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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF, Seminole!

It’s a busy Friday across FSU athletics, with multiple teams in action and the football program preparing for a season-defining trip to Clemson. From hardwood wins to recruiting shakeups, here’s what’s ahead:

🏀 Women’s Basketball 2–0 — FSU held off Georgia Southern behind a late surge and balanced scoring, extending its home-opening win streak to 27 straight.

🏊 Swim & Dive to Baton Rouge — The Noles face ranked opponents LSU and Alabama in a high-stakes Top-25 tri-meet, fresh off a statement win vs. South Carolina.

🏀 Men’s Hoops Gameday — Luke Loucks’ squad hosts Alabama State tonight after a 108-point opener, looking to build confidence before heading to Gainesville next week.

🏖️ Beach Volleyball Wraps Fