Mike Norvell called out UVA’s RB a good back. Only to then fire his shot with a challenge/threat. After weeks of physical dominance, No. 8 Florida State Seminoles football will finally take its show on the road for the first time when it takes on Virginia (3-1) in its ACC opener at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at Scott Stadium. It will be a physical game, so who’s the biggest threat?

Cavaliers senior running back J’Mari Taylor caught some strays from the FSU coach. The 5-foot-9 spark plug has been a nightmare for defenses early in 2025, racking up 48 carries for nearly 300 yards and six touchdowns. A fearless guy in traffic, he lowers his pads without hesitation and turns routine plays into highlight clips. Mike Norvell tipped his cap in the pre-presser, then slipped in a sharp warning via Warchant.com. “You better bring your pads.” A warning that things are going to get tough, but J’Mari is the threat here. It will be up to FSU defensive back Earl Little Jr. to lock things up with his defense.

That challenge comes with context. Both Florida State and Virginia have been torching the stat sheet, leaving defensive coordinators burning through late-night film sessions. FSU enters ranked No. 1 in the nation in total offense, averaging an absurd 628.7 yards per game alongside 58.0 points. They’ve cleared the 700-yard mark in back-to-back weeks, turning games into track meets by halftime.

Virginia hasn’t exactly been quiet either. The Cavaliers sit fifth in the country in total offense (564.5 yards per game) and 11th in scoring (45.5 points per game). They’ve dropped at least 45 points in each of their three victories, including a 48-point outburst against Stanford in their conference opener.

Mike Norvell didn’t sugarcoat the challenge. “They were elite, as seen in their performance against the Cardinal. They’ve got some receivers that can absolutely go,” he said, before circling back to the ground game. “They can absolutely play. Running backs run hard, which is why they are averaging well over 500 yards per carry. I mean, they’re an impressive group.” Consider it part praise, part scouting report, and part reminder that UVA won’t just roll over because the Noles walk into town wearing garnet and gold.

The matchup has Tony White’s fingerprints all over it, too. FSU’s DC has crafted a unit that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in a game this season. But he knows Taylor and quarterback Chandler Morris (the sixth-year transfer now on his fourth program) represent a different level of stress test. “Virginia is no joke,” White said flatly. And he isn’t kidding. Morris has brought veteran savvy to the Cavaliers’ offense, spreading the ball to his receivers while keeping defenses honest with his legs.

Norvell himself admitted that Morris changes the equation. “He’s a challenge to go against,” the coach said, crediting the QB’s ability to steady Virginia’s offense while creating chunk plays through the air. That, combined with Taylor’s bruising runs and a receiver room full of burners, sets up a collision between two of the nation’s most explosive attacks.

Seminoles get good news on injury front

One thing Florida State fans love to hear before a big road test, it’s the phrase “back at practice.” Mike Norvell delivered exactly that this week, sprinkling in some optimism during his injury update. QB1 Tommy Castellanos, who has been nursing a knock, managed to get in work. “Today, he was able to get some work. I feel confident about where that is going to be,” Norvell said. That alone should calm plenty of nerves.

He wasn’t done there. Wide receiver Squirrel White and offensive lineman Rand Pittman Jr. are also trending in the right direction. “Barring a setback, I feel very confident that they will both be available,” Norvell added. With Virginia looming and history showing the Cavaliers have taken two of the last three, the Seminoles know every healthy body could matter.