Florida State vs. Clemson. Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. Ole Miss vs. Alabama. Colorado vs. Oregon. A Mount Rushmore of big-time matchups and I’m barely scratching the surface. We’ve got six (6!!!) head-to-head ranked matchups this week. Two games with ranked teams favored on the road against unranked opponents. Plus, two more really fun matchups for my household (and I get to choose the slate so we all get to have fun with them as well). Any one of these games would’ve been the best game of the slate last week. Instead, they join forces together as an infinity stone gauntlet of a college football weekend. If you’ve got plans this weekend outside of football, cancel them. Gender reveal party? College friend visiting from across the country? Sister’s wedding? Shame on them. Last week was right there for the taking. Gotta check the schedule before you try to ruin a football weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No. 4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC), after sneaking past Boston College in a near-upset, is set to take on the Clemson Tigers (2-1, 0-1 ACC) on the road in what’s been pinpointed as one of the marquee matchups of the season. Even with the game losing a little bit of luster following the Tigers upset loss to Duke to start the season, it should still play a major part in shaping the race for spots in the ACC Championship game. According to DraftKings, Florida State is a 1.5-point favorite over Clemson heading into game week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The No. 4 Florida State Seminoles football team will be on the road again this weekend, this time in Death Valley against the Clemson Tigers. After a close call at Boston College last week, the Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 ACC) will look to bounce back against the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champion Tigers. Is Clemson (2-1, 0-1 ACC) vulnerable after the early season loss to Duke or will they be more than the Seminoles can handle this Saturday? We’ll break down what to expect on this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast. Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ll talking shop with Ryan Kantor of Shakin the Southland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Florida State kicks off one of the season's most anticipated matchups at noon on Saturday against Clemson. Mike Norvell and his staff met with the media to offer final thoughts on Boston College and discuss matchups and game plans they expect to see against Clemson. Mike Norvell, as usual, was the first to speak and did not disappoint in his opening statements. In one of his more extended monologues, the Seminole coach mentioned his team” did not play to the best of our ability for 60 minutes of that game” while taking the blame for the miscues, including the squib kick. He did not come off as a coach concerned or panicked over his team but knows they got away with one. “There were some really positive moments, but ultimately just too much inconsistency,” he said. “Didn’t start the way we wanted to start defensively, gave up a couple of big plays, had a couple of communication issues, things that we worked, things that had been right in practice, and ultimately in the moment did not execute. We’ve got to continue to improve there.” Mike Norvell assessed all three phases and said he heard “ownership yesterday” from his team during their meetings. Regarding the injury front, Norvell is “not worried about (Jordan Travis’) health here moving forward.” Alex Atkins brought his patented insight on the run game, noting that FSU still lacks consistency while running the ball and, as a team, “we need to find creative ways to do that.” When asked about Keon Coleman not recording a catch on Saturday, the offensive coordinator noted that different players stepped up for the Seminoles in different weeks but that great players will not be kept down for long. Adam Fuller answered questions mainly on the communication breakdowns and busts in coverages. Fuller said the Seminole stoppers have had “some really poor eyes on some of these scramble situations” and that lessons are being learned the “hard way” on defense. Most of the errors he felt were fixable, and this week provided them with great teaching moments. John Papuchis’ went last as he gave insight into the blunders that plagued the team Saturday. JP said Keon Coleman got “ caught in that in-between mode” about the punt at the end of the game and that he would “love to have that play back” when discussing the squib kick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Florida State Seminoles got pushed to the limit by the Boston College Eagles last weekend in Chestnut Hill, but they didn’t break. The 31-29 victory left a lot to be desired as the Noles were able to put away a 21-point lead in the final 20 minutes. At the end of the day, the most important aspect was a victory and opening conference play unblemished. Now, they need to shake their issues from last week and be ready to put out their best effort of the season against a team that’s been a thorn in their side for the last 7 years in the Clemson Tigers on the road. The Seminole Wrap boys — Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant — take a deeper look into the problems that plagued Florida State down the stretch against BC, what they can do to fix them, what Clemson can do to expose them, how FSU can exploit Clemson after their less than stellar start to the year and, of course, our predictions for the big game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All roads of college football this week lead to Boulder, Colorado. Big Noon Saturday, who owns the rights to most of the Colorado games, is live in Boulder for the second straight week and at Deion’s game for the third time in three weeks. College Gameday packed up their yin-yang (RIP Big & Rich’s theme song. We will always be comin’ to your citaaaay.) and joined them. And look, it makes all the sense in the world. They’ve got a huge rivalry game this week against the 0-1 Colorado State Rams. The slate is terrible, but obviously this choice has nothing to do with the competition itself. Deion has quickly made Colorado matter. Whether they win or lose the rest of the way (and yes I think there will be plenty of losing starting next week), they matter. It’s appointment TV each week. This week is no different. