ I apologized to the team, I apologize to this community, the alumni, the past players,” Castellanos said. “I told the guys that I have to play better. And I have to be better.”
The reality is the loss isn’t just on Castellanos. There were plenty of factors. But the fact Castellanos said it speaks volumes. Norvell also cited defensive tackle Darrell Jackson as being “remarkable” as a leader, as has been rover Earl Little Jr., center Luke Petitbon, receiver Duce Robinson, tight end Randy Pittman and the running back room.
What will FSU see in Pitt’s true freshman quarterback?
Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel was a surprise starter in Saturday’s 48-7 win over Boston College. And the true freshman was impressive in completing 30 of 41 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns. Heintschel is the first ACC true freshman to surpass 300 passing yards in a game since Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.
“He’s got a quick release,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “He knows where to go with the ball. He’s got a good pre-snap idea of what’s going on. So that intelligence there helps.”
But now Heintschel is on the road at FSU, where crowd noise could be a major factor. Even Narduzzi said, “We’ll find out.”