CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah believes that FSU’s fall was predictable considering the Seminoles “rage quit” ahead of the 2023 Orange Bowl against Georgia – claiming it speaks volumes how much different Kirby Smart handled his program’s New Year’s Six bowl bid and how Mike Norvell responded to Florida State being left out of the College Football Playoff field despite a 13-0 record and ACC Championship win.

Jeyarajah made the comment as FSU trailed Memphis in a Week 3 matchup following an 0-2 start with losses to Boston College and Georgia Tech.

“I want to be clear: Players opting out of bowl games is totally fine and not a big deal,” Jeyarajah prefaced before saying, “At the same time, I do think the fact that the two-time reigning champs held their roster to go out strong while the other team rage quit probably says at least a little about both programs.”

Georgia’s only loss in 2023 was to Alabama, which was objectively a better loss than Texas losing to Oklahoma. But Texas beat Alabama during the season and won the Big 12 Championship while the Dawgs lost at the worst time: in the SEC Championship Game right before the CFP committee members made their decision. You can make a case the Bulldogs were robbed in many ways too.

But Smart didn’t pout as Norvell did. He had his team prepared and they delivered a 63-3 beatdown of their overmatched foes.

Mike Norvell’s FSU program may never recover from CFP snub, Orange Bowl blowout to Georgia

Norvell’s Seminoles are practically already out of the College Football Playoff hunt in 2024. To go from class of the conference and one of the country’s best teams to irrelevant and embarrassing is unfathomable. But that’s FSU’s reality right now.

It’s possible that Norvell never rights this ship and gets replaced between now and the offseason. Lane Kiffin would reportedly consider Florida, so maybe FSU could be of interest too. Deion Sanders has been floated, though his and FSU’s relationship isn’t what a star alumni and his former school’s should be.

Norvell's seat is scorching. He may not be in it for long.