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It felt like Christmas morning. Florida State practicing for the first time this season in glistening white helmets produced an uptick in energy amongst the players and staff. A switch-up in gear raises eyebrows, and the team warmed up a little harder than usual as they broke them out. Mike Norvell mentioned that in the last two Wednesday practices, the team had a lot of “inconsistencies” but felt that they were up to the task yesterday and today. Florida State went for longer today than usual as the coaching staff wants to get the players back on the “ normal routine” since last week was a shorter week. The head coach did not offer an update on possible changes from Hurricane Lee, and it sounds like the ACC will take that one down to the wire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Florida State Seminoles football team hits the road this weekend after a blowout win over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Up next? Another team of Eagles, this time of the Boston College flavor. The Seminoles will potentially battle the Eagles and the weather, as Hurricane Lee looms off the eastern coastline. We’ll discuss what to expect from the Eagles and the weather on this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast. Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ll connect with Curtis Flannery of BCInterruption. Are there areas that the Boston College Eagles can get the upper hand on Saturday? Will the BC defensive line shut down the Seminole offense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday looked to be Florida State’s most consistent practice since the beginning of fall camp. Mike Norvell did not mention any up-and-down moments during his press conference. The phrase missed opportunities was not spoken either. The Seminoles seem to be sharpening their skills, and the improvements are apparent week to week. The Florida State head coach seemed calm by Mike Norvell's standards, mentioning there was a lot of “good on good work” and “saw some guys really responding.” Johnny Wilson answered the bell today at practice along with the defensive tackles and young linebackers who were today's stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Florida State Seminoles rolled through the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, 66-13, on Saturday to move to 2-0 to start this season. The blowout win nearly doubled the pre-game spread of 30.5 points from DraftKings as the Noles were able to make light work of the group of five opponent. This week on the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant share their biggest takeaways from the games, including the FSU depth that got to play and play well in their time as well as a couple potential long-term concerns that need to be cleaned up going forward. Plus, the crew took a look at the rest of the ACC through two weeks. With FSU’s blowout of LSU, a big win from Miami over Texas A&M, a narrow double-overtime victory from UNC against App State and the early Duke demolition of Clemson, who stands out as the top contenders for ACC title game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Florida State advanced to 2-0 on the season with a 66-13 win over Southern Miss on Saturday night — its most points scored under Mike Norvell, most overall since a 77-6 win vs. Delaware State in 2017 and most vs. an FBS opponent since an 80-14 win over Idaho in 2013. It was FSU’s final non-conference matchup before starting conference play next week against the Boston College Eagles, another home matchup for the Seminoles. After the win, head coach Mike Norvell met with the media to discuss the win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly 365 days ago, the Texas Longhorns planted their flag atop the college football world. A battle with the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide left Austin feeling like the capital of college football they weren’t always destined to be. Nick Saban, Bryce Young and the rest of the SEC powerhouse baffled by the Longhorns defense. Texas was back. Except they lost. But it felt like they won right? They had that one bad call that cost them the game, remember? They basically won regardless of what the score says, don’t ya know? Surely, the sky was the limit from there. Four additional losses, Texas finished up 8-5 and once again not back yet. This year, they’ve got the same hype. Another year as everyone’s favorite college football dark horse to make the College Football Playoff. Another year billing Sarkisian as a genius ready to rule the sport in burnt orange. Another year facing the most recent king of the mountain. You want to run the yard again, Texas? Here’s your chance. In the belly of the beast. Against the most dominant force in the sport for the last 15 years. At their house. We just saw Florida State announce itself to the world on a national stage in their blowout triumph over LSU. Do you have what it takes to do the same? To tell the SEC you’re coming to dominate their conference next year? To reclaim the Big 12 for the first time since 2009? To show the nation you’re capable of your first CFP appearance? To finish the story? