Florida State has made the decision to keep Mike Norvell as head coach going into the 2026 season.

Since releasing a statement which promised a “comprehensive assessment’ at the end of the year, the Seminoles have gone 2-2, with both of those losses coming by double-digits on the road.

READ MORE: Mike Norvell returning as FSU football’s head coach in 2026

Norvell is 38-33 overall and 22-26 against ACC opponents at Florida State. So, why do the powers at be plan to retain him for a seventh year on the job?

Advertisement

Shortly after news broke that Norvell would be sticking around in Tallahassee, Florida State released a statement from multiple decision-makers; university president Richard McCullough, athletic director Michael Alford, and BOT chairman Peter Collins.

With support from leadership, Norvell has pledged to make fundamental changes in ‘specific areas’ to help meet Florida State’s standard.

“FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, and I are in complete agreement that changes are needed for our program to improve,” McCullough said. “Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved.

“He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future, and so do we,” McCullough continued. “This decision reflects a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity within the program.”

Advertisement

Alford cited Florida State’s massive financial investment in the football program. The Seminoles would owe Norvell around $54 million if he’s fired after December 31.

“Our responsibility is to do what gives Florida State the strongest competitive position – not just today, but for years to come,” Alford said. “Florida State has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its football program over the past few years with high expectations.

“Chairman Collins, President McCullough, and I are aligned in partnering with Coach and improving our ability to compete for championships,” Alford added. “Our mission is unwavering in putting Florida State football at the forefront of college athletics.”

Collins believes Florida State needs to address other deficiencies within the program.

“In addition to addressing the reality that on-field results have been far from acceptable to the FSU standard, we also realize our responsibilities as stewards of program revenues and how to best allocate those dollars to compete at an elite level – something we will not compromise,” Collins said.

Advertisement

“Throughout the assessment, one goal will remain beyond all others – achieving sustained championship-level success. We will address performance deficiencies in the program,” Collins added. “These deficiencies may include structural changes to the very large and complex program FSU football has become, and these areas are where we will focus and invest.”

In the release, Norvell shared his love for Florida State.

“This program has been built on belief, sacrifice, and putting the team first,” Norvell said. “That set of values has always guided my actions, and those of our players. The driving motivation behind this is to make certain that we are doing everything properly to obtain and retain elite players, add critical pieces, and sustain long-term success.”

“I love Florida State, and I am fully committed to this program, and our shared goals.”

READ MORE: FSU football’s bizarre special teams chaos defies explanation: ‘once in a lifetime’

Advertisement

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the 2025 season

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

GAINESVILLE, FL – The No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers head to Florida to take on the Gators in a primetime SEC matchup today, Saturday, Nov. 22. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

If you’ve cut ties with your cable provider, there are still ways you can tune in. Several streaming services will broadcast the game live and you can watch on Fubo (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial), Sling (promotional offers as low as $4.99) and the ESPN streaming app.

The SEC is packed with teams that are filled with dogs that look to do nothing but win. Tennessee has been part of that club this season; among the teams in the AP Top 25, they hold the lowest rank in the conference at No. 20.

On the other side of the field is a Florida squad with a losing record, but they get to play the role of spoiler.

A look at Tennessee

The Volunteers offense has been on fire this season. The squad ranks second in points per game (43.4), second in total yards per game (495.0), and third in passing yards per game (318.3).

They score at a rate that makes the rest of their conference look silly, as far as how they prepare to get the ball into the endzone.

It was further shown in their recent 42-9 blowout win over New Mexico State. In a game where they were bouncing off the loss to Oklahoma, the defense was sturdy and held the Aggies run game to 27 yards on the day, while quarterback Joey Aguilar completed 73.9% of his passes for 204 yards, one score and two interceptions.

Now they get to prepare for a Florida squad who’s earned all three of their wins on home turf.

Within the rivalry, the last time they won consecutive games was the 2003 and 2004 season.

Tennessee players to watch

Joey Aguilar

One of the best quarterbacks in college football, Aguilar ranks eighth in passing yards (2,941) and ties for ninth in passing touchdowns (22) within all of college football.

Continuing his play at this rate could help the Volunteers creep into the College Football Playoff.

DeSean Bishop

Bishop has been a sturdy back that’s kept the run game afloat, ranking sixth in yards (770) and fourth in touchdowns within the SEC.

Watch No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida for free on FuboTV

A look at Florida

A 3-7 record isn’t enough to make the College Football Playoff, and with only two games remaining on the schedule, Florida can say goodbye to meeting the six-win requirement to make a bowl game.

However, the Gators can spoil the seasons of their peers, especially the Volunteers. Doing so would end a three-game skid for the Florida squad.

The Gators offense ranks 12th in passing yards (217.1) and 15th in points (20.8) within the conference. The defense ties for 12th in points allowed (23.6) and ranks 12th in rushing yards allowed (143.2) in the conference.

Florida players to watch

DJ Lagway

The sophomore quarterback could be better, with a 12 touchdowns-13 interceptions ratio to his name.

Jadan Baugh

Baugh has been solid with 808 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Watch No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida for free on DIRECTV

Who is announcing Tennessee vs. Florida?

With this primetime matchup being broadcasted on ABC, it will be announced by Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter).

What are the latest odds for Tennessee vs. Florida?

Note: These odds are as of Friday afternoon.

Spread: TENN (-4, -112) | FL (+4, -108)

Moneyline: TENN (-205) | FL (+170)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Check out more information on how to watch the No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida game today on TV and streaming services:

What: No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida college football

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Gainesville, Fla.

Channel: ABC

Best streaming options: Fubo (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial), Sling (promotional offers as low as $4.99), ESPN streaming

About Fubo

Fubo, which offers a free trial, has three main packages: Pro costs $79.99/month; Elite is $89.99; Premier is priced at $99.99. Cancel before the free trial ends to avoid being charged. Fubo includes access to more than 185 sports, entertainment and news channels. You can record games, TV shows, movies and more.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, which also gives customers a free trial, offers four packages if you continue with the service after your trial ends: Entertainment for $69.99; Choice for $84.99; Ultimate for $109.99; and premier for $159.99. Choice offers the most channels for sports enthusiasts.

About Sling

Sling TV users can get a Day Pass for $4.99; Weekend Pass for $9.99; Week Pass for $14.99; Monthly Pass for $45.99 (and get half off your first month); and Season Pass for $199.99 for 5 months, then $45.99 per month thereafter. You can also subscribe to either the Blue package or the Orange package depending on your viewing preferences. Sling Blue allows up to three streams at a time and Sling Orange allows one stream at a time.

About ESPN

ESPN now offers an Unlimited Plan for $29.99 per month (or $299.99 for entire year) and a Select Plan for $11.99 per month (or $119.99 for entire year), which replicates its previous coverage of select games and broadcasts on ESPN Plus.