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Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy humpday Seminole!

We’re halfway through the week and we also get this weekend off so to speak since we play on Labor Day.

Here’s the docket for you:

• ⚽ Seminoles Face First Ranked Test of the Season Against Georgia The top-ranked Seminoles gear up to face No. 16 Georgia, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak.

• 🏈 Top FSU Recruiting Highlights: Standout Performances from the Gridiron

  Standout performances from FSU's top football recruits.

• 🗣 Norvell's Message to FSU: A Call to Resilience After Season-Opening Loss

  After a tough loss to Georgia Tech, Coach Norvell challenges the Seminoles to bounce back.

• 🏆 2024 Conference Championship Stakes: FSU’s Battle for the ACC Crown 

  Week 1 predictions and top matchups as the college football season kicks off.

⚽ Seminoles Face First Ranked Test of the Season Against Georgia ⚽

The top-ranked Florida State soccer team (3-0-0) is set to host No. 16 Georgia (1-1-1) on Thursday evening.

The Seminoles, riding a program-record 26-game unbeaten streak, have not conceded a goal in five straight regular-season non-conference games. As reigning national champions, FSU has started the season with an impressive 18 goals in three matches.

With their strong defense and offensive firepower, the Seminoles aim to extend their dominance and continue breaking records against Georgia.

Read more here

🏈 Top FSU Recruiting Highlights: Standout Performances from the Gridiron 🏈

Florida State's recruiting efforts continue to impress as several top targets and commits showcased their skills on the field this past weekend.

Brady Smigiel (2026, QB, FSU Commit): In his season opener, Smigiel threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns, also adding 71 rushing yards and two more scores. Despite some early season rust, Smigiel was pleased with his performance, especially given the challenges his offensive line faced.

Tramell Jones (2025, QB, FSU Commit): Jones had another stellar night, completing 15 of 17 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Even with two touchdowns called back due to penalties, Jones led his team to a dominant 57-12 victory.

Byron Louis (2025, RB, FSU Target): Louis rushed for 171 yards and scored a 68-yard touchdown, displaying his elite speed and vision in a televised matchup against Milton (Ga.). Despite the loss, Louis’ performance keeps him in the spotlight as he nears his college decision.

Cam Brooks (2026, DE, FSU Target): Brooks was a force in his season debut, recording eight tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack. His quickness and power were on full display, helping his team secure a 44-14 victory.

Ousmane Kromah (2025, RB, FSU Target): Kromah continued his dominant run with 94 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries. One of his highlights included an impressive leap over a defender, further solidifying his status as a top running back target for FSU.

Other Notable Performances:

• Max Redmon (2025, S, FSU Commit): Redmon showcased his physicality with a powerful suplex tackle in his latest game.

• Malik Clark (2025, WR, FSU Target): Clark demonstrated his elite speed with a touchdown catch that saw him blaze past defenders.

These performances underscore the talent FSU is attracting and the potential impact these players could have in Tallahassee.

Read more here and here

🗣 Norvell's Message to FSU: A Call to Resilience After Season-Opening Loss 🗣

Following Florida State’s tough 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech, Head Coach Mike Norvell delivered a powerful message to his team, emphasizing accountability and resilience.

Acknowledging the shortcomings in preparation, Norvell took full responsibility for the defeat and urged his players to use this setback as motivation to improve.

He stressed the importance of fundamentals, communication, and maintaining the team’s identity despite the loss. As FSU prepares for Boston College, the focus is on responding with determination and unity.

Read more here

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🏆 2024 Conference Championship Stakes: FSU’s Battle for the ACC Crown 🏆

The expanded College Football Playoff in 2024 means that conference championships are more critical than ever.

Florida State, despite their early season stumble against Georgia Tech, is still in the race for the ACC title, but the road just got tougher.

Currently, Clemson is the favorite with +300 odds, followed by Miami at +350, and FSU at +600. FSU must now win out in the ACC and secure the conference title to clinch an automatic playoff berth.

The stakes are high, and every game counts as the Seminoles aim to rebound and prove their mettle in a highly competitive ACC.

