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5 Ways the Florida State Seminoles Still Control Their ACC Destiny
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- 5 Ways the Florida State Seminoles Still Control Their ACC Destiny
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Florida State's 2-2 start has already made the margin for error smaller than Mike Norvell envisioned entering the season. The Seminoles ' loss at SMU means they are 0-1 in ACC play, while the 50-36 loss at Alabama eliminated another opportunity to build national momentum.
But neither loss ended Florida State 's most attainable path toward making something significant of the 2026 season.
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The Seminoles still have seven ACC games remaining, and if last season demonstrated anything, it is that September does not determine who ultimately walks into Charlotte.
Duke entered the 2025 ACC Championship Game just 7-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play before beating Virginia 27-20 in overtime to win the program's first outright ACC championship since 1962.
That precedent is the foundation for the hopes of Florida State .
"I absolutely believe that everything is in front of us," Norvell said following FSU's 34-7 win over Central Arkansas. "This is a talented league, but every week is going to present new opportunities, different challenges that you'll face."
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Florida State improved to 2-2 with the win and now returns to conference play beginning with Virginia.
Here are five reasons Norvell's belief isn't misplaced.
1. Ousmane Kromah Can Become the Offense's Foundation
If Florida State needs something it can consistently lean on during ACC play, Ousmane Kromah is quickly becoming the answer.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Kromah carries an 86.9 rushing grade through four games, fourth nationally among running backs with at least 50 carries. He has turned 64 attempts into 397 yards (6.2 per carry) and five touchdowns.
More importantly, the production isn't dependent entirely on what is blocked for him.
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Kromah has generated 252 yards after contact, averaging 3.94 yards after contact per attempt while forcing 22 missed tackles. Against Central Arkansas, he needed only 11 carries to produce 86 yards and two touchdowns.
With Samuel Singleton Jr. sidelined for an extended period, Kromah has an opportunity to become the centerpiece rather than simply another weapon.
In close ACC games, having a runner capable of creating yards after first contact can be the difference between third-and-2 and third-and-6 and sometimes between winning and losing.
2. Ashton Daniels Has to Find Consistency
Florida State doesn't necessarily need Ashton Daniels to carry the offense every Saturday. It needs him to eliminate the stretches where mistakes overwhelm the explosive plays.
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There were encouraging signs Saturday.
Daniels completed 12 of 18 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns as Florida State averaged 8.7 yards per play. His 29-yard touchdown to Duce Robinson and 34-yard score to Jayvan Boggs showed the explosiveness this offense can generate.
The interception before halftime, however, was another reminder of what has to disappear during conference play.
Norvell acknowledged afterward that Daniels rushed the throw and that both the quarterback and running back needed to be better on the play.
The Seminoles don't need perfection at quarterback. They need Daniels' good stretches to become the norm rather than something interrupted by costly turnovers.
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3. The Pass Rush Is Closer Than the Sack Total Suggests
Florida State's pass rush has been a source of frustration, but the underlying numbers provide more optimism than the sack total alone.
PFF credits the Seminoles with 62 total pressures through four games, including six sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 44 hurries.
Rylan Kennedy has generated seven pressures and two sacks on 85 pass-rushing snaps. Jalen Anderson leads the team with nine pressures, while Deamontae Diggs has five hurries.
Then there are the Desir twins.
Mandrell Desir has six pressures, including a sack, a hit and four hurries. Darryll Desir has played considerably fewer snaps but owns a 76.1 PFF pass-rush grade.
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The next step is converting disruption into drive-ending plays.
If the Desirs become more impactful while Kennedy, Anderson and others turn hurries into sacks, Florida State's defense could look considerably different during the heart of ACC play.
4. The Coverage Has to Create Tighter Windows
This might be Florida State's biggest defensive concern.
Opposing quarterbacks have completed 90 of 126 passes when targeting Seminoles defenders, a 71.4% completion rate, according to PFF's coverage chart. FSU has surrendered 1,160 yards and eight touchdowns while producing three interceptions and eight pass breakups.
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Several individual numbers stand out.
Ma'khi Jones has allowed 13 catches on 16 targets and 240 yards. Ashlynd Barker has surrendered 10 receptions on 11 targets. Chris Jones has been targeted eight times and allowed eight completions.
There are positives. Nehemiah Chandler has allowed five catches on eight targets with an interception and a 34.4 NFL passer rating when targeted. Quindarrius Jones has allowed four catches on eight targets and also has an interception.
Florida State doesn't need its secondary to suddenly erase every receiver it faces. It does need to make quarterbacks work harder for completions.
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Even a modest improvement there could give the pass rush the additional fraction of a second it needs to finish.
5. The ACC Race Is Still There to Be Shaped
This is the larger point behind Norvell's message.
Florida State is 0-1 in conference play. That's a problem, but it isn't a death sentence.
Duke proved it last season. The Blue Devils finished the regular season 7-5 and 6-2 in the ACC, emerged from a five-team group that finished 6-2 and then won the conference championship.
Florida State's upcoming stretch against Virginia, Louisville and Miami gives the Seminoles an opportunity to change the trajectory quickly.
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That also makes Norvell's emphasis on improvement more than coach-speak.
The Seminoles have a nationally productive runner. They have explosive possibilities in the passing game. The pass rush is generating pressure even if the sacks haven't followed often enough. The secondary has playmakers capable of tightening coverage.
Now those pieces have to work together.
"It's all in front of us," Norvell said.
At 2-2, Florida State hasn't earned the luxury of looking too far ahead. But after what happened in the ACC a year ago, the Seminoles don't need to.
They just need to start winning conference games.
