Jordan Travis details how FSU is putting preseason pressure into proper perspective

Everyone is well aware of the overall attention and spotlight on Florida State coming into this fall. Even so, Seminole QB Jordan Travis isn’t focused on the season’s expectations as a whole considering what’s up first for them.

Travis spoke about the pressure on their season and how the program is handling those expectations during a media availability in Jacksonville a few days back. He said that he doesn’t feel like they’re under any duress based on how they prepare and because they’re locked in on only their opener in Orlando.

“There’s no pressure ever,” Travis said. “We’re focused on LSU and that’s all we’re focused on right now.”

“I feel like this football team does a good job of just taking it day by day. Week by week, game by game,” continued Travis. “When it comes to game week? I mean we’re focused on LSU. We’re not focused about Southern Miss. I just think Coach Norvell does a good job keeping our heads straight, keeping the main thing the main thing.”

The assumption is that Florida State will eventually play for the 2023 ACC Championship as one of the two best teams in the league. Athlon Sports and Phil Steele had the Seminoles finishing first in their preseason conference power ratings while On3’s Jesse Simonton and the ACC Media Poll had FSU finishing second only to Clemson.

Still, with everyone else anticipating their eventual appearance in Charlotte come December, the focus of Travis and his teammates couldn’t be further from that date. As he says, there are too many things for them to lock in on this month and in preparation for the Tigers for them to concern themselves with anything but what’s right in front of them.

“We’ve got an off day tomorrow, we got meetings tomorrow. Come back for meetings, give everything we’ve got,” said Travis. “We have to have intensity in everything we do. But, yeah, we’re just focused on the game in front of us.”

 Travis recalls collective decision to return to FSU to resolve ‘unfinished business’

Florida State has the most returning production of any team in the country, per ESPN’s Bill Connelly. This massive boost for the Seminoles isn’t an accident. On Friday, FSU quarterback Jordan Travis broke down his decision to return, along with his fellow teammates.

“Obviously, you have to do what’s best for you at the end of the day. We talked a little bit. Jared (Verse) was probably the most secretive out of everybody,” Travis said. “We had unfinished business. We all came back, we have goals and expectations for the football team this year.”

In total, the Seminoles return 87% of their production in 2023.

While riding the momentum of Mike Norvell‘s first 10-win season with the program, hopes are high for the Seminoles this season. Travis wants to deliver on those expectations and then some.

“We committed to Florida State University. When you commit to a school? You have to give your best and pray for the best for your future and the school,” Travis said. “Obviously, coming back was big for everything — recruiting, obviously.”

“All of us coming back, it brings confidence back to this football team, a lot of experience. It’s in the back of your head, but at the end of the day, you got to do what’s best for you, and I feel like we all did what’s best for us.”