Mike Norvell, Seminole players eager for 'world to see' 2022 edition of FSU Football

The Caesars Superdome end zones are painted with school colors for each team, and everything is finally lined up for Florida State to battle LSU on Sunday night in what coaches and players say will be a gigantic opportunity for the Seminoles’ program.

Like always, most of the nation’s college programs are taking the field today, with more than 50 games during an action-packed week one.

But only one FBS game is taking place on Sunday: the tilt between FSU and LSU, which has been at the forefront of conversations in each camp all offseason. Beyond simply the exclusive national stage — kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC — the historical significance of the two programs should have all of college football’s attention.

And FSU head coach Mike Norvell is not downplaying the significance.

“To be able to play in a spotlight game, I mean, it’s great, I want the world to see what I get to coach. The young men I get to coach,” Norvell said. “These guys, they work really hard, and I just want them to be their best in the moment. That’s what were pushing for, that’s what we’re striving for.”

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Norvell explained that how well FSU fares against LSU will give him a good glimpse into the 2022 ’Noles. Not for the entire season necessarily, but where the group stands right now.

“Each (game) provides an opportunity to see growth. That’s what I love about football. Each week you have to go out and be your best, that is the objective,” Norvell said. “If you are [your best], then you have progressed and accomplished the objective of improvement. That’s what we have to do. …

“So yeah, we will get a real glimpse of where we are come Sunday night. What does that mean for the rest of the season? It’s the step in front of us. You can have any result, and what goes on beyond that is based on how you respond to the result.”

A handful of FSU’s most experienced veterans and respected names in the locker room – five starters and two key second-teamers on the LSU game-week depth chart – spoke with the media this week after practice about the enormous matchup with the Tigers.

That started with FSU redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Travis, who expressed confidence in his wide receivers, but most importantly, recognizes the chance FSU has to make a statement on Sunday.

“I’m pretty focused on the game, so I’m just looking forward to going out there and seeing our guys compete with their guys,” Travis said. “It’s special, it’s a dream come true for me and this football team. Able to compete on a stage like this. But at the end of the day, it’s another game. …

“Last week, I was up here watching film a lot (before the Duquesne game). I want to treat every week the same. Obviously, this is a big-time game, and it’s a big-time team.”

One of Travis’ top options, receiver Mycah Pittman, has played in plenty of games with national implications. The Oregon transfer talked about the keys to performing your best in those situations.

“A high-profile game, it’s just being calm, cool, collected,” Pittman said. “It’s just another game to me. At the end of the day, I know what’s on the table and I am going to do everything I can to help this team win.”

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A seasoned fourth-year linebacker that was a top performer at UCF, Tatum Bethune also has experienced a lot of college football before arriving in Tallahassee. But he didn’t mix words when talking about the enormity of the pending matchup within his football career and life.

“I would honestly say this is probably going to be my biggest game,” Bethune said. “I am prepared for it. I’ve played in big games since high school at Miami Central. It’s just, I feel like go out there and have fun, it’s a blessing to have moments like this.”

Defensive end Derrick McLendon emerged as a starter for FSU this offseason after backing up future NFL players Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas last fall.

Against LSU, McLendon will get the chance to show the nation he’s ready to replace some of the production lost from those two standouts.

“I am really excited, man. Our opportunity to play these guys, just to show who we are on this stage. Sunday night, we’re the only team playing. That’s really exciting,” McLendon said. “We have an opportunity to show our skill set. Show how far we’ve come. I am just ready, I’m anxious, I’ve got goosebumps.”

Third-year wideout Kentron Poitier led FSU with four catches for 84 yards in the season opener and is the top backup to Pittman on the depth chart. A receiver that’s emerging for FSU after playing the most snaps of his career during that Duquesne game, Poitier, is trying not to approach the LSU game any differently.

“It’s just another game. That’s what I keep it as. It’s just another game. It could be the Tampa Bay Bucs, and it’s just another game,” Poitier said. “I am looking forward to it, really looking forward.”

Former Mississippi State defensive back Jarrian Jones, who lined up against LSU in 2019 as a freshman before transferring to FSU, said the Seminoles are eager to bring home a victory.

“Anybody can be beat any given Saturday, in this case Sunday, so you kind of prepare for each team week-by-week,” Jones said. “It’s all about us. … It’s just all about us and what we can do to promote us winning, basically. Preparing ourselves for what we can do to win.”

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.