All FBS football teams have played at least five games, while a large number have played six games in the 2026 season. Here’s a look at how FSU (3-3, 1-2 ACC) stacks up in the national rankings in a variety of categories going into Saturday’s game at Miami.
Let’s start on offense, where coach Mike Norvell has turned to play-calling responsibilities after the retirement of Gus Malzahn. In FSU’s four games against Power 4 opponents (SMU, at Alabama, Virginia and at Louisville), FSU is averaging 29.5 points.
Of note: Malzahn’s offense averaged 33 points in 2025 — although FSU scored just 55 combined points in the last four road games (Stanford, Clemson, NC State and Florida).
Scoring offense — 31.0 points (tied 62nd)
Rushing offense — 187.2 yards (43rd)
Passing offense — 222.3 yards (79th)
Total offense — 409.5 yards (56th)
Red zone efficiency — 95.8 percent, converting 23 of 24 opportunities with 19 touchdowns (6th)
Third-down conversions — 42.3 percent (63rd)
Fourth-down conversions — 8 of 13, 61.5 percent (tied 48th)
Tony White is in year 2 coordinating FSU’s defense. The Seminoles have not seen the improvement that Norvell and White projected, as FSU’s scoring defense allowed 22 points in 2025. White’s theory that a lighter line in 2026 would be able to hold up against the run has not materialized at Alabama and at Louisville.
In the four games vs. Power 4 opponents, FSU has allowed an average of 32 points.
Scoring defense — 25.3 points (83rd)
Rushing defense — 165.5 yards (102nd)
Passing defense — 244.7 yards (114th)
Total defense — 410.2 yards (122nd)
Red zone efficiency — 76.5 percent (32nd)
Third-down conversions — 40.9 percent (100th)
Fourth-down conversions — 5 of 13, 38.5 percent (35th)
Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a gift card at Alumni Hall.
