Mike Norvell certainly seemed to be leaning forward with his controller during Saturday’s game.
Florida State played on Saturday against No. 10-ranked Alabama. Despite being unranked, the Seminoles gave the Crimson Tide everything that they could handle in the first half.
FSU jumped out to a quick 14-3 lead in the first quarter and maintained a 21-13 advantage over Alabama before a brief lightning delay ahead of halftime. As a result, everyone made the same joke about the Seminoles head coach Norvell over social media.
They joked that Norvell suddenly started coaching like Nick Saban whenever he went up against the Crimson Tide.
Mike Norvell when he coaches against Alabama pic.twitter.com/JzM5FOmXLi
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 19, 2026
Mike Norvell when he plays Alabama pic.twitter.com/6nC3hMbAE8
— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) September 19, 2026
Mike Norvell when it’s time to coach against Alabama https://t.co/rpihfPm8Ew pic.twitter.com/XnQxVdnocR
— rofl, Esq. (@NightmareAlt) September 19, 2026
Mike Norvell when he plays Alabama pic.twitter.com/jdN7UKZAYc
— B1G Duck Energy (@B1GDuckEnergyy) September 19, 2026
Norvell, who is in his seventh season as the head coach at Florida State, has not been inspiring much confidence lately. After a 5-7 season in 2025 (preceded by a disastrous 2-10 campaign in 2024), the Seminoles have started this year at 1-1 and are coming off a 27-24 loss to No. 19-ranked SMU in Week 2. As a result, Norvell has been facing hot-seat rumors (especially after the firing of FSU athletic director Michael Alford earlier this week). He recently even had to respond to a viral video seemingly indicating that he was on his way out.
But Norvell did lead Florida State to an upset victory over then-No. 8-ranked Alabama last season as he clearly brings out his best coaching tricks against the Crimson Tide. The strong start against Alabama on Saturday may have at least temporarily quelled the rumors about Norvell potentially being replaced by a former Florida State legend instead.
