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- 🏹 November 27th - The Chief Brief 🏹
🏹 November 27th - The Chief Brief 🏹
Postseason pushes, recruiting swings, NFL Noles, and the biggest rivalry matchup in a season full of chaos
The Chief
November 27, 2025
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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Thanksgiving, Seminole!
A loaded Thanksgiving Thursday edition with postseason pushes, wild comebacks, recruiting swings, NFL Noles, and massive off-field turbulence as FSU heads into its most pivotal weekend of the year.
⚽ FSU Soccer One Win from the College Cup ⚽
The Seminoles host Ohio State with a Final Four berth on the line — backed by elite postseason pedigree, red-hot form, and the nation’s most balanced attack.
🏐 Volleyball Drops SMU Match but Delivers a 10–0 Burst of Chaos 🏐
FSU fell 3–1, but not before detonating one of the wildest rallies of the season and setting up an emotional Senior Day finale.
🏈 NFL Week 13: Where the Noles Are Playing 🏈
A full holiday slate from Thanksgiving to Monday Night Football — and another week packed with rookies, veterans, and practice-squad grinders flying the Garnet & Gold.
🔥 FSU Trending for Edge Rusher Kamron Wilson 🔥
The Noles are pushing hard for a flip from Syracuse — and after multiple fall visits and a Rivals prediction shift, momentum is squarely on FSU’s side.
📊 Offense & Defense Enter the Finale With Top-25 Profiles 📊
The offense has cooled to a Top-25 unit, the defense has climbed into the same tier, and the numbers show a team better than its record but still searching for consistency.
🏈 FSU Defense Gears Up for Lagway, Baugh & a Model That Picks Florida 🏈
Tony White’s unit has quietly carried the team on the road — and they’ll need their best again against a turnover-prone offense, a dangerous RB, and national predictions favoring UF.
🧨 Inside FSU’s Turbulent Month: Overhauls, Uncertainty & a Must-Win in Gainesville 🧨
Three major reports outline structural changes coming, rising locker-room division, concerned staffers, and a team entering The Swamp desperate for stability — and a bowl berth.
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⚽ FSU Hosts Ohio State in NCAA Quarterfinal — College Cup Berth on the Line ⚽
The Seminoles are back where they belong: deep in November, at home, and one win away from another College Cup.
🔥 Elite Postseason Pedigree
26 straight NCAA Tournament appearances (every year since 2000)
19th Quarterfinal appearance; 7th in last 8 years
86–19–6 all-time in NCAAs — 2nd-best win percentage in D-I history (.802)
11–2–0 at home in Quarterfinals
FSU has won three straight Quarterfinal matchups and reached four consecutive College Cups entering this year.
📍 Match Info
FSU (13–2–4) vs Ohio State (11–4–6)
Friday, Nov. 28 — 5 p.m. ET
Seminole Soccer Complex
Broadcast: ESPN+
First 100 students free with valid ID
🎯 How They Got Here
FSU rolled through Samford (4–0), Lipscomb (1–0), and then stunned No. 2 seed Georgetown on the road, 3–1 — the Noles’ first true road NCAA win since 2008.
Key moments vs Georgetown:
Mimi Van Zanten scored and posted her first career 3-point match.
Nyanya Touray delivered the winner 94 seconds into the second half.
Jaida McGrew iced it with her first career goal.
Freshman Kate Ockene tied a career-high with 4 saves.
FSU is unbeaten in seven straight with a 15–4 scoring margin in its last six matches.
💪 Noles by the Numbers
51 goals, 54 assists, 350 shots
0.73 GAA, .720 save %
Top 10 nationally in goals per game, assists per game & goal differential
Individual standouts:
Jordynn Dudley — 31 points, 13 assists (No. 3 nationally), 9 goals
Wrianna Hudson — 12 goals, 33 shots on goal, Top-10 shot accuracy (.647)
Ockene — 0.79 GAA, .696 save %
🔍 Scouting Ohio State
The Buckeyes are the only unseeded team left and are scorching hot:
Three straight NCAA wins — all away vs seeded teams
Beat Georgia (2–0), No. 1 Notre Dame (1–0 2OT), and No. 5 Baylor (2–1)
8–2–2 on the road this season
This is just OSU’s third Quarterfinal appearance ever.
