Norvell should push UCF-FSU

Bianchi: 3 reasons why a series with Knights could benefit Seminoles.

We had new FSU coach Mike Norvell on our Open Mike radio show a few days ago and he was as passionate and charismatic as he was during his introductory news conference in which he absolutely knocked it out of the park.

But, like any great offensive coach, Norvell was able to deftly run an end-around when I presented him with the opportunity of continuing the high-scoring, heart-palpitating rivalry with UCF that began when he was the head coach at Memphis.

His response when I asked him if he might help push for a UCFFSU series: “I have a lot of respect for that [UCF] program and the job they’ve done, but we’re definitely excited about our schedule and the opportunities we have in front of us.” Translation: No.

And, believe me, I get it. Norvell has much more important things on his mind — recruiting, hiring a coaching staff, getting a beleaguered fan base fired up — than answering a question from an Orlando sports columnist and radio host about scheduling UCF.

But, moving forward, I have three reasons why I believe a series with UCF could benefit FSU:

Money, money and money. It’s no secret that FSU is in a financial pickle because of sagging season-ticket sales and plummeting attendance. Imagine the millions of extra cash that would be infused into FSU’s coffers if the Seminoles had 15-20,000 UCF fans buying tickets, paying for parking and concessions and piling into Doak Campbell Stadium every other season. A UCF series would certainly be much more lucrative for FSU than a typical ACC home game in which Boston College or N.C. State brings a few hundred fans.

Just sayin’ …

Hey, let’s go Christmas caroling with FSU football fans (sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells” and submitted by my Seminole buddy Notepad Rick): “Things looked really low,

A bad coach was sent away, Far out west we go,

El Paso’s where we play?!?!?!?! Our fortunes took a turn, For just when things looked dark,

This time they did a REAL coach search

And knocked it outta the park! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Norvell’s here to stay!

Oh what fun it is to see,

QBs commit to play — hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Norvell’s such a thrill! Soon the ‘Noles will bag 10 wins, And pay off Willie’s $18 mill!!!”

… Is it just coincidence that President Trump was impeached in Washington and Dictator Coughlin was overthrown in Jacksonville on the same day earlier this week, with both being