Florida State will at least have a semblance of hope if it is able to travel to Notre Dame this week.

Trailing 14-0 against Football Championship Subdivision foe Jacksonville State and already 0-2 after getting outscored 68-23 in two ACC games, the Seminoles turned to junior quarterback Jordan Travis, a 2019 transfer from Louisville, and he directed five straight touchdown drives in the 41-24 victory.

Incumbent James Blackman had been ineffective, so freshman Tate Rodemaker started at quarterback this weekend before first-year head coach Mike Norvell (also back from his positive test for COVID-19) turned to Travis.

Few elements can galvanize or resuscitate a program more than a successful, effective quarterback transition. Now, there is far, far much more work to be done internally in Tallahassee to believe the Seminoles will be “back” this year, but they at least shouldn’t be completely demoralized flying up north as they would have been with a loss to the Gamecocks.