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Florida State Seminoles football team is riding high after their weekend victory over LSU. Up next is the home opener for the Seminoles, a matchup with Southern Miss. We’ll discuss what to expect from the Golden Eagles on this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast. Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting the nitty gritty details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ll connect with Steve Helwick of the Underdog Dynasty. What are the strengths of Southern Miss on offense and defense? Can the Eagles compete or even upset FSU this Saturday? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With some halftime adjustments, Mike Norvell and his Florida State Seminoles announced themselves as a juggernaut to the college football world en route to a 45-24 blowout of the LSU Tigers. The dominant win sparks a lot to talk about for the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — both in the short-term and long-term picture of Florida State’s season. However, you won’t hear much from Brian as he serves a 10-minute suspension thanks to last week’s bet on the game, where he took his alma mater LSU to win. This week, the crew looks at what made Florida State so successful against the Tigers, what adjustments really made the difference in the second half and what it all means for the long-term picture of the Noles’ ACC championship and College Football Playoff dreams. Mike Norvell vs. Brian Kelly 2023 was the third consecutive year Mike Norvell and FSU opened the season against Brian Kelly and each time things only got worse for the former Notre Dame head man. In the 2021 matchup, a lesser-talented Noles team took Kelly’s Irish to the wire and nearly pulled off the upset in an OT loss. Last season, the Noles went into the Superdome for Brian Kelly’s first game with the purple and gold and should’ve run the Tigers out of their home state short of a couple poorly executed plays down the stretch. And this year, Norvell checkmated Kelly at every turn, leaving the man who promised to “Beat the heck out of Florida State” nearly speechless postgame in explaining why he couldn’t slow down the Noles attack. For three years, Brian says Norvell has coached circles around a man considered one of the best in the sport. The Seminole Wrap team explains this week why Norvell was simply playing chess to Kelly’s checkers. Keon Coleman arrives If you had any doubts about the type of wide receiver FSU got in transfer Keon Coleman, allow us to point you back to last night’s highlights. He can play big. He can play small. He can make guys miss in space. Coleman is a No. 1 wide receiver and Ben is ready to name him the second-best WR prospect in the NFL Draft next to Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. The crew dives into what allowed him to succeed this game and what it opens up for the rest of the FSU offense to have Coleman and Jaheim Bell’s skillset now in the mix. FSU Dominates Offensive & Defensive Fronts The other top headline from the game was Florida State’s ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Noles were able to push LSU around upfront, but really controlled the game most with the defensive line. Outside of two long runs late in the 2nd quarter, LSU was unable to find any success in the ground game — 25 carries for 38 yards. Jon shares his perspective on what gave Florida State the edge against the LSU rushing attack and the key personnel adjustment that opened up the Florida State running game in the second half. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The No. 8 Florida State Seminoles opened their 2023 season with a win over the No. 5 LSU Tigers, 45-24, in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida. It’s the second year in a row the Noles begin their campaign with a win against the Tigers. This time they did it by dominating the second half, scoring 31 unanswered before LSU’s 75-yard TD in the final 1:15. The star of the game was FSU WR Keon Coleman, who showed why he was one of the most sought after transfers in the nation early and often in this one. The Louisiana native scored on a 40-yard catch and run to open the scoring on Florida State’s first drive. He then followed it up late in the 2nd quarter by winning a jump ball in the endzone to even the score at 14. And why not add a third to put the game on ice? He finished the game with 9 receptions, 122 yards and 3 TDs. FSU’s other new face Jaheim Bell found the endzone in the fourth as well on a 44-yard TD reception to extend the Noles lead in the 4th. He added a 4-yard rushing touchdown with 1:26 left in the 4th to close the scoring. Veteran WR Johnny Wilson was Johnny on the spot several times for the Noles on big 3rd downs to move the chains. He finished the game with 7 receptions and 104 yards. A strong start for FSU’s top three receiving weapons. Jordan Travis had a few ill-advised throws in the first half, but really found his groove in the second half, adding a rushing score to go with his 4 TDs and 342 yards through the air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does it really get any better than Week 1 of college football? This year, yes. To be honest with you guys, this slate overall is kinda weak. We’re lucky Florida State and LSU arrived on our doorstep on Sunday because I’d classify the Saturday games under more of an “interesting” category than “must-watch.” I guess it’s better than a pretty rough Week Zero where none of the games involved two Power Five teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“We had a lot of missed opportunities.” Mike Norvell’s usual tone did not come to the microphone today. The head coach of the Seminoles brought up the two themes that he has said all camp: consistency and opportunities. Both of these needed work today. The Seminoles are 72 hours from game week but did not put their best foot forward Thursday morning. Mike Norvell mentioned dropped balls among some of the faults, and Jarrien Jones said the team missed their patented “intensity” during practice. Still, there were bright spots throughout the periods, and Norvell liked his team’s response Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Florida State Seminoles football is back — and so is the Line of Scrimmage podcast. Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting the nitty gritty details from those who know those teams best. Up first — a conversation with with Zachary Junda of And the Valley Shook, who helped us break down the LSU Tigers last season ahead of the first matchup in the series as well as an inside look at the Tigers’ recruiting class earlier this year. What does LSU bring to the table on offense, defense and as a whole? Is the hype surrounding the Tigers real? Can Florida State pull off a second straight win? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The countdown to the season opener for the Florida State Seminoles against the LSU Tigers is just days away. It’s a highly anticipated game to kickoff a highly anticipated season. The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — released their 2023 season and LSU preview episode earlier this week. But with so much excitement for the year, one episode wasn’t quite enough. So we brought in the DraftKings Network’s Mike Golic Jr. to talk Florida State’s climb back to the national title conversation, Mike Norvell’s ascension through the coaching ranks and the Noles’ competition for the ACC crown. Mike Norvell’s Rise in College Football Four games into Mike Norvell’s second season at the helm, Florida State was at what felt like rock bottom. The Noles had just lost to the Louisville Cardinals to open the year with an 0-4 record including the shocking Week 2 loss to Jacksonville State. Golic remembers calling that game against the Cardinals for ESPN and getting to attend practice the Friday before. Despite the 0-3 start to that point and the pressure ratcheting up around his job security in the fan base, the former Notre Dame offensive lineman recalls the mood around practicing being unexpectedly spirited, cheerful and confident It’s not something you’d think to have around a struggling team. But Norvell’s team had it. From that point, FSU has gone 15-6 and finds itself staring down enormous expectations in the chase for the ACC and the College Football Playoff. Golic believes all that stems from the attitude Norvell instilled even in the face of losing. Jordan Travis, Heisman contender Norvell not alone in climbing out of the hole. That week against Louisville, McKenzie Milton took every snap at quarterback. The now star quarterback Jordan Travis was on the bench with a shoulder injury, three weeks removed from being benched against Notre Dame and losing the job in that Jacksonville State game. Now, Travis has the third best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. How did Travis make this transition and what is the real ceiling for him this season? Golic believes he is one of the best athletes in all of college football. Yes, one of the best runners, but he’s also shown incredible growth with his arm from that 2021 season. Are the expectations legit? Florida State enters the 2023 season as near co-favorites in the ACC with the Clemson Tigers and in the top eight in odds to win the national title — a stark contrast from where they were a year ago. It’s breakneck speed from the bottom to potentially the top of the ladder, but Golic says the transfer portal allows programs to microwave the roster. Florida State has excelled at it with a roster full of transfer names leading the way. He’s a big fan of Trey Benson’s running style and how he sets up his blockers for success. He’s excited to see how Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman work as a one-two punch at receiver. But most of all, he’s excited to see how Norvell uses Jaheim Bell, one of his favorite players to watch while calling South Carolina games over the last few seasons. Competition within the ACC Talking heads have been predicting the demise of Clemson for a couple years now, but it hasn’t happened yet. And until someone takes it from them, Golic says they have to remain the favorites to win the conference again. But that doesn’t mean FSU isn’t ready and capable to dethrone them. He sees the ACC as a two-team conference at this point unless somebody makes a large jump and surprises. Pitt, Miami, North Carolina and NC State are all teams certainly capable of contending for the crown, but they remain a tier below the top-two in the conference in Florida State and Clemson For more detail and insight on Golic’s thoughts on Florida State, the ACC and the CFP, listen to this bonus episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast available now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What hurricane? Even with Hurricane Idalia in the back of everyone’s mind in Tallahassee, it was business as usual for the Seminoles. Head coach Mike Norvell brought his usual energy, but the sense of urgency was more significant in the tone of his voice. During his media availability, he said that he “liked what I saw today” and felt “ the work was where we needed it to be.” Florida State was in full pads today, an overall solid practice for the team. Norvell believes his team will meet tomorrow and are “tracking the storm every hour,” but it should not cause a predicament in their preparation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices