Mike Norvell details how he challenges Florida State amid its undefeated start

The Seminoles are off to a 4-0 start to the season and that undefeated start at Florida State includes a win over LSU and a tough conference road win at Louisville. Mike Norvell and his No. 23 Florida State squad finally squeezed in a much more comfortable 44-14 win over Boston College this weekend.

Not only did the win keep the Seminoles undefeated, but it set up a ranked-on-ranked matchup with No. 22 Wake Forest this weekend in Tallahassee.

“I am very pleased with this team for all that they’ve done up until this point, but especially this week because we came off a couple of emotional games,” Norvell said after the Boston College win. “We came off of being on the road. Y’all saw it. We were down a lot of players tonight, a lot of guys that didn’t play and you just continue to push that mindset of, ‘if you get your opportunity, go make it. Go make it the best that it can be.’ So I’m proud about that.”

In both of the team’s games away from home Florida State managed to pull out one-score victories.

The Seminoles are certainly no stranger to one-score games under Norvell, though the results have just as often been negative as positive. FSU lost its first four games a year ago, with three of those decided by just one score. Four of the team’s seven losses — and three of the wins — in 2021 were decided by just one score.

Making sure FSU continues on an upward trajectory is key, and that’s what Norvell is focused on.

“Just seeing the growth, seeing the confidence, the way these guys care about playing with each other, that’s what makes this place special,” Norvell said. “That’s what makes this team special. We are at the beginning. We’re a third of the way through this season. All these things have to continue to grow.

“I point back to a year ago where a third of the way through the season there was a drastic change. But ultimately we are in position that if we will do the things necessary you’re going to continue to see those positive steps.”

Can Florida State’s undefeated start continue?

Wake Forest represents the most immediate threat to Florida State’s undefeated start, ready to head to Tallahassee this weekend assuming Hurricane Ian doesn’t impact the game.

For now that still looks to be on track.

The message in Tallahassee is pretty straightforward right now. Just keep building.

“For us, are we approaching each day to go out there and maximize what we have in front of us?” Norvell said. “I challenge this team. I challenge them in everything that they do to go be their best and build them up on what they can do.

“That was my message to them just right there in the postgame: You can. You can do this. You can go and put together a performance if you prepare throughout the course of the week as good as you can, you can put that on display.”

This weekend’s contest against Wake Forest is just the start of a brutal next three weeks that are all but certain to determine whether Florida State is a legitimate contender in the ACC.

Waiting after Wake Forest is a trip to No. 10 NC State, then a home date with No. 5 Clemson.

“Where we go, the choice is ours,” Norvell said. “The schedule’s going to continue to elevate. Each opportunity is more of a focus, more of a spotlight. And I just want these guys to be what I know they’re capable of.

“Like I said, the choice for that investment, that’s what we’ve got to make, and I believe that these young men will. But yes I’m extremely proud of where they are and what they’ve done up to this point in the season.”