Mike Norvell on ACC title game: 'It was earned on field'

Mike Norvell provided some thoughts on the new ACC title game format, as Florida State prepares to take on Louisville.

It should be a doozy of a game. The Seminoles may have sputtered to the finish line, but they’re still in prime position for a College Football Playoff berth. Ahead of the ACC Championship, Norvell elaborated on how it was earned on the field, for both programs.

“I thought it was great,” Norvell said, regarding how the new ACC title game model played out. “I’m glad that it didn’t come down to a tiebreaker or any of those things. I think that when you see two teams that have earned the opportunity to play in this championship, it’s big. Louisville’s played at an elite level throughout this year. They’ve got a great offense. Good defense. Impactful on special teams. We believe we’ve got some of those same characteristics, and that’s why we both have a chance to compete in this game.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a great matchup. But you know, it was earned on the field.”

Norvell makes some salient points. Florida State and Louisville are without a doubt the two best teams in the ACC. It’s only right they’ll meet under the brightest of lights.

Whether the College Football Playoff is in Florida State’s future or not remains to be seen, but Mike Norvell and the Seminoles can’t overlook the Cardinals next weekend. We’ll see if they can get the job done.

Florida State vs. Louisville odds: Early point spread released for ACC Championship Game

Alas, with Florida State and Louisville set to meet in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday, the early point spread for the title clash has been set.

The Seminoles will open as a 4.5-point favorite over the Cardinals, according to lines released by FanDuel.

The two teams have had quite different journeys to reach the ACC title game. It was a smooth ride for Florida State until the Seminoles lost their quarterback in the penultimate regular season game.

Florida State ripped off 10 straight wins before Jordan Travis suffered a devastating season-ending leg injury in a game against North Alabama. That injury likely kept the early point spread from being bigger.

Travis had done it all for the Seminoles. He finished his season with 2,755 passing yards, with 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He had also run for 176 yards and seven touchdowns.

Louisville, on the other hand, arrives at the ACC Championship Game on the heels of a loss to rival Kentucky, thus the early point spread. The Cardinals won 10 games in their first year under coach Jeff Brohm, riding a balanced offense to the championship game.

Quarterback Jack Plummer has thrown for 2,710 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s had a three-headed monster at running back that he’s been able to lean on.

Early point spread set, the ACC title game will be played at 8 p.m. ET at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday. It will be broadcast on ABC.