Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole! Here’s the docket as basketball begins and we get ready for Notre Dame:

🏀 Men's Basketball Season Opener
Florida State men’s basketball kicked off their season with a 74-62 win over Northern Kentucky. Jamir Watkins extended his double-digit scoring streak, and Taylor Bol Bowen shined in his first career start. The Seminoles' defense forced 22 turnovers, setting the tone for an exciting season ahead.

🏀 Record-Breaking Start for Women’s Hoops
The No. 19 FSU women's basketball team dominated North Florida 119-49, breaking the school record for most points scored in a game. Makalya Timpson secured a double-double with 17 points and 22 rebounds, while Ta’Niya Latson led all scorers with 27 points.

🥎 Softball’s Ambitious 2025 Schedule
FSU softball announced their 2025 schedule, which includes their first-ever international game in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and matchups against WCWS contenders like Oklahoma State. The season is packed with tournaments, high-profile road trips, and tough ACC series.

🏈 Depth Chart Updates for Notre Dame Showdown
Ahead of their game against No. 8 Notre Dame, FSU football released a new depth chart featuring notable changes, including adjustments in the QB and RB positions. Brock Glenn continues as the starting quarterback, while Kam Davis is off the rotation due to injury.

🗣️ Norvell Shocked by Season, Freeman on High Alert
Mike Norvell expressed shock at the 1-8 season but emphasized focusing on the final games. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman warned his team not to underestimate the Seminoles, highlighting FSU's undeniable talent despite their record.

🔄 Coaching Changes on the Horizon?
Amid the season’s struggles, questions loom about potential staff changes. Norvell admitted he’s evaluating everything, and with high financial stakes involved, any major decisions may come after the Notre Dame game. Stay tuned as this storyline develops.

🏀 Seminoles Tip Off Season with Win Over Northern Kentucky 🏀

Florida State basketball opened their season with a 74-62 victory over Northern Kentucky at the Donald L. Tucker Center, marking head coach Leonard Hamilton's 20th opening game win as he enters his 23rd season. Jamir Watkins and Taylor Bol Bowen led the way with 17 points each, setting a strong tone for the season ahead.

🔥 Watkins’ Consistent Streak
Senior Jamir Watkins extended his double-digit scoring streak to 20 games, surpassing 1,050 career points and tying his career high with four steals. Sophomore Taylor Bol Bowen had a breakout performance in his first career start, notching 15 of his 17 points in the first half and going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

💥 Defensive Dominance
The Seminoles' defense shone, tallying 14 steals and converting 22 Northern Kentucky turnovers into 22 points. Chandler Jackson and Jerry Deng both tied career highs in steals, showcasing the team’s aggressive approach.

Next up, Florida State travels to Houston to face Rice University on November 9 at 7:00 p.m. as part of The Battleground 2K24. Tune in on ESPN+ for the action.

Read more here.

🏀 Record-Breaking Win for No. 19 FSU Women’s Basketball 🏀

The No. 19 Florida State women’s basketball team started the 2024-25 season with a bang, defeating North Florida 119-49 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The victory shattered the school record for most points scored in a game and marked FSU’s 26th consecutive home-opening win.

💥 Timpson's Dominance
Senior forward Makalya Timpson recorded a massive double-double with 17 points and a career-high 22 rebounds, tying for the third-best rebounding performance in program history. Timpson, now second in program history with 32 career double-doubles, also dished out a career-high four assists.

🌟 Latson Leads the Way
Junior guard Ta'Niya Latson topped all scorers with 27 points, moving up to 14th on FSU’s all-time scoring list with 1,391 career points. The Seminoles had three additional double-digit scorers: O’Mariah Gordon (15 points, four assists), Sydney Bowles (18 points), and Avery Treadwell (14 points, 5-of-5 shooting).

🏀 Offensive and Defensive Prowess
FSU tied the program record with 15 three-pointers and forced 26 turnovers, holding North Florida to 33% shooting. The Seminoles led 30-7 after the first quarter and continued to dominate, scoring a game-high 38 points in the third.

