ESPN Projects Two Bowl Games For FSU Football, Same Opponent In Both

The Florida State Seminoles are only five days away from kicking off the 2026 campaign against the New Mexico State Aggies.

Going into the fall, some fans remain optimistic that the Seminoles will get back on track, while others believe the Mike Norvell era will come to a close before the season ends.

Every possibility is on the table ahead of Florida State's first game.

It's probably going to take a minimum of a 6-6 finish for Norvell to stick around in Tallahassee. That would take doing something the Seminoles haven't accomplished since 2023, making it to a bowl game.

A handful of outlets are expecting Florida State to end that drought.

ESPN Split On Bowl Game For FSU But Predicts Program To Play USF Regardless

Nov 1, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Duce Robinson (0) celebrates a pass catch during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On Saturday, ESPN released its preseason bowl projections, with Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach both getting in on the action.

While some of their choices were similar, the pair were split on Florida State's hypothetical destination.

Schlabach has the Seminoles making their way to Tampa for the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, facing off against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. That's the same venue where the program currently holds its home games.

Florida State has never appeared in the Gasparilla Bowl.

Bonagura has a different opinion on the venue. He selected FSU for the Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl, another postseason game that the Seminoles haven't played in previously. That contest will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.

Like Schlabach, Bonagura predicts Florida State to match up with USF.

Last season, Pittsburgh (8-5) represented the ACC in the Military Bowl while NC State (8-5) qualified for the Gasparilla Bowl. The Panthers lost, and the Wolfpack won. Taking that into the equation, Florida State would need to be around 7-5 to be in contention for either game.

The Bulls are an interesting opponent for Florida State. The Seminoles lead the series 3-1 all-time, but USF did upset FSU in Tallahassee in the inaugural matchup. The two programs haven't met up since 2016, a 55-35 victory for Florida State.

USF is entering a new chapter after Alex Golesh departed for Auburn, hiring Ohio State's Brian Hartline to lead the program.

The Bulls have former Florida State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek on their roster, but he's expected to begin the season as a backup.

Florida State will take whatever it can get to revive the program to its winning ways.

2026 Florida State Football Schedule:

Saturday, August 29 vs. New Mexico State - Tallahassee - 7:00 p.m. ET on The CW

Monday, September 7 vs. SMU – Tallahassee - 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, September 19 at Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala. - 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Saturday, September 26 vs. Central Arkansas – Tallahassee (Family Weekend/Hall of Fame)

Saturday, October 3 vs. Virginia – Tallahassee (Cancer Awareness)

Friday, October 9 at Louisville – Louisville, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, October 17 at Miami – Miami Gardens, Fla.

Saturday, October 31 vs. Clemson – Tallahassee (Military Appreciation)

Saturday, November 7 at Boston College – Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Saturday, November 13 at Pitt – Pittsburgh, Pa. - 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, November 21 vs. NC State – Tallahassee (Homecoming/Seminole Heritage/Athlete Alumni Reunion)

Friday, November 27 vs. Florida – Tallahassee - 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

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