🏹 December 11th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Welcome to this edition of The Chief Brief, where we bring you the latest and most captivating stories about the Florida State Seminoles. Here's what's on deck:

🔄 Big Ten Beckons? Rumors of ACC Departure for Big Ten: Amidst the fallout of the playoff snub and long-standing conference frictions, FSU is abuzz with rumors of a potential move to the Big Ten. We delve into the financial motivations, reactions from FSU leaders, and the implications of this significant shift in college football's landscape.

🏀 Seminoles' Valiant Effort Falls Short Against No. 2 UCLA: At the Hall of Fame Women's Showcase, the FSU women's basketball team faced a challenging defeat against UCLA. Despite early struggles, the Seminoles showed resilience. We break down the key plays and future outlook for the team.

🏈 Seminoles Welcome Future Stars: A group of promising high school athletes visited FSU this weekend, reaffirming their commitment to the Seminoles. We spotlight each recruit, exploring their potential impact on FSU's future.

🌟 FSU's Recruiting Weekend: High School Prospects and Transfer Portal Insights: Highlighting the weekend's recruitment efforts, FSU welcomed top high school prospects and notable transfer portal athletes. We examine the significance of these visits and the prospects of these emerging football stars joining the Seminoles.

Join us as we explore each of these stories, sharing insights into their implications for FSU and our dedicated fanbase.

Big Ten Beckons? Rumors of ACC Departure for Big Ten

The FSU community is abuzz with rumors of potentially leaving the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the Big Ten, especially in the wake of recent events that have left fans and officials questioning their place in the ACC.

The Root of Discontent

• Playoff Snub: FSU's undefeated ACC champion football team was left out of the College Football Playoff, sparking widespread disappointment and anger among the Seminole fanbase and leadership.

• Long-standing Friction: The relationship between FSU and the ACC has been tense, with disagreements over TV rights deals and the growing influence of conferences like the Big Ten and SEC. FSU has often felt sidelined in revenue-sharing plans and media contracts.

The Big Ten Rumors

• Rumored Meeting: A tweet from @MHver3 on December 6 suggested a significant meeting on January 31 at FSU to decide future conference affiliation, with the Big Ten as a likely candidate.

• Financial Incentives: The Big Ten's lucrative TV contract, reportedly around $8 billion over seven years with Fox, CBS, and NBC, dwarfs the ACC's deal with ESPN. FSU currently receives $42 million from the ACC's TV contract, significantly less than projected payouts from the Big Ten and SEC deals.

Impact of the Snub

• Reaction: FSU's athletic director, Michael Alford, and head football coach, Mike Norvell, expressed deep frustration over the playoff snub. Former FSU president John Thrasher suggested that the exclusion by the CFP committee, influenced by ESPN and the SEC, should prompt FSU to consider leaving the ACC.

• Political Support: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Rick Scott have also weighed in on the issue, with DeSantis even mentioning financial support for potential legal action against the snub.

The Big Picture

• Conference Realignment: The college football landscape is experiencing significant shifts, with key teams like Southern California, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon moving to the Big Ten, and Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC.

• FSU's History in the ACC: FSU joined the ACC in 1990 and quickly dominated the conference, especially in football, under coach Bobby Bowden. However, the perception of being a secondary-level conference, as expressed by Thrasher, and financial disparities have fueled the current speculation.

Conclusion

As rumors swirl, there is no official confirmation yet from FSU about leaving the ACC. The Board of Trustees' next meeting is scheduled for January 31-February 1, but there's no published agenda mentioning conference realignment. While the playoff snub has certainly intensified discussions, the Seminole community awaits concrete decisions regarding their conference affiliation.

Seminoles' Valiant Effort Falls Short Against No. 2 UCLA

In a highly anticipated match at the Hall of Fame Women's Showcase, the 20th-ranked Florida State women's basketball team encountered a challenging defeat against No. 2 UCLA, with a final score of 95-78.

The Seminoles faced a tough start, trailing early as UCLA took a commanding 20-5 lead.

This initial setback was partly due to Florida State's shooting struggles, managing just one successful shot out of their first 14 attempts. However, the end of the first quarter saw a glimmer of hope for the Seminoles as Carla Viegas contributed five crucial points, reducing the deficit to 26-17.

UCLA's sophomore center Lauren Betts was a significant force in the game, dominating with 22 points and 18 rebounds. Her 6-foot-7 frame proved too much for the Seminoles to handle, particularly in the first half where she scored 18 of her total points.

UCLA's offense was further bolstered by Charisma Osborne and Angela Dugalic, who added 16 points each, contributing to a balanced attack that had five Bruins scoring in double figures.

Despite the early challenges, Florida State showcased their fighting spirit, primarily through effective 3-point shooting. Ta'Niya Latson led the Seminoles with an impressive 26 points, while Sara Bejedi added 19 points, keeping the team in contention throughout the game.

