FSU Seminoles football at ACC Media Kickoff: Here are the big questions they must answer

With the 2025 ACC Media Kickoff rapidly approaching, Florida State football finally revealed its four representatives on July 10.

The biggest question hovering over Tallahassee is whether FSU is how it can rebound from its 2-10 season last year with Mike Norvell entering his sixth season as head coach.

Norvell made the necessary offseason moves by hiring two new coordinators and upgrading the roster through the transfer portal, including adding new quarterback Tommy Castellanos. FSU will not speak until the second day on July 23.

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Here are some questions heading into the media kickoff:

How do Seminoles respond to early season Alabama challenge?

The season opener for the FSU-Alabama game is a month away, and there is already hype in this SEC-ACC matchup, especially after the comments from Castellanos.

It is interesting to see if the teammates can back up what the former Boston College QB said, or if he stands by his words. The kickoff is set for Saturday, Aug. 30, at 3:30 p.m.

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Can Gus Malzahn's offense spark some life?

FSU's new offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, is running the show on offense.

After leaving his head coaching job at UCF, questions will be asked if Malzahn can spark FSU's offense after finishing in the bottom barrel in total yardage (270.3), rushing (89.9), and scoring (15.4). Malzahn is known for his tempo-style offense, with a priority on running the football.

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With the addition of Castellanos, FSU added some more weapons from the transfer portal, with Duce Robinson and Squirrel White projected to be the starters this season.

After FSU struggled to find consistency from the wide receiver group, expect questions about the chemistry between Castellanos and his new receivers.

How comfortable is the team now playing in Tony White's 3-3-5 scheme?

FSU will be playing a whole new defensive scheme run by Tony White. White's system is a 3-3-5, which he brought from his last stop at Nebraska.

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With Darrell Jackson leading the defensive line and Earl Little, who will likely be one of the five starters in the secondary, the two returnees will be asked where they stand on White's new scheme after being used to playing in a basic 4-3.

Is there a distinct coaching approach from Mike Norvell?

After going 2-10, some could say that Norvell's job could be in jeopardy if the Seminoles finish with a losing record. While Norvell's philosophy might not change, but approach could be different.

Expect questions about Norvell's mindset heading into this season, and for the players, whether there is anything different about Norvell compared to previous years.

How will the new revenue sharing rules in NCAA impact this year?

Now that college football begins a new era with revenue shares following the House settlement. Questions will be asked of all coaches and players about the new rev-share model.

Players may not specify what they are making, but input on being part of college football and being impactful will also be worth asking.

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2025 ACC Football Kickoff

Tuesday, July 22ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D.CaliforniaMiamiSMUStanfordVirginia Wednesday, July 23Florida StateGeorgia TechLouisvillePittSyracuseWake Forest Thursday, July 24Boston CollegeClemsonDukeNorth CarolinaNC StateVirginia Tech 

Florida State football 2025 schedule

• Aug. 30, Alabama, 3:30 p.m.
• Sept. 6, East Texas A&M, Noon
• Sept. 20, Kent State, TBA
• Sept. 26, at Virginia (Friday), 7 p.m.
• Oct. 4, Miami, TBA
• Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, TBA
• Oct. 18, at Stanford, 10:30 p.m.
• Nov. 1 Wake Forest, TBA
• Nov. 8 at Clemson, TBA
• Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA
• Nov. 21 North Carolina State (Fri.), 8 p.m.
• Nov. 29, Florida, TBA

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Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football at ACC Media Kickoff: Biggest questions facing Seminoles