ESPN analyst sees Florida State football as dangerous ACC spoiler
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Florida State may not be entering the 2026 season among the ACC’s clear-cut favorites, but Greg McElroy believes the Seminoles could still have a significant impact on the conference race.
The ESPN college football analyst placed Florida State in Tier 3 of his preseason ACC breakdown, grouping the Seminoles among the league’s potential “spoiler” teams. McElroy pointed to FSU’s talent and difficult schedule as reasons Mike Norvell’s team could disrupt the plans of several contenders this fall.
“The last spoiler in this tier is the program that cannot really get out of its own way,” McElroy said. “The coach coaching for his professional life, but I’ll tell you this, they have enough talent to wreck somebody’s October, for sure.”
Florida State enters 2026 attempting to rebound from consecutive losing seasons. The Seminoles finished 5-7 last year after opening with a 31-17 victory over then-No. 8 Alabama, bringing their combined record over the past two seasons to 7-17.
McElroy described 2026 as a “make-or-break year” for Norvell but also outlined why he believes a turnaround is possible.
Among the reasons for optimism is transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels, who arrived after spending one year with the Auburn Tigers after previously playing at Stanford. Daniels started three of Auburn’s final four games in 2025 and produced 259 passing yards and 108 rushing yards against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
The Seminoles also return one of the ACC’s premier offensive weapons in Duce Robinson. The 6-foot-6 receiver caught 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns last season, earning first-team All-ACC honors. Florida State further strengthened its backfield with Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner, who accumulated 1,734 rushing yards across three seasons with the Longhorns.
Another change comes on the sideline. Gus Malzahn retired in February after one season as Florida State’s offensive coordinator, with Tim Harris Jr. promoted to offensive coordinator. Norvell, who relinquished play-calling duties to Malzahn in 2025, is resuming play-calling this season.
Where McElroy sees the biggest obstacle is Florida State’s schedule. The Seminoles face SMU, Alabama, Louisville, Miami and Clemson during the first nine weeks, with Florida waiting in the regular-season finale. FSU officially opens Aug. 29 against New Mexico State before hosting SMU on Labor Day.
That combination of talent, urgency and opportunity is why McElroy views Florida State as particularly dangerous even without placing the Seminoles among his top ACC contenders.
“In a one-game week, any given Saturday, Florida State can knock you off,” McElroy said, “which makes them the perfect spoiler in the ACC.”
Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: ESPN analyst sees Florida State football as dangerous ACC spoiler
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos