Clock is ticking: When will Mike Norvell, FSU football again contend for titles?

Tallahassee Democrat

Georgia and Alabama are early co-favorites to win the 2022 national championship, according to odds released by Caesars' Sportsbook.

The Bulldogs, of course, enter next season as the defending national champs following Monday night's 33-18 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Indianapolis.

It was Georgia's first national title since 1980.

More importantly, of course, where does Florida State fit in the national landscape?

The Seminoles have 150-1 odds to win the 2022 national title, ranked behind fellow ACC members Clemson (12-1), Pitt (75-1) and Miami (100-1), under recently hired Mario Cristobal.

FSU COVERAGE

FanDuel Sports book even has lesser faith in FSU and third-year coach Mike Norvell.

It ranks the Seminoles (+25000) behind Clemson (+1000), Miami (+6000), North Carolina (+8000), and Wake Forest (+20000), and lumps them together with Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina State and Virginia.

The Seminoles captured the program's third national title in 2013 - not that long ago on paper, but light-years away in feel.

They also last appeared in the ACC Championship in 2014, beating Georgia Tech, 37-35.

FSU's recent struggles have been documented, dissected and debated.

The Seminoles have suffered four consecutive losing seasons, though coach Norvell's rebuild (8-13 the past two seasons) appears to be trending in the right direction.

In this day and age in college football, however, patience is no longer a luxury. Still, FSU's brass believes Norvell can return FSU football to its winning, title ways.

Norvell is improving the Seminoles' recruiting and wisely taking advantage of the transfer portal.

“I think we have the right guy and I think he will get it done. There’s not any doubt in my mind,” former FSU Director of Athletics David Coburn, who hired Norvell, told the Democrat and Osceola in a recent interview.

“He’ll get it done on the recruiting side. He’ll get it done on the coaching side. He needs the resources to be competitive and we’ve given them to him. I think he can make it work. I firmly believe that.”

Coburn, who retired Dec. 31 and was replaced by Michael Alford, had regular contact with Norvell. Coburn also made a point to attend FSU football practices.

“All the things you saw when you hired him collectively, the attention to detail, the intelligence, skill at managing the student-athletes and coaches, the ability to hire, to evaluate talent, they are all there,” Coburn said of Norvell.

Odds to win 2022 College Football Playoff

Georgia Bulldogs 13/4

Alabama Crimson Tide 13/4

Ohio State Buckeyes 7-1

Clemson Tigers 12-1

Oklahoma Sooners 25-1

Texas A&M Aggies 25-1

USC Trojans 25-1

Michigan Wolverines 30-1

Notre Dame 40-1

Oregon Ducks 40-1

Wisconsin Badgers 40-1

Florida Gators 40-1

Texas Longhorns 50-1

Utah Utes 50-1

Oklahoma State Cowboys 50-1

Cincinnati Bearcats 60-1

Baylor Bears 60-1

LSU Tigers 75-1

Pitt 75-1

Iowa Hawkeyes 75-1

Auburn Tigers 75-1

Michigan State 75-1

Penn State 5-1

UCLA Bruins 100-1

Miami Hurricanes 100-1

Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky 125-1

Nebraska, Florida State, Iowa State, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina 150-1

Kansas State, Purdue, Arizona State, Washington, TCU, BYU, Mississippi State 200-1

Indiana, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, NC State, Wake Forest 250-1

Northwestern, Houston, Washington State, West Virginia, Maryland 300-1

Oregon State, San Diego State, California, Stanford, UCF, Fresno State, Louisville, Boise State, Texas Tech, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Boston College 500-1

Syracuse, SMU, Memphis 750-1

Navy, Appalachian State, Air Force, Tulsa, Marshall, UTSA, UAB, Duke, Georgia Tech, Coastal Carolina, Utah State, Liberty, San Jose State, Army, Western Kentucky 1000-1

Arizona, Nevada, Colorado State, East Carolina, Louisiana, Wyoming 1500-1

Georgia State, Central Michigan, Hawaii, Ball State, Louisiana Tech, FAU, Buffalo, Kent State, Miami (OH), Toledo, North Texas, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois 2000-1

UTEP, Rice, Ohio, Temple, Kansas, Tulane, Charlotte, New Mexico, Old Dominion, UNLV, South Florida 2500-1

Bowling Green, New Mexico State, ULM, FIU, Vanderbilt, MTSU, South Alabama, Texas State, Arkansas State, Akron, Georgia Southern, Southern Miss, Troy 5000-1

UConn, UMass10000-1

-- Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

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