Florida State Football: Reflecting on the 2025 Season and Looking Ahead to 2026
Florida State's 2025 regular season concluded with a 40-21 loss to the Florida Gators, resulting in a 5-7 record under head coach Mike Norvell. Despite falling short of a sixth win, the Seminoles were hopeful for a postseason opportunity. However, with a shortage of teams available for bowl games, it seems Florida State will not be playing football again this year.
Following the College Football Playoff bracket announcement, other bowl games began to surface, but the Seminoles were not included. Teams like Iowa State, Kansas State, and Notre Dame opted out of bowl games, creating an opening for transitioning FBS programs like Missouri State and Delaware to participate.
Despite being among the top options for a bowl game spot, Florida State has declined the opportunity to play in the JLAB Birmingham Bowl against Georgia Southern. Several other 5-7 teams, including Auburn, UCF, Baylor, Rutgers, Temple, and Kansas, also turned down bowl bids, leading to Appalachian State stepping in as a replacement.
The decision by Florida State to forego a bowl game may not come as a surprise to fans, as the team is focused on making improvements for the future. With coaching staff changes and player departures, the Seminoles are looking to upgrade their roster and avoid another disappointing season in 2026.
As the Seminoles regroup and plan for the future, stay tuned to NoleGameday for continued coverage of Florida State Football throughout the 2025 season.