​Talking season is here and will roll on into next week as ACC media days take the floor. Beat writers and other members of the media will pepper the program with questions, and the conference will be buzzing with storylines. With Florida State coming off a 5-7 season in 2025, here are four bold predictions for the Seminoles in 2026.
Florida State kicked off 2025 with immediate impact, winning their first three games and even upsetting Alabama 31-17 in Tallahassee. The 2026 schedule looks grueling, featuring a home date with SMU and a return trip to Tuscaloosa within September’s opening month. Alabama, a playoff team in 2025, brings back only three offensive starters and will deploy a new quarterback in freshman Keelon Russell. That timing might work in Florida State’s favor, as the Tide will be early in the season and still ironing out chemistry, whereas Russell will have limited game experience to leverage against the Seminoles. If there’s a matchup fans fear the most, this could be it.
Last season, Florida State ranked just outside the top ten nationally in rushing offense, finishing No. 11 with 218 rushing yards per game and 31 rushing touchdowns. Expect that physical identity to persist in 2026, even though Gus Malzahn is no longer on the sidelines. The Seminoles are adding depth to the backfield with former Texas standout Quintrevion Wisner, who will bolster a talented group. Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton return as well, with Singleton averaging seven yards per carry in 2025. They’ll operate behind an experienced but rebuilt offensive line, featuring right guard Nate Pabst, an all-MAC performer from Bowling Green, and Xavier Chaplin, both of whom bring NFL-caliber potential to the unit.
Norvell has named Ashton Daniels as the starting quarterback after 15 spring practices. Daniels, a well-traveled signal-caller who played at Stanford and Auburn, has had notable ball-security issues, posting 22 career interceptions against 24 touchdowns across four seasons. In 2024 at Stanford, he threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10). The quarterback position could see a mid-season shake-up if production lags, and a replacement candidate is emerging.
One potential replacement for Daniels is JUCO All-American Malachi Marshall. Marshall guided Iowa Western to a NJCAA championship in 2025, throwing for more than 2,800 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. He completed 63 percent of his passes (201 completions) with a passer efficiency rating of 179.1 for the season. Norvell won’t be able to ignore that kind of talent and production for long, and Marshall will remind the staff of what he brings to the table.
Last season, Florida State dropped seven games, four of which were decided by eight points or fewer. As the 2026 season dawns, pundits are projecting a win total around 6.5 for the Seminoles. Look for Florida State to overachieve slightly and push for eight wins this year.