Head coach Brooke Wyckoff praised her team’s mentality and effort: “We scored a lot of points and did a lot of good things statistically, but... the way we used our hearts and minds to get this win was what I’m most proud of.”

🚀 Next Up: Illinois
FSU (1-0) will travel to Champaign to face Illinois on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network+.

Read more here.

🥎 FSU Softball Announces 2025 Schedule, Including International Debut 🥎

The Florida State softball team revealed its ambitious 2025 schedule, featuring a series of high-profile matchups and an international debut.

The Seminoles will travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, marking their first-ever regular season game outside the United States.

FSU will open against 2024 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) contender Oklahoma State, facing the Cowgirls twice, along with doubleheaders against Louisiana Tech and Northern Colorado.

🌴 Florida Tournaments & Road Trips
Following their return from Mexico, the Noles will play three weekends in Florida, participating in the Shriner’s Children’s Clearwater Invitational, the JoAnne Graf Classic, and the Dugout Club Classic. A doubleheader against North Florida and Jacksonville will kick off March, followed by a five-day, seven-game road trip to Oregon, featuring matchups against Oregon, Oregon State, and Portland State.

🔥 ACC Play and Key Matchups
ACC play begins at home against Pitt from March 14-16, followed by a challenging road trip with games against Alabama and WCWS participant Duke. The Noles will then enjoy a home stretch, including midweek games against Stetson and in-state rival Florida, before hitting the road for series against new ACC member Cal, Louisville, and Virginia Tech. The ACC Tournament is set for May 7-10 at Boston College.

Season ticket renewals have begun, with general public sales coming soon.

Read more here.

🏈 FSU Football Depth Chart Released for Notre Dame Matchup 🏈

Florida State football has unveiled its official depth chart ahead of the primetime showdown at Notre Dame, set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC. The Seminoles have made several adjustments as they prepare to face the No. 8 Fighting Irish.

🔄 Notable Changes
Brock Glenn remains the starting quarterback, with freshman Luke Kromenhoek listed as the backup. Kam Davis, who has missed the last two games due to injury, has been removed from the running back rotation, where Lawrance Toafili continues to hold the top spot. The depth chart now lists two tight end positions, highlighting Amaree Williams’ steady presence in the rotation alongside Kyle Morlock and Landen Thomas.

🛡 Defensive Adjustments
On defense, the Seminoles continue to rotate players at linebacker, with both Cam Riley and Blake Nichelson listed as potential starters. Defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. is set to lead the charge opposite Patrick Payton, while Fentrell Cypress and Azareye'h Thomas anchor the secondary at cornerback.

Special teams remain consistent, with Ryan Fitzgerald as the starting kicker and Alex Mastromanno handling punting duties. Malik Benson and Lawayne McCoy are listed as co-starters for punt return duties, adding flexibility to the Seminoles' return game.

The full depth chart can be found here.

🗣️ Mike Norvell Shocked, Marcus Freeman Warns Notre Dame 🗣️

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell admitted Monday he is shocked by how poorly the 2024 season has gone, and he's not the only one puzzled. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, whose 10th-ranked Fighting Irish will host FSU on Saturday night in South Bend, expressed disbelief at the Seminoles’ 1-8 record despite their physical talent.

💬 Respect for FSU's Talent
“Listen, it’s a very talented football team,” Freeman said during his Monday press conference. “It doesn’t take long to turn on the film and realize how talented they are. They might be one of the most talented teams we face all year. That’s just what the film tells you.” Despite the Seminoles' struggles, Freeman emphasized the importance of not underestimating Florida State, citing his team’s early-season loss to Northern Illinois as a reminder to stay focused.

📉 A Season to Forget
FSU is a 26-point underdog heading into Saturday's game, having struggled mightily in recent matchups, including a blowout loss to North Carolina. The Seminoles rank among the nation’s worst teams in several offensive and defensive categories. Meanwhile, Notre Dame boasts a top-10 defense and a top-20 scoring offense.

🎯 Focused Preparation
Freeman is determined to ensure his players respect FSU’s potential. “The record doesn’t reflect their talent,” he explained, adding that injuries, especially at quarterback, have impacted FSU’s performance. He insists his team must prepare diligently and not overlook the Seminoles. “I am not trying to make this team something they’re not. They’re a talented, talented football team... You don’t have to watch many plays to realize how talented they are.”

Read more here.

🗣️ Mike Norvell on Evaluating FSU’s Disastrous Season 🗣️

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell didn’t hold back when asked about the team’s disappointing 1-8 season during his Monday press conference. Ahead of this Saturday’s clash with No. 10 Notre Dame, Norvell described the year as “shocking,” reflecting on the unexpected setbacks his team has faced. “It is one of those things I don’t always have the answer to, why some of these situations or circumstances occur,” Norvell said. He acknowledged the need for change but emphasized his current focus on finishing the season strong.

🔍 Evaluating for the Future
While hinting at adjustments for next year, Norvell wouldn’t commit to specifics about potential staff changes. Instead, he reiterated his belief in the players, especially those from recent recruiting cycles. “These guys are going to be a part of our response as a program for what we’re going to do and accomplish,” he explained. However, some fans have noted that his comments about future plans have focused on players, with little mention of his coaching staff.

🚦 Offensive Coordinator Alex Atkins Weighs In
Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins addressed concerns about the coaching staff’s future, acknowledging that everyone is aware of the need to stay focused and work hard. “Of course we keep that head down and go to work. I think Coach is always evaluating if he can upgrade or not,” Atkins said. With three games left and a bye week looming, any major decisions or announcements could still be weeks away.

🔄 What’s Next?
Norvell is clear that the Seminoles need a “monumental step” forward next season, but the specifics remain to be seen. “There’s going to be a change in what we’ve seen this year to next year coming up,” he promised. For now, though, all eyes are on Saturday’s game against Notre Dame and how FSU can close out a difficult season with some positives.

Read more here and here

🔄 Mike Norvell Faces Questions About Staff Changes Amid 1-8 Season 🔄

As Florida State’s football season continues to spiral, head coach Mike Norvell has been pressed repeatedly about the future of his coaching staff. Coming off a 13-1 season last year, Norvell retained his entire staff and even extended their contracts through 2025.

But with the Seminoles now at 1-8, the worst season in modern program history, questions about in-season staff changes are heating up.

🗣️ Evaluating Every Option
Norvell’s most direct response came after Saturday’s 35-11 loss to North Carolina. “I’ve already evaluated a lot of things,” he stated. “If I feel like that’s in the best part of the program because of a negative effect to a player, then obviously I’d make the change.” While Norvell emphasized his commitment to the players and the rest of the season, his statement hinted at possible changes on the horizon.

💸 Financial Implications
The financial stakes are high. FSU’s coaching staff is guaranteed a combined $12 million in 2026, with coordinators Adam Fuller and Alex Atkins under contract through 2027. Fuller, who makes $2 million annually, would be owed roughly $4 million if terminated after this season. Atkins, set to earn $1.3 million in 2025 and $1.4 million in 2026, would be due $2.7 million if let go.

📊 Assistant Salaries Breakdown
The rest of the coaching staff would also need compensation for a year-plus of salary if changes are made after the 2024 campaign. Here’s a look at the remaining contracts:

• DE/ST Coach John Papuchis: $800,000 in 2025

• DT Coach Odell Haggins: $700,000 in 2025

• LB Coach Randy Shannon: $675,000 in 2025

• DB Coach Patrick Surtain: $750,000 in 2025

• QB Coach Tony Tokarz: $500,000 in 2025

• RB Coach David Johnson: $600,000 in 2025

• WR Coach Ron Dugans: $625,000 in 2025

• TE Coach Chris Thomsen: $650,000 in 2025

With significant financial and programmatic implications, any changes would be complex. For now, Norvell says his focus is squarely on finishing the season strong, starting with this Saturday’s showdown against No. 10 Notre Dame.

Read more here.

And that’s a wrap!

It's a packed week for Seminole sports, with major matchups and pivotal moments on the horizon. Will FSU football defy the odds against Notre Dame? Can the basketball teams keep their winning momentum? Stay tuned, stay passionate, and as always, Go 'Noles!