Paul Finebaum is not usually quick to hand out compliments to teams outside the SEC, but Florida State’s explosive 2-0 start caught his attention.
On ESPN’s SportsCenter segment “Paul IN or Paul OUT,” the college football analyst declared that the Seminoles are officially “back.” That’s no small statement considering he had written off FSU before the season, predicting Alabama would steamroll them in Week 1. Instead, Mike Norvell’s team stunned the Crimson Tide 31-17 on the road, and followed it with a near-perfect 77-3 rout of East Texas A&M.
Finebaum even joked that he was disappointed Florida State allowed a field goal in the blowout win. He praised Norvell for rebuilding the roster with both depth and top-end talent, saying the Seminoles now “look legitimate.” That credibility matters given FSU won only two games in all of 2024, yet has already matched that win total just two weeks into 2025.
Finebaum did note the path ahead for FSU has a few road blocks. Miami comes to Tallahassee in three week, which could be a national spotlight matchup. Also, the November trip to Gainesville against a Florida team that will be desperate to salvage its season. Not to mention, the game at Clemson in the second week of November will be key for both teams.
Beyond that, the rest of the ACC slate is manageable, with opponents like Wake Forest, NC State, and Virginia unlikely to match FSU’s talent level.
On the field, the Seminoles’ turnaround is anchored by a retooled offense behind Gus Malzahn, who has brought balance. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos has provided both efficiency and explosiveness, while a rebuilt offensive line has given playmakers time and space to thrive. The production on the ground and through the air has transformed an offense that looked stale a year ago.
Florida State has a chance to refine itself on the national scene. Finebaum’s declaration may feel bold after just two games, but the Seminoles have already shown they can compete. If their momentum holds, the Noles' return to relevance may not just be hype.
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