It's been a disastrous start to the 2024 season for the Florida State football team, and head coach Mike Norvell is under a lot of pressure. But did he say FSU has been "three powerhouse programs" as some social media posts have claimed?

It would be a bold claim for sure. FSU has started the season 0-3 with losses to Georgia Tech, Boston College and Memphis, the latter two on their home field at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles have been outscored 72-46 and rank 128th of 133 FBS teams in total offense with 274 yards per game, and some fans have even started calling for FSU to fire Norvell.

And those losses haven't exactly come against bluebloods of college football, even if the three are off to a combined 8-2 start to the season. So when posts started circulating after the Memphis loss claiming Norvell called the three "powerhouse programs," some thought it was serious.

Mike Norvell powerhouse quote: Is it true?

The quote that spread online isn't sourced to any reputable source covering FSU football. It reads: "If you faced three powerhouse programs to start your season your team would be 0-3 also."

The quote has popped up again throughout the days following FSU's latest loss, but there's no record of him actually saying it.

What did Mike Norvell say after the Memphis loss?

Norvell said plenty about his team's efforts after losing 20-12 to Memphis on Saturday. He credited the Tigers, whom he coached before coming to FSU after the 2019 season. But he focused on the Seminoles' shortcomings and what they had to do to get into the win column.

"I do believe that we are a much better team than what we are showing," Norvell said. "It still comes down to me being able to get that out of these guys and for that to show up on game day.

"I'm disappointed that I've not been able to get more out of what I believe this team is."

On Monday, Norvell ripped into his wide receivers, saying their blocking was "awful."

There was one moment from Norvell's postgame news conference that made waves for dark comedy purposes. While Norvell was talking about momentum, a fire alarm went off inside the building, serving as an on-the-nose symbol of FSU's hopes heading into the season.

Norvell and the Seminoles will try to get its first win against another team off to a great start this year. California (3-0) comes to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday in an ACC battle. Believe it or not, that is all correct.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Mike Norvell powerhouse quote: Florida State football fact check