Florida State's Mike Norvell clings to job as Seminoles face Wake Forest

It feels like Mike Norvell's Florida State tenure is hanging on by a string.

The Seminoles (3-4, 0-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference) took their fourth straight loss Oct. 18 at Stanford despite being three-score favorites. It doubled as their ninth straight ACC loss.

Florida State athletic director Michael Alford put out a statement two days later that said, in part, "our complete assessment of the football program will be completed at season's end."

For Norvell's sake, the Seminoles badly need a win when they host Wake Forest Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

A problem for Florida State, beyond its own recent struggles, is that what was expected to be a game against one of the ACC's lesser opponents now looks more challenging.

The Demon Deacons (5-2, 2-2), picked to finish 16th out of 17 in the ACC, already has as many conference wins as it had in either of the last two seasons.

Wake Forest heads south coming off the biggest win of first-year coach Jake Dickert's tenure, a 13-12 win over SMU that handed the Mustangs their first ACC loss of the season.

"Incredible resolve in our football team," Dickert said. "I really believe our belief in what we're doing, really in all three phases, is truly unshakeable. And I think that's what you experienced."

The Demon Deacons turned it over five times in the win, but the defense allowed no points on them and held a potent SMU offense to 246 yards.

Quarterback Robby Ashford (thumb) played early in the game despite being limited. Deshawn Purdie got the majority of the reps vs. SMU, throwing for 183 yards and two interceptions.

Dickert didn't clarify who would start against Florida State, but did say Ashford will only be the full-time starter if he's 100%.

The Seminoles' bye after the Stanford loss was a timely one as quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1,607 passing yards, 14 total TDs, five picks) took a hit to the head while sliding late in the game. Norvell said he likely would not have been available last Saturday, but may be able to play this week.

"He was able to get some work towards the end of the week, and I'm excited about what's ahead for this week," Norvell said. "But we'll have to take it day by day as this week unfolds."

--Field Level Media