📚 Series Note
FSU is 0–1–0 all-time vs OSU — the lone meeting came in 2000.
In NCAA Tournament play, FSU is 6–5–1 vs current Big Ten programs.
🧠 Why It Matters
This is where FSU historically locks in: elite talent, elite pedigree, elite expectations. Another College Cup berth is right in front of them, and the road now goes through Tallahassee.
🏐 FSU Falls to No. 8 SMU Despite Epic Second-Set Rally 🏐
The Noles dropped a tough one in Dallas, falling 3–1 to the No. 8 Mustangs — but not before unleashing one of their wildest runs of the season.
🔥 The Highlight: A 10–0 Explosion
Trailing 23–15 in set two, FSU stormed back with a 10–0 run.
Iane Henke delivered three straight kills to ignite the rally.
Delaney Ewing and Henke combined for multiple crucial blocks.
Caylan Russ added a momentum-swinging ace.
Henke closed it with the tying kill — stealing the set, 25–23.
📉 How It Played Out
Set 1: Tight early, but SMU closed on a 6–1 run.
Set 3: FSU led twice but couldn’t hold off SMU’s late serving pressure.
Set 4: SMU controlled from start to finish to seal the match.
🌟 Stat Leaders
Henke — 18 kills, extending her streak to 22 straight double-digit matches.
Kyleene Filimaua — 15 kills.
Delaney Ewing — Career-high 11 blocks, first Nole with 10+ blocks in a match since 2023.
📍 Up Next
FSU finishes the regular season Friday vs Clemson on Senior Day, honoring:
Iane Henke
Nellie Stevenson
Mio Yamamoto
First serve: 2 p.m. on ACCNX
🧠 Why It Matters
The loss stings, but the fight — especially the 10–0 comeback — keeps FSU competitive heading into a must-win Senior Day finale.
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🏈 Week 13 NFL Guide: Where the Noles Are Playing 🏈
A loaded holiday weekend of NFL action — from Thanksgiving to Monday Night Football — and plenty of Noles scattered across the league.
🦃 Thanksgiving Games
Packers at Lions — 1 PM (FOX)
No Seminoles in this matchup.
Chiefs at Cowboys — 4:30 PM (CBS)
Chiefs: Derrick Nnadi, Kevin Knowles II, Janarius Robinson (IR)
Cowboys: None
Bengals at Ravens — 8:20 PM (NBC)
No Seminoles playing.
🛍️ Black Friday
Bears at Eagles — 3 PM (Prime Video)
Eagles: Johnny Wilson (IR)
Bears: None
📅 Sunday Early Slate — 1 PM
Rams at Panthers (FOX)
Rams: Braden Fiske, Jared Verse, Keir Thomas (IR)
Panthers: Ryan Fitzgerald
49ers at Browns (CBS)
49ers: Tatum Bethune, Renardo Green
Browns: None
Texans at Colts (CBS)
Texans: Mario Edwards Jr.
Colts: None
Saints at Dolphins (FOX)
No Seminoles involved.
Falcons at Jets (FOX)
Falcons: Jammie Robinson (PS)
Jets: Jermaine Johnson II, Azareye’h Thomas
Cardinals at Buccaneers (FOX)
Cardinals: Trey Benson (IR–designated to return), Jeremiah Byers (PS), Josh Sweat
Buccaneers: None
Jaguars at Titans (CBS)
Jags: Jarrian Jones
Titans: None
📅 Sunday Late Slate
Vikings at Seahawks — 4:05 PM (FOX)
Vikings: Cam Akers (PS)
Seahawks: None
Raiders at Chargers — 4:25 PM (CBS)
Chargers: DJ Uiagalelei (PS), Bobby Hart, Derwin James
Raiders: None
Bills at Steelers — 4:25 PM (CBS)
Bills: Keon Coleman
Steelers: Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr. (PS)
🌙 Sunday Night Football
Broncos at Commanders — 8:20 PM (NBC)
Commanders: Eddie Goldman, DeMarcus Walker (PS)
Broncos: None
🏆 Monday Night Football
Giants at Patriots — 8:15 PM (ESPN)
Giants: Jameis Winston, Brian Burns, Graham Gano (IR)
Patriots: Jashaun Corbin (PS/injured), Fabien Lovett Sr. (PS), Joshua Farmer
🔥 FSU Trending for Syracuse Edge Commit Kamron Wilson 🔥
Florida State is pushing hard for a flip — and the momentum is clearly swinging toward Tallahassee.
