© Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Has Mike Norvell coached his last football game at Florida State? If so, there weren’t many on site to witness it firsthand.
Absolutely nobody showed up to watch the Seminoles lose to Stanford in California. Unfortunately, those watching along on television saw the debacle in all its glory.
The season has gone into full tailspin for Florida State following an electric start. A Week 1 upset of Alabama has largely been forgotten. The ‘Noles are now just 3-4 and winless in ACC play.
FSU has lost four consecutive one-score contests after beginning the year 3-0. The most recent has many questioning the coaching staff.
Florida State lost a football game to Stanford.
This is a Cardinal team that owns a loss to Hawaii and a one-point win over San Jose State. They are far from the upper echelon in terms of college football competition.
It didn’t stop them from pulling the upset as 17-point home underdogs.
Despite being outgained by 150 yards, Stanford left with a 20-13 victory. The end of the contest was filled with drama.
Florida State trailed by a touchdown in the final seconds. It threw a Hail Mary on what it believed would be the final play.
That 53-yard pass from was caught. It was short of the endzone, however. The clock initially appeared to expire. Officials later put two seconds back on to give the Seminoles one final chance to tie.
If you missed the ending to Stanford vs FSU, here it is:
Absolute CHAOS! PAC 12 AFTER DARK IS STILL ALIVE! pic.twitter.com/EDRvbrZ760
— Im not a fan of your favorite team (@fsh733) October 19, 2025
An incomplete pass then appeared to end the game for a second time. A flag was thrown for pass interference to give Florida State life yet again.
❌ access denied ❌
With the game on the line, Stanford gets the stop!@StanfordFball | @GoStanford | #GoStanford | @cpisecurity pic.twitter.com/hdeJkzjOhU
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 19, 2025
The Seminoles then executed a shovel pass for what looked to be a game-tying score. Referees said the ball carrier did not cross the plane. A video review took place. The call was upheld.
The game finally ended with a Stanford win. Cheers from the home crowd were few and far between. There was nobody in attendance!
Nothing says ACC Football like the Stanford band, an empty stadium, and a 10:30 p.m. ET kick pic.twitter.com/ePS83UAuuH
— Chris Nee (@CNee247) October 19, 2025
Stanford Stadium seats more than 50,000 fans. An official attendance number of 26,470 was announced. That seemed generous.
The small crowd on hand for the major upset was initially a headline. Now, Mike Norvell is now at the center of discussion.
Will Mike Norvell be fired?
The heat on his seat is scorching. It’s not something that could’ve been predicted when looking back just two seasons.
The ‘Noles won the ACC with an undefeated regular season in 2023. They would’ve been a shoo-in for the College Football Playoff had it not been for an injury to starting quarterback Jordan Travis.
One year later, though, things fell apart.
Florida State went 2-10 with DJ Uiagalelei leading the charge. Tommy Castellanos was brought in to right the ship. After making early headwinds, that ship has stopped sail.
After four straight losses, Norvell’s job security is fading. Will he be Florida State’s football coach next year?
That’s a $60 million question given his buyout.
Florida State owes Norvell about $59.2 million if it chooses to fire him Oct. 19 after the Stanford game… The buyout total is dictated by his contract, which stipulates Norvell receives 85% of his base salary and supplemental pay for the remainder of the contract.
-USA Today
That number would best that of recently fired James Franklin to be the second-largest college football buyout on record.
Mike Norvell is 5-15 over his last 20 games. We’ll soon know if that’s the tipping point for the Seminoles.