This game also held historical significance as it was the first meeting between the two teams. The connection between the teams was highlighted by UCLA coach Cori Close, who served as Florida State's associate head coach before joining the Bruins. The Seminoles were seeking to tie their highest-ranked win in program history but fell short against the highly ranked UCLA.

Florida State's connection with the Mohegan Sun Arena, the venue for this showcase, is notable as this was their fourth visit in eight seasons. The venue holds special significance for FSU coach Brooke Wyckoff, who played for the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.

Looking ahead, Florida State aims to regroup and focus on their upcoming game against Drexel on December 17. For the Seminoles, this game stands as a learning experience, one that will undoubtedly contribute to their growth and development as the season progresses.

Seminoles Welcome Future Stars

Florida State University's commitment to bolstering its football program was evident this past weekend as they hosted five committed high school athletes for official visits. This group, a mix of talent across various positions, highlights the depth and potential FSU is building for the future.

• Linebacker Jayden Parrish: From Delray Beach, Florida, Parrish has shown a strong commitment to FSU since early April. His consistency and dedication to the team were evident during his visit, as he plans to sign and enroll early. Parrish's visit underscores his readiness to make an immediate impact on the Seminoles' defense.

• Linebacker Timir Hickman-Collins: Hickman-Collins, hailing from Fort Mill, South Carolina, has been committed since late July. Like Parrish, Hickman-Collins is set to sign and enroll early, indicating his eagerness to start his collegiate career at FSU. His visit was another step in solidifying his commitment to the team.

• Kicker Jake Weinberg: One of the nation's top kickers, Weinberg from Delray Beach, Florida, has been committed to FSU since early 2023. His visit this weekend reaffirmed his decision to join the Seminoles, with plans to sign early. Weinberg's addition to the team is expected to bolster FSU's special teams significantly.

• Offensive Lineman Jayden Todd: The Dublin, Georgia native and massive lineman, has been committed to FSU since August. His visit, accompanied by his family, was a positive experience, as expressed by Todd. He looks forward to bringing his strength and size to the Seminoles' offensive line and is expected to sign early.

• Defensive Tackle Jamorie Flagg: Miami's Flagg has been committed to FSU since December 2022. During his visit, he particularly appreciated learning more about the academic opportunities at FSU. The 6-foot-3, 296-pound lineman's early signing and enrollment will be a significant addition to the Seminoles' defensive front.

This weekend's visits not only solidified the commitments of these talented athletes but also provided them a closer look at the environment and culture they'll be joining at FSU. Each player's unique skills and enthusiasm highlight the diverse and promising future of Florida State football.

As these future Seminoles prepare to sign and enroll early, they bring hope and excitement to the team and its fans, looking forward to making their mark in the upcoming seasons.

FSU's Recruiting Weekend: High School Prospects and Transfer Portal Insights

Florida State University's recent recruitment weekend was a major stride in fortifying their football team's future, with significant visits from both high school talents and transfer portal athletes.

High School Prospects Showing Strong Interest

• Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith: As a top prospect and current Ohio State commit, Smith's visit to FSU was highly anticipated. While he remains with Ohio State, FSU's efforts reportedly left a strong impression, signaling continued optimism that he can be flipped.

• Defensive Tackle D'Nas White: White, a three-star prospect from North Carolina, expressed high regard for his visit, which he expects to be his last official one. His time with defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins was a highlight, indicating FSU's strong coaching appeal. His post visit interview is below.

• Defensive Lineman LJ McCray: The five-star UF commit from Daytona Beach visited FSU for a few hours. His continued interest and FSU's persistent recruitment efforts suggest a possible shift in his commitment.

Transfer Portal Athletes Eyeing FSU

• Defensive End Kyle Kennard: The Georgia Tech transfer and four-star prospect focused on development during his FSU visit. Kennard expressed appreciation for the coaching style and the flexibility given to edge players in FSU's defensive system. His experience with FSU's defensive end Jared Verse and the technical coaching of John Papuchis played a significant role in his positive visit. You can check out his full post visit interview below.

• Defensive End Samuel Okunlola: The four-star Pitt transfer kept a low profile but reportedly had a successful visit. The mutual feeling of a strong fit for the team culture between Okunlola and FSU was evident, and he is expected to decide in about a week.

These visits demonstrate the staff’s comprehensive approach to recruitment, combining the potential of young high school talents with the experience and skills of transfer portal athletes. FSU’s focus on development, strong coaching, and team culture continues to make it an attractive destination for emerging football stars.

That's a wrap on this action-packed edition of The Chief Brief! From the buzz of conference shifts to court clashes and future Seminole stars, it's been a whirlwind of Seminole spirit. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates and FSU scoops.

Remember, your thoughts fuel our Seminole fire, so keep those opinions coming. Let's continue this amazing journey together, one story at a time.

Keep rocking that garnet and gold, and as always, Go Noles! 🏈🍢🎉