TALLAHASSEE — Florida State’s schedule set up well, with an opener against then-No. 8 Alabama that had players focused throughout the offseason, followed by two guarantee games that gave younger Seminoles opportunities and experience.
Now the No. 8 Seminoles face a quick turnaround, traveling to Virginia for their Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Friday at 7 p.m. (ESPN). But FSU’s coaches also have had time to prepare, using an early bye week to prepare for Kent State as well as advance scout the Cavaliers.
“During the bye week we had a very specific plan for how we wanted to use each of those days just to get a little bit of an advanced look,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “I thought we did a nice job of being able to execute that with our opponent last week and having a plan there and then being able to come into this week with a good foundation after seeing (Virginia’s first) three games.”
Norvell modified FSU’s normal weekly schedule. The team didn’t practice on Sunday, using the day for treatment, weightlifting and team meetings. While Monday is usually an off day, it instead was a full practice day.
Here are storylines to watch as FSU prepares for Virginia:
Is FSU getting healthy at the right time for start of ACC play?
There was immediate concern about Tommy Castellanos, who limped to the sideline late in the second quarter of FSU’s 66-10 rout of Kent State. But FSU’s quarterback said his ankle just was “rolled,” admitting it was scary, and Norvell said he feels “confident” in Castellanos’ ability to play against Virginia.
Randy Pittman, who played against Alabama with a knee injury, is also slated to return. The UCF transfer tight end was an effective blocker against the Crimson Tide but missed the past two games due to a knee injury. His return should strengthen FSU’s prolific offense, which leads the nation in scoring (58 points) and is second in rushing yards (363).
Receiver Squirrel White could also return after missing the Kent State game with a wrist/hand injury. Most of FSU’s two-deep is healthy.
What concerns are there for FSU in its first road game?
FSU hasn’t played on the road, facing any crowd noise when on offense. The Seminoles didn’t trail in their last two games and haven’t been challenged by an opponent in nearly four weeks.
This is also FSU’s first Friday night game since 2022, when the Seminoles won at Louisville in September and against Florida in November.
Most of FSU’s starters played just a half against Kent State. So they should be rested going on the road on a short week. But until the Seminoles show how they respond, these intangibles are valid questions against an improved Virginia team.
How much of a challenge is Virginia QB Chandler Morris?
Virginia landed transfer quarterback Chandler Morris, who played at Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas (where he threw for 3,774 yards, 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2024) in the offseason, and he’s sparked the team’s 3-1 start.
But Morris spent time around the Clemson program as his dad, Chad Morris, was an assistant under Dabo Swinney from 2011-14. Morris’ dad coached alongside Tony Elliott, who was then a Clemson assistant and is now at Virginia. Talk about deep recruiting roots.
FSU defensive coordinator Tony White compared Morris’ style to NFL quarterbacks such as Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Morris has completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 1,050 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception.
“He is electric,” White said. “He’s fun watch. Very smart. He doesn’t get enough credit.”
