🏹 November 25th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Welcome to this game day edition of The Chief Brief, packed with Seminole sporting action! Here's what we've got lined up:

⚽ Seminole Soccer's College Cup Quest: Dive into the FSU Women's Soccer team's journey to the College Cup after a stellar win over Pitt.

🏀 Basketball Battle: Unpack the intense Ball Dawgs Classic finale where FSU Women's Basketball showed grit against Stanford.

🏈 FSU Football's Perfect Season Pursuit: Get ready for the Seminoles' final stand against the Gators, aiming to seal an undefeated regular season.

🏟️ FSU vs. UF: Expert Predictions: Check out the experts' score predictions for the much-anticipated FSU-UF showdown.

Seminole Soccer Triumphs: Onward to the College Cup!

In a display of dominance and skill, the Florida State Seminoles have clinched their spot in the College Cup for the fourth straight year and the 14th time in history, following a resounding 3-0 victory over Pitt in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

Friday night's match, played before an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd at the Seminole Soccer Complex, marked FSU's perfect 14-0 record against the Panthers, including three wins this season.

The game started with FSU's offensive fireworks, launching four shots in the opening three minutes, yet the first half ended in a deadlock, despite FSU's 9-5 shot lead.

The second half mirrored the first's intensity, with limited chances until the Seminoles' breakthrough in the 63rd minute.

Jordynn Dudley's shot led to a handball call against Pitt, setting up Taylor Huff for a successful penalty kick, nudging FSU ahead.

The lead was soon doubled by Leah Pais, a graduate transfer from Pitt, who coolly netted her second season goal following another foul in the box.

The scoring frenzy continued as Dudley, breaking free for a one-on-one, was initially denied by Pitt's goalkeeper, Ellie Breach.

However, Onyi Echegini seized the rebound, outmaneuvering two defenders to solidify FSU's lead with her season's 15th goal - a feat unmatched by a Seminole since Deyna Castellanos in 2017.

Impressively, FSU's trio of goals came within just over six minutes.

The Panthers, stymied by FSU's formidable defense, managed only a single shot on goal in the game's final stretch. This stellar defensive effort marked FSU's seventh shutout in eight games, continuing their scoreless streak in the NCAA Tournament - a record shared only with Duke and South Carolina since 2017.

Now, the Seminoles set their sights on the College Cup in Cary, N.C., awaiting the outcome of the Clemson vs. Penn State match to determine their next opponent.

The decisive game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, on ESPNU, with the exact time to be announced later. Stay tuned as the Seminoles march forward in their quest for glory!

Seminoles Show Grit in Ball Dawgs Classic Finale Against Stanford

In an intense championship game of the Ball Dawgs Classic, the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles showcased their tenacity but ultimately fell to No. 4 Stanford, with a final score of 100-88 on Friday night.

Despite the loss, the Seminoles demonstrated their characteristic high-energy play, initially surging to a seven-point lead.

However, Stanford (6-0) made crucial defensive adjustments to counter FSU's dynamic pace, overturning the deficit and outscoring the Seminoles 72-54 in the last three quarters.

This game marked the Cardinal's highest-scoring performance this season.

Kiki Iriafen of Stanford, who amassed a total of 44 points and 26 rebounds across two games, was deservedly named the tournament MVP.

She contributed a massive 30 points and 17 rebounds in the final game alone. Cameron Brink, with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six blocks, played a pivotal role for Stanford, even as she fouled out.

Hannah Jump and Elena Bosgana added significant contributions with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Florida State, now standing at 5-1, saw a stellar performance from Ta'Niya Latson, who led the team with 23 points. O'Mariah Gordon added 19 points, with Sara Bejedi, Alexis Tucker, and Makayla Timpson contributing 13, 12, and 10 points, respectively.

The game's turning point came in the third quarter when Stanford initiated a 12-2 run, punctuated by Jump's two 3-pointers.

Iriafen's 12 points in this quarter, coupled with Brink's five rebounds and three blocks, significantly bolstered Stanford's position.

FSU had a strong start, hitting 53.6% from the floor in the first quarter, led by Latson's 10 points, to gain a 34-28 lead.

However, Stanford's perimeter defense adjustment in the second quarter shifted the momentum, leading to a 52-48 advantage at halftime.

A notable trend for FSU this season has been their balanced scoring, with at least four players reaching double figures in all six games.

While the outcome wasn't in favor of the Seminoles, their performance in the Ball Dawgs Classic finale against a top-tier team like Stanford demonstrated the depth and potential of FSU's women's basketball program.

FSU’s Quest for Perfection: The Final Stand Against the Gators

As we gear up for the ultimate showdown in Gainesville, our unbeaten Noles are set to battle the Gators this Saturday. With an incredible 11-0 record, we're on the brink of a perfect regular season and a shot at the College Football Playoff.

Key Matchups to Watch:

1. Our Ironclad Pass Defense vs. Gators' Backup QB: We're leading the nation in pass defense, and it's time to show Max Brown what Seminole resilience looks like.

2. Gator Ground Game vs. Our Stout Rush Defense: Our defense, allowing just 139.6 yards per game, is ready to take on Etienne and Johnson.

3. The Tate Rodemaker Era: Stepping up in Jordan Travis’ shoes, Tate’s got a chance to shine against Florida's shaky pass defense.

4. Running Down the Gators: Our diverse backfield, led by Benson's dynamism, looks to exploit UF's vulnerable rush defense.

5. Special Teams Showdown: With reliable kickers on both sides, every field goal and punt could be a game-changer.

We’re all in for an epic clash. Our boys have shown they can adapt and overcome. It's time to finish strong and bring that unbeaten streak home. Go 'Noles!

Expert Score Predictions for FSU vs. UF Showdown

As the Florida State Seminoles prepare to face the Florida Gators, here's a roundup of score predictions from various sports analysts and experts:

• Bill Bender, Sporting News: Predicts FSU to win with a close score of FSU 23-20.

• Pat Dooley, Gators Wire: Foresees a stronger FSU win, predicting FSU 31-19.

• Jesse Richardson, Gators Wire: Goes against the grain, predicting a Gator victory, UF 26-22.

• Chris Hummer, 247 Sports: Expects FSU to triumph, with a prediction of FSU 27-20. He notes FSU’s advantage in turnover margin and the Gators’ struggles with run defense.

• Pete Fiutak, College Football Network: Believes FSU will rally to win, but doesn’t provide a specific score.

• Brad Crawford, 247 Sports: Leans towards FSU in a tightly contested game, predicting FSU 26-20.

• Jovan Alford, BetSided: Suggests FSU will cover the spread, indicating confidence in FSU’s defense, but does not provide a specific score.

• College Football Power Index, SI.com: Projects a comfortable FSU win with a margin of FSU wins by 14.4 points, favoring the Seminoles in 81.4% of simulations.

From ChopChat:

• Taylor Devers: FSU 27, UF 23

• Kelvin Hunt: FSU 31, UF 17

• Jason Zang: FSU 31, UF 21

• Nick Andre: FSU 38, UF 14

247 Analysts' Predictions:

• Coach Adam Brown: FSU 30, UF 24

• Trey Rowland: FSU 37, UF 24

• Kevin Little: FSU 28, UF 21

• Chris Nee: FSU 31, UF 23

• Brendan Sonnone: FSU 27, UF 21

• Dane Draper: FSU 27, UF 20

• Brett Nevitt: FSU 24, UF 20

• Zach Blostein: FSU 31, UF 29

Here are the Warchant staff predictions:

• Gene Williams: FSU 27-24

• Corey Clark: FSU 30-20

• Ira Schoffel: FSU 38-17

• Jeff Cameron: FSU 31-20

• Tom Lang: FSU 31-17

• Aslan Hajivandi: FSU 28-24

• Matt LaSerre: FSU 30-15

These predictions, while varying in the exact score line, largely favor FSU, reflecting confidence in their overall performance this season.

However, the mix of predictions also highlights the unpredictable nature of rivalry games, especially with the current quarterback situation for both teams.

And that’s a wrap!

Relive one of the most unforgettable moments in FSU history with this YouTube highlight reel of the legendary "Choke at Doak."

Witness the incredible 4th quarter comeback where the Seminoles, against all odds, overturned a 31-3 deficit against the Gators.

It's a powerful reminder of FSU's unbeatable spirit at Doak Campbell Stadium during the 1992-2001 era. This video isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's fuel for today's game.

Get inspired, feel the rush of Seminole pride, and let's carry that unyielding spirit into today's battle against UF! 🔥🏈💯