Read more here

🏈 NFL Cuts and FSU Alumni Update 🏈

The NFL's final roster cuts saw several former Seminoles waived, including veteran OL Cameron Erving by the Texans and rookie DT Fabien Lovett by the Chiefs.

Other FSU alumni like safety Akeem Dent and LB Keir Thomas were also released but could return via practice squads. Keir Thomas, for example, is expected to possibly rejoin the Rams' practice squad, where he has been shuffled between the active roster and practice squad in the past.

The Miami Dolphins waived DT Robert Cooper, who had signed with the team during the preseason, and the Buccaneers released undrafted rookie LB Kalen DeLoach. DeLoach, who impressed during the preseason, was sidelined by a groin injury, potentially affecting his chances of making the final roster.

Meanwhile, QB Jordan Travis, placed on the reserve/non-football injury list by the New York Jets, continues his rehab from a leg injury sustained last season at FSU. Head Coach Robert Saleh noted that Travis’s recovery is taking longer than anticipated, but he remains actively involved with the team.

Despite these cuts, numerous former Seminoles remain on NFL rosters, including stars like Jalen Ramsey (Dolphins), Derwin James (Chargers), and Brian Burns (Giants). As the NFL season kicks off, FSU's impact on the league continues with a strong presence across multiple teams.

For a full list of former Seminoles on NFL rosters and additional details on practice squad potential, check out the latest update here.

🏈 Week 1 College Football Predictions: Top Matchups and Betting Insights 🏈

The college football season kicks off with a thrilling slate of games, including three matchups featuring ranked teams. With one upset already in the books—Florida State's surprising loss to Georgia Tech—there's added pressure on top contenders to avoid a similar fate in their season openers.

North Dakota State at Colorado (-9.5):
Both Hummer and Crawford predict a Colorado victory, with Shedeur Sanders expected to lead the Buffaloes to a strong start. Hummer sees a 34-21 win, while Crawford anticipates a 41-24 result, highlighting Colorado's potent offense.

North Carolina at Minnesota (+1.5):
Both experts favor Minnesota to cover, citing the Gophers' continuity and an upgraded passing attack led by transfer QB Max Brosmer. Hummer predicts a 24-21 win, and Crawford sees a 27-23 outcome.

Boston College (+17.5) at Florida State:
Hummer expects Boston College to cover, emphasizing the threat posed by dual-threat QB Thomas Castellanos. He predicts a 38-21 FSU win. Crawford, however, believes FSU will bounce back with a decisive 35-14 victory.

Fresno State (+21.5) at Michigan:
Hummer thinks Fresno State will cover, predicting a 34-13 Michigan win, while Crawford expects the Wolverines to dominate 31-7.

Penn State (-8.5) at West Virginia:
Hummer anticipates a close game, favoring West Virginia to cover in a 31-24 Penn State win. Crawford agrees with a Penn State victory, predicting a 30-20 score.

WKU (+30.5) at Alabama:
Hummer picks WKU to cover, predicting a 45-13 Alabama win. Crawford expects a more dominant 52-10 Alabama victory, emphasizing the Tide's talent.

Miami (-2.5) at Florida:
Hummer sees a close game, with Florida covering in a 28-27 Miami win. Crawford favors Miami, predicting a 27-24 victory.

Notre Dame (+2.5) at Texas A&M:
Both Hummer and Crawford favor Texas A&M, predicting a 27-24 and 27-20 win, respectively, citing the Aggies' defensive prowess.

Clemson (+13.5) vs. Georgia:
Hummer expects Clemson to cover in a 27-20 Georgia win, while Crawford predicts a 31-10 Georgia victory, pointing to Clemson's challenges playing from behind.

LSU (-4.5) vs. USC:
Both experts pick LSU to win a shootout, with Hummer predicting a 38-31 score and Crawford a 34-27 result, highlighting the Tigers' strong offensive line.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

. Whether it's FSU's soccer dominance, recruiting victories, or the thrilling football matchups ahead, the Seminole spirit is alive and well.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let's rally behind our teams as they strive for greatness.

Go 'Noles!