Who would’ve thought the No. 10 ranked FSU would suffer a miserable start to the 2024 season?! The Seminoles are one of ESPN’s top four teams expected to reach the College Football Playoffs, but the expectations crashed with them already losing two games in a row. Things aren’t looking bright for Florida State HC Matt Rhule, who signed a double-digit million-dollar contract extension with the program earlier this February.

In Week 0, FSU lost to Georgia Tech 24-21 before another upset loss against unranked Boston College, falling 28-13. Needless to say, many people are pointing fingers at Mike Norvell’s incompetence, some even hinting at his looming dismissal.

FSU’s poor performance led fans to believe that Mike Norvell’s job was in jeopardy, as one person on X wrote, “College football coaching is so ruthless. Norvell was the GOAT for 18 games and now there is a whole Spaces about how he needs to be fired two/three games later.” Indeed, Norvell led the Seminoles to a 13-1 record last season. He even won the ACC Coach of the Year award. So, it’s no wonder that the team extended his contract in February, which spiked his salary from $5.5 million to $9.875 million this season. But he doesn’t seem to be playing to the worth of his salary.

After the “sickening” season opener against Georgia Tech in Dublin, Norvell took accountability for his team’s loss. He said, “It’s sickening that we came up short and I take total responsibility and ownership for that. It’s my job to have the team prepared to go and play to the best of our ability. I don’t believe that was our best.” Still, the September 2 game didn’t see improvements; rather, it saw FSU slacking even further.

FSU loses two games in a row under Mike Norvell

After losing their last game against Boston College, Mike Norvell appeared devastated at the team’s result. In his postgame speech, he said, “I’m sick of his this season started. Tonight, I failed in preparing the team to go out and respond.” Could it be perhaps that the Seminoles lost their star players like Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman, Jared Verse, and Braden Fiske?

Still, this 0-2 start is earning Mike Norvell all the wrong sorts of attention. What lies in store for him is a mystery, but as of now, he’s still believing in his team with all his heart. He said, “You’ve got a football team that nobody envisioned ever being where we are and having disappointment, having failure, but I do believe in what this team can accomplish.” An epic comeback against Memphis on September 14 could ease the pressure on Norvell, but another loss could really leave him in the trench.