💨 Why FSU Is Rising Fast
Wilson visited multiple times this fall, including his official visit for the Virginia Tech win.
Called the experience “amazing,” praising the atmosphere and Norvell’s personal pitch.
Also attended the Miami game, a bucket-list rivalry he’d always wanted to see.
🧱 Elite Production
Junior year: 118 tackles, 32 TFLs, 17 sacks
Senior year (10 games): 52 tackles, 12 TFLs, 3 sacks, 10 hurries, 3 forced fumbles
Ranked No. 38 edge rusher nationally
🎯 Recruiting Status
FSU staff — Norvell, Knighton, White, and more are in weekly contact.
Rivals prediction now logged in favor of FSU.
Wilson will visit Syracuse this weekend, but the Noles continue to close the gap.
🧠 Why It Matters
FSU’s 2026 class (No. 14 nationally) is on the verge of adding another impact pass rusher — and Wilson’s trajectory fits the mold perfectly.
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📊 FSU Offense & Defense: Final Regular-Season Diagnostics 📊
With one game left, the numbers paint a clear picture: the offense has leveled off into the Top-25-ish tier, while the defense has climbed steadily into the same range — a near mirror image of where both units stood midseason.
🔥 Offense: Sliding but Still Solid
The back half of 2025 has been a slow regression from Top-10/15 efficiency to a more modest Top-25 profile.
Week 13 Snapshot
Yards per play: 6.74 (16th)
Points per game: 34.1 (24th)
Yards per rush: 5.24 (18th)
Yards per pass: 9.0 (12th)
Passer rating: 148.45 (36th)
3rd-down %: 51.0% (7th) — still elite
Drive scoring rate: 49.2% (19th)
Red zone TD rate: 65.4% (45th)
Sack rate allowed: 5.8% (74th)
TFLs allowed: 4.73 per game (37th)
Misc.
Penalties per game: 5.5 (38th)
Turnover margin: –0.36 (102nd)
🛡️ Defense: Quiet, Steady Improvement
The defense has risen from Top-35ish to a more stable Top-25 profile — especially against the run and in havoc plays.
Week 13 Snapshot
Yards per play: 4.88 (24th)
Points per game: 20.4 (30th)
Yards per rush allowed: 3.33 (20th)
Yards per pass allowed: 7.0 (61st)
Passer rating allowed: 132.5 (70th)
Sack rate: 8.8% (12th) — elite pressure
TFLs per game: 6.36 (29th)
3rd-down defense: 37.7% (59th)
Red zone TD rate: 63.3% (88th)
Drive scoring rate: 29.9% (36th)
Defensive success rate: 60.2% (45th)
🧠 Why It Matters
FSU enters Rivalry Week as a team with a Top-25 offense and a rising Top-25 defense but trending in opposite directions. The offense must rediscover its early-season rhythm, and the defense must sustain its surge for a bowl-clinching performance.
🏈 FSU Defense Prepares for Lagway, Baugh & a Model Picked Against Them 🏈
Tony White’s defense has quietly become FSU’s most dependable unit — and Saturday in Gainesville, they’ll need to be again. The Seminoles haven’t won a true road game since 2023, and the national models aren’t exactly optimistic.
🔥 Tony White’s Defense: Better Than the Record Shows
Despite the 0–8 road streak, White’s unit has allowed just 59 total points across FSU’s last three away losses — only two opponent TD drives all year have started in FSU territory.
Now they draw one of the worst offenses they’ve faced:
Florida scoring offense: 19.9 PPG (118th)
Total offense: 323.3 YPG (105th)
But White isn’t fooled.
“They’ve got skill everywhere … and it all starts with the quarterback. Which they got.”
🔍 The Challenge: QB DJ Lagway & RB Jaden Baugh
Lagway is talented but turnover-prone:
63% completions
2,096 yards, 13 TD, 13 INT (tied for 2nd-most INTs nationally)
124.9 passer rating (111th nationally)
Best game: early-season upset vs Texas
Last four games: only one outing over 166 passing yards
But he has real weapons:
RB Jadan Baugh
904 rushing yards (5.0 YPC), 6 TD
33 catches for 210 yards & 2 more TD
One of the best all-purpose backs FSU has seen this year
Norvell: “You’ve got to get him stopped before he gets started.”
WR Vernell Brown III
487 yards as a freshman
Lagway’s top target
⚠️ National Model Prediction: Florida Covers, Low-Scoring Game
One major analytics model projects:
Florida (-1.5) covers ~60% of simulations
Under 50.5 hits in well over 60%
Florida has two ATS wins in four games under interim Billy Gonzales
FSU is 0–8 straight up AND ATS in its last eight road games
Gators won last year’s matchup by 20 in Tallahassee
🧠 Why It Matters
White’s defense has been carrying FSU on the road but this matchup will test whether they can overcome the season’s biggest weakness: winning away from Doak. Stop Baugh early, confuse Lagway, and the streak ends. Fail to, and the model says Florida has the edge.
👉 Full insights available via the original reports on Warchant and CBS Sports
🏈 Inside FSU’s Turbulent Month: Front Office Overhaul, Locker Room Strain & A Must-Win in The Swamp 🏈
Three different reports paint a clear picture: FSU is bracing for major structural change, internal tensions are rising, and Saturday’s trip to Gainesville comes with the weight of a program stuck between what it is and what it should be.
🔥 1. FSU Begins Front Office Overhaul — But It’s Early & Uncertain
FSU has officially started vetting outside consultants and NFL-style personnel models as part of its “fundamental changes,” but:
The process is in early stages
December → January is the working timeline
Unlikely anyone is in place by Early Signing Day (Dec. 3)
Portal opens Jan. 2 — unclear if structure is ready by then
Internal preference from some:
Bring in an NFL-minded football evaluator.
Names not reported but logically connected:
Martin Mayhew (Commanders)
Brian Xanders (Jaguars)
Meanwhile, off-field staff are openly worried about job security — and with reason.
⚠️ Locker Room Mood: Not Unified
Multiple sources describe the last month as heavy for players and staff. A prominent booster even witnessed fans arguing in the stands at NC State.
One player source was blunt:
“Mike doesn’t have the locker room anymore.”
Some players remain loyal. Others are checked out. Others believe 2026 will just repeat 2025.
This is the working environment as FSU prepares for its biggest game of the year.
🧩 2. Norvell’s ‘Fundamental Changes’: Still Vague in Public
Norvell says all specifics are on hold until after the Florida game, but insiders detail the priorities:
Overhaul FSU’s evaluation & development processes
Revamp recruiting + transfer portal operations
Staff additions AND staff changes are expected
FSU believes its portal hit rate has declined, and high school recruiting still trails the Bowden/Jimbo standard.
Norvell acknowledges the complexity of 2025+ revenue sharing, roster caps, and NIL:
“There are monumental changes … it takes major investment from everyone.”
FSU’s administration will also weigh in — meaning final authority is not yet clear.
📉 3. FSU’s 2025 Reality: A Fringe Top-30 Team That Couldn’t Finish
Numbers show a team better than its record — but not by much.
Interesting split:
5 wins: all by double digits
6 losses: only one by >10 points
Avg. margin of defeat: 8.0 points (only PSU, KSU, Clemson, Auburn better among multi-loss teams)
Actual margin of victory: 39.8 (best of any team with ≥3 wins)
FEI/SP+ composite (F+): 30th nationally
Profile = fringe Top 25–30 team, but not one that “should have” won 8–10 games.
Yet FSU remains winless on the road for over two years — the core issue defining Saturday.
🧠 Why It Matters
FSU’s leadership crisis, locker-room split, unstable staff future, recruiting inflection point, and analytics profile all converge on one truth:
FSU desperately needs a stabilizing win in The Swamp for bowl eligibility and for the credibility of everything coming next.
And that’s a wrap!
That’s a wrap on today’s edition — the calm before one of the most dramatic weekends of the year. Soccer is knocking on the College Cup door, volleyball closes the regular season on Senior Day, football stares down a season-defining trip to The Swamp, and the program itself sits on the edge of major change.
However your Thanksgiving weekend looks, I hope it’s full of good food, loud family debates, and a rivalry win that fixes everyone’s mood.
See you tomorrow — and Go Noles. 🔥🍢
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