It’s hard to believe that we’re less than 20 months removed from Mike Norvell being the hottest coaching name in college football thanks to an undefeated regular season at FSU, but like their arch rivals in Gainesville, the Seminoles are in desperate need of a major improvement in 2025.
There is no rest for the weary. FSU opens the season at home against Alabama. For obvious reasons, the Crimson Tide are heavy favorites to win the game. FSU’s coaching staff underwent a total overhaul after last year’s nightmare 2-10 campaign. Former Auburn and UCF head coach Gus Malzahn enters his first years as FSU’s offensive coordinator. Malzahn He is one of the few coaches with a record of offensive production against the Tide’s vaunted defense, but he is starting from a clean slate compared to the season finales he faced against Alabama when he had a full season of information to evaluate at Auburn.
The starting quarterback for Florida State in the 2025 season is Thomas (Tommy) Castellanos, a senior who transferred from Boston College and also spent time at UCF. Though preseason power rankings place FSU near the bottom of the ACC, optimism lingers around smart scheming and an improved mindset. Early tests—the likes of Alabama and Miami in the opener or early games—will tell us if the Seminoles renovations to their roster are as impressive as their renovations to Doak Campbell Stadium.
Over in Gainesville, the Florida Gatorsmanaged to finish above .500 last season, the 8-5 record and minor bowl was a huge disappointment for a fan base that hasn’t seen their team win a major bowl since 2009. Sophomore Quarterback DJ Lagway returns as the team’s most high-profile recruit and a central piece of Napier’s offense, but a series of nagging injuries could limit his minutes in the season opener vs. Long Island.
Jake Slaughter, a standout center and preseason All‑American, anchors a battle-tested offensive line and will be a stabilizing force Running back Jadan Baugh looks to build off a breakout year and keep the ground game thriving.With a hair’s breadth between them and playoff contention, Florida enters the season with rising expectations—but little room for error, if Napier is to keep his job.
Meanwhile in Miami, the Hurricanes are hoping that yet another high-profile quarterback transfer can replicate Cam Ward’s success during his final season last year for the Canes. Ex-Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is an early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but there’s no guarantee that he will be able to avoid an upset or two such as the losses Miami suffered against underdogs Georgia Tech and Syracuse in the final stretch of the 2024 regular season. Miami finished 2024 as the top-ranked offense in the nation but it wasn’t enough to avoid a loss in the Pop Tarts Bowl vs. Iowa State. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. steps into the spotlight and is expected to approach 1,000 yards, inheriting a potent backfield role. The defense has been overhauled under new DC Corey Hetherman, with a wave of transfers injected into the secondary.
Ranked 10th preseason by some metrics, the Hurricanes aim to translate offensive firepower into consistency—especially in tough games like their opener vs. No. 6 Notre Dame. A solid defensive turnaround will be key to taking the next step. Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal has six years left on his contract. He signed a 10-year contract in December 2021, but if the Canes don’t make it to a major bowl game or the college football playoff, don’t be surprised if rumors of a buyout of his contract begin before the season ends.
Down in Orlando, the University of Central Florida called Scott Frost to come home again. Frost, who led the Knights to an undefeated season during his first stent at UCF, was unable to replicate his path to success when he returned to his alma mater: Nebraska. Despite his disappointing tenure with the Cornhuskers, many UCF fans are optimistic that Frost can build on the blueprint he laid a decade ago.
If early results go well—especially a season opener against UNC with Bill Belichick coaching—it could energize the rebuilding effort. The Knights’ defensive stalwarts give a foundation, but the offense must find its footing quickly. The defensive line remains a pillar of strength under coach Kenny Martin, featuring vets like John Walker, Horace Lockett, and Nyjalik Kelly.
The offensive line, however, is largely untested and in need of cohesion, with Paul Rubelt among the few experienced returnee. National outlook is mixed—ranked 74th in RJ Young’s “Ultimate 136,” with win total projections hovering around 5–6 games.
