Florida State Withholds Depth Chart Ahead of New Mexico State Opener

Florida State steps onto the field at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, launching its 80th season of football against New Mexico State in a Week 0 matchup. The contest marks a crucial juncture for a program looking to steady itself after a tumultuous stretch.

Mike Norvell Confronts Pivotal Season Without a Depth Chart

Head coach Mike Norvell enters his seventh season in Tallahassee carrying a 38-34 overall record, though the Seminoles stumbled through a difficult 7-17 run over the previous two years. Following a 2025 campaign that began with a victory over Alabama but finished with seven losses in the final nine games, the program opted for a strict internal approach during preseason camp. There’s no denying the 2025 season was a disappointment for Florida State under Mike Norvell. Despite opening the year with a stunning upset of No. 7 Alabama and climbing as high as No. 7 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Seminoles lost seven of their final nine games and finished with a second consecutive losing season, marking the second such stretch of the Norvell era and the third since 2018. That’s a big reason why the 2026 season looms as pivotal for both Norvell and the program. Florida State’s bid for a turnaround begins Saturday, Aug. 29, when it opens the campaign at home against New Mexico State in Week 0. Breaking from college football tradition, Norvell decided against releasing depth charts at all for the 2026 season. Though they’re facing a Conference USA opponent as more than a four-touchdown favorite, Norvell opted not to release a depth chart, per Noles247’s Kolby Crawford. The decision raised eyebrows online, as it seemed to indicate a need for secrecy against an overmatched opponent. However, Norvell said Monday that the team will not be releasing depth charts at all in 2026. Norvell enters his seventh season at FSU with a 38-34 record overall, but he’s just 7-17 over the last two seasons. Given those stakes, it seems Norvell would like to keep as much information internal as possible.

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Newcomers and Roster Turnover Face Early Test

The Seminoles’ 109-man roster features 62 newcomers, including 23 transfers and six new assistant coaches. All of FSU’s “new” must mesh: The Seminoles have 62 newcomers on a 109-man roster, with the majority of the 23 transfers expected to be in the two-deep depth chart. Add in a few freshmen who should contribute and six new assistant coaches, and it’s fair to expect some speed bumps (communication issues, pre-snap penalties and missed tackles) in FSU’s first game. Running game depth anchors the offensive approach, returning Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. alongside Texas transfer Tre’ Wisner, who rushed for 1,000 yards at Texas in 2024. Show off a dominant run game: FSU returns Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. and brings in transfer Tre’ Wisner, who ran for 1,000 yards at Texas in 2024. It doesn’t matter who starts but what will be fun to watch is the rotation. Defensively, the program features eight defensive linemen with FBS experience, alongside the nation’s No. 1 junior college defensive end, Jalen Anderson. Twins Mandrell and Darryll Desir are among FSU’s eight defensive linemen with FBS experience. That’s not counting the nation’s No. 1 junior college defensive end, Jalen Anderson. Former Seminoles K Sebastian Janikowski, a two-time Lou Groza Award winner, will have his jersey retired during Saturday’s game.

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New Mexico State Visits Tallahassee on Guarantee Deal

New Mexico State travels to Florida for the guarantee game under third-year head coach Tony Sanchez, who holds a 7-17 record with the Aggies (27-57 overall). The visitors arrive earning $1.4 million to play the guarantee game at FSU, bringing 215 combined FBS starts—second in Conference USA to only Liberty (279).

The Aggies feature QB Trey Hedden, a Tampa native who impressed in two seasons at Furman. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Hedden threw for a program-record 2,967 yards, completing 68.3% of his passes with 17 TDs as a sophomore in 2025. NM State is 0-10 in its history vs. current ACC schools, including an 0-3 mark against SMU.

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The two programs met just once previously, resulting in a 36-0 Florida State victory in 1964. FSU has played Week 0 games in 2022 (defeating Duquesne) and 2024 (losing to Georgia Tech at Dublin). The Seminoles have won three of their past four season openers, including a 31-17 victory over Alabama on Aug. 30, 2025.

Broadcast Details and Matchup Logistics

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 29 inside Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Fans will have to do some extra scrolling on the TV guide to find the game, as it won’t be on a traditional college football station like ESPN, Fox or CBS. It instead will be carried on The CW Network.

The Week 0 matchup between Florida State and New Mexico State will be broadcast nationally on The CW Network. Streaming options include an ESPN Unlimited subscription at $29.99 a month or Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers. The CW Network only appears on Fubo in select markets.

Weather forecasts in Tallahassee call for 76 degrees, 25% rain chance at kickoff, while oddsmakers list Florida State as a 30.5-point favorite. FSU coaches are Mike Norvell (seventh season at FSU, 38-34; 76-49 overall) and New Mexico State is coached by Tony Sanchez (third season at New Mexico State, 7-17; 27-57 overall).