It hasn't even been five years since Mike Norvell left Memphis football for Florida State.

The day after the Tigers beat Cincinnati to win their first American Athletic Conference title, he officially accepted the new job in Tallahassee. Norvell had taken over for Justin Fuente in 2016 and four seasons later, left Memphis at the program's peak, with the Tigers headed to the Cotton Bowl a few weeks later.

On Saturday (11 a.m. CT, ESPN), Norvell will face his former team for the first time. Memphis (2-0) heads to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles (0-2) in a marquee nonconference game for the Tigers. To help get you primed for the game, here's a list of everything (well, at least related to Memphis and Florida State) that has happened since Norvell moved southeast in December 2019.

Ryan Silverfield becomes Memphis head coach

Offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield initially was named interim coach after Norvell's departure. He continued to recruit while also preparing the Tigers for the Cotton Bowl game against Penn State. Then-athletic director Laird Veatch interviewed other candidates, but Silverfield ultimately got the full-time job before the game.

Memphis faces Penn State in the Cotton Bowl

With Norvell gone and Silverfield in place, Memphis faced Penn State in a wild Cotton Bowl. The Nittany Lions won 53-39, capping off the best season in Memphis history.

“I don’t want anybody getting on our plane with their eyes down, not being proud of what they are," Silverfield said after the game.

Memphis keeps winning . . . and Florida State struggles

It didn't work out right away for Norvell at Florida State. The Seminoles went 3-6 in 2020 and 5-7 the following season. That led to questions about his ability to succeed at a job of that caliber, but those questions would be answered soon enough.

Silverfield helped Memphis continue its bowl streak, going 8-3 in 2020 and 6-6 (with a forfeit win over Hawaii making it 7-6) in 2021.

Norvell turns it around at Florida State

Things started to change in Tallahassee in 2022. Florida State started 4-0, then lost three straight and looked like it might be headed for another disappointing season. But the Seminoles reeled off six wins in a row — including a Cheez-It Bowl win over Oklahoma — to finish 10-3 and grab momentum heading into 2023.

And they kept it going. Led by dynamic quarterback Jordan Travis, Florida State went 13-0. But because of Travis' injury and the Seminoles' schedule, they were controversially left out of the College Football Playoff.

Memphis sets itself up for 2024 playoff run

After consecutive 6-6 regular seasons, the Tigers went 10-3 in 2023. That season was capped off with a win over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and Memphis brought back most of its key contributors from that team.

The expanded College Football Playoff includes a guaranteed spot for a Group of Five team, and Memphis is set up for that opportunity, though it has not been the highest-ranked Group of Five team or won an AAC championship since 2019.

Had the expanded playoff been in effect in 2019, Memphis would have played at Georgia in the first round.

In 2024, Memphis and Florida State meet for first time since 1990

The deal for this game was signed in 2021, but it comes at a critical time for both teams. Florida State was ranked No. 10 to start the season but started with two straight losses, while the Tigers are looking for a signature nonconference win after entering the US LBM Coaches Poll rankings this week at No. 25.

Whatever happens on Saturday, it'll be the first time Norvell and Silverfield have been on the same field since the Tigers' win over Cincinnati for the AAC title in 2019.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Timeline since Mike Norvell left Memphis football for Florida State