After a jaw-dropping 13-0 start to the 2023 season, Florida State hit a wall, going a brutal 7-18 ever since. Yeah, you read that right. Seven wins, eighteen losses. For a program with FSU’s history, that kind of slide is unacceptable, and the pressure is absolutely on Mike Norvell and his squad to kick off 2026 with a statement win, not another struggle.
The Aggies Are Ready To Throw A Wrench In The Seminoles’ Plans
Here’s the thing about this New Mexico State team: they can’t run the ball. At all. They were literally the worst rushing team in the entire nation last season. So, what are Tony Sanchez’s Aggies going to do? They’re going to throw, and throw, and keep throwing. This immediately flags a huge red warning sign for Florida State, who struggled massively against the pass last year. Remember, the Noles were 0-6 last season whenever an opposing quarterback completed at least 60% of their throws. That’s a stat that should make every FSU fan nervous, especially with Trey Hedden, a big, strong passer from Furman, ready to stress-test those Seminole defensive backs. Adam Damante might even see time too. This NMSU offense, despite its one-dimensional nature, absolutely will target FSU’s major weakness.
FSU’s Offense Needs To Silence The Doubters Immediately
Alright, so the defense has its work cut out for it. But on the other side of the ball, Florida State has a chance to really flex its muscles. New Mexico State isn’t bringing a big pass rush to Tallahassee; in fact, finding a pass rush is their biggest concern this season outside of their nonexistent run game. That means new FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels, who comes in from Auburn, should have all the time in the world to operate. He’s got a strong receiving corps to work with, and this game is the perfect opportunity for the FSU passing game to absolutely explode. The Seminole defense, despite its passing game woes, shouldn’t have much trouble overall with NMSU’s complete lack of a ground game, which means the offense just needs to do its job and put up points.
This isn’t a typical “tune-up” game for FSU, who rarely plays non-power conference teams to open the season. They need to come out roaring. The forecast? Florida State 45, New Mexico State 10. That’s a 35-point beatdown, but the FSU faithful are desperate for it. After this game, things get real fast with an ACC opener against SMU up next, followed by a brutal trip to Alabama. The Noles simply cannot afford to stumble here; they have to use this game to build confidence and momentum.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply