Mike Norvell Live: FSU football eyes improvements during bye Week

Florida State enters its first bye week of the 2026 season looking for answers after a disappointing Labor Day loss to SMU at Doak Campbell Stadium. Seminoles coach Mike Norvell will address reporters Tuesday for his final public reflection on the defeat, while outlining the team’s priorities during the break and its early preparations for a challenging road matchup against Alabama.

FSU sits at 1-1 overall and 0-1 in ACC play following the setback against the Mustangs. The bye week gives the Seminoles an opportunity to regroup, address key areas of concern and prepare for one of their toughest tests of the season.

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Norvell is expected to discuss lessons learned from the SMU loss, player development opportunities during the open week and the team’s focus heading into its first road trip of the year.

FSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to face No. 12 Alabama on Sept. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with national television coverage on ABC.

Follow along for live updates, comments and key takeaways from Norvell’s weekly press conference as the Seminoles begin preparations for their showdown with the Crimson Tide.
2026 schedule

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• Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State, W 34-17

• Sept. 7: vs. SMU, L, 27-24

• Sept. 13: Bye

• Sept. 19: at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

• Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, TBD

• Oct. 3: vs. Virginia, TBD

• Oct. 9: at Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)

• Oct. 17: at Miami, TBD

• Oct. 24: Bye

• Oct. 31: vs. Clemson, TBD

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• Nov. 7: at Boston College, TBD

• Nov. 13: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)

• Nov. 21: vs. NC State, TBD

• Nov. 27: vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. (ABC, Friday)

Sept. 19: at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, TBD

Oct. 9: at Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)

Nov. 13: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)

Nov. 27: vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. (ABC, Friday)

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell Live: FSU football eyes improvements during bye Week