Florida State football 'opting into' chance to beat Oklahoma, win 10th game in Cheez-It Bowl

ORLANDO – Mike Norvell received a pleasant surprise late last month.

The Florida State football coach assumed that some of his players would be asked about their bowl-game status, so following a Nov. 30 practice, he addressed the team and insisted that they were in no rush to announce a decision.

Defensive end Jared Verse and safety Jammie Robinson – the Seminoles’ two highest-projected picks in the 2023 NFL Draft – promptly told the media in their post-practice interviews that they planned to play in the bowl game.

Without hesitation.

“I did not even talk to them about anything when it comes to opt-out or decisions or any of that,” said Norvell, who learned about their spontaneous announcements when the news appeared on his phone.

Cheez-It Bowl:Florida State football plays Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl. Where it is played and what else to know

FSU football NFL Draft decisions:Standouts Jared Verse, Jammie Robinson explain their NFL Draft decision process

Opponent preview:Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel back in Orlando, key for Sooners

FSU football transcripts:Transcripts from media day for Mike Norvell, coaches and players Cheez-It Bowl

None of FSU’s other top players needed much convincing either.

The Seminoles experienced roster attrition that is typical during this part of the college football calendar, losing nearly a dozen reserve players to the transfer portal since the 45-day window opened on Dec. 1.

But No. 13 FSU (9-3) expects to be close to full strength for its Cheez-It Bowl clash with Oklahoma (6-6) at Camping World Stadium in Orlando at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (TV: ESPN).

“I think we owe it to this university. Florida State gives us everything,” said quarterback Jordan Travis about the Seminoles embracing the bowl game. “And knowing how far we came as a football team, the offseason, how hard we worked together – nobody wants to leave anybody behind.

“What coach Norvell does for us, too. That's a coach that loves us really hard. He coaches us really hard. It means a lot to us. So yeah, I think it was an easy decision for a lot of guys to at least be here to support.”

In recent seasons, rosters across the country have been decimated from losing several key players before bowl games.

Some of those players took advantage of the one-time transfer rule, which started in April 2021. Other players, particularly those who were not competing in the College Football Playoff and had NFL aspirations, opted out to avoid injury/financial risk.

This bowl season marked the first time FSU has been tested in that new, ever-changing climate. The Seminoles are clearly taking their first bowl appearance since 2019 seriously, even if they fell short of an Orange Bowl bid.

“That is the one that I feel like we should have played in,” said Robinson on the Orange Bowl, which will feature No. 6 Clemson and No. 10 Tennessee. “But you know how the politics – that is the game.

“But we are still here, the Cheez-It Bowl. We are going to go crazy. We are going to put on a show. Another opportunity.”

With a win over the Sooners, FSU would reach a notable milestone. It would give the Seminoles their 25th 10-win season in program history. They have not reached 10 victories in a season since 2016.

It’s a possibility that FSU is not taking lightly.

“I’m not the type of guy who is going to leave the program just because you have a chance to go to the NFL,” Robinson said. “People are going to say, ‘Don’t get injured.’ There are a lot of pros and cons to it.

“But I look at the pros, just to get 10 wins. It’s another opportunity to play the game and showcase me.”

FSU football recruiting:How Luke Kromenhoek went from under-the-radar recruit to Florida State's QB of the future

Oklahoma without a few key players

While the Seminoles were immune from any notable opt-outs, the Sooners suffered a few significant casualties.

Oklahoma will be without four starters: running back Eric Gray, offensive tackles Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris, and defensive tackle Jalen Redmond.

“I think opt-outs are going to happen, and it is what it is nowadays,” Sooner quarterback Dillon Gabriel said. “That is an individual decision, which everyone understands.”

Gray entered the bowl season at No. 14 nationally in rushing with 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns on 213 carries, earning himself second-team All-Big 12 honors. Redmond ranked second on the team with 10 tackles for a loss, adding 23 tackles, four sacks and seven quarterback hurries.

Without Harrison and Morris, Oklahoma projects to start freshman Jacob Sexton (left tackle) and redshirt sophomore Tyler Guyton (right tackle).

“It is something I looked into a little bit,” said Verse about the new offensive tackles. “But they play at Oklahoma for a reason. They are good players for a reason. They are somebody that they trust to put in the game for a reason. So I still have to give them their respect.”

More FSU football recruiting:Analyzing the Seminoles' early signing period, 2023 recruiting class

‘Most talented on his feet that we have seen’

Oklahoma star defensive end Ethan Downs had some high praise for Travis.

“He is probably the most talented on his feet that we have seen, being able to run sideline-to-sideline and get the ball to where he needs to be,” said Downs, who garnered second-team All-Big 12 recognition after ranking second in the conference with 13.5 tackles for a loss.

“He has a great ball, as well. He can throw short. He can throw deep. He has great run reads. He is super talented, one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and it is a great challenge for us and the D-Line to test our skills even more to get better.

“It is an opportunity to get better and to see what we are made of, even this late in the season.”

GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 13 Florida State vs. Oklahoma

When/Where: Thursday 5:30 p.m.; Camping World Stadium in Orlando

TV: ESPN

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @CarterKarels on Twitter; @Ehsan_Kassim on Twitter

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why FSU football had zero major opt-outs for Cheez-It Bowl game vs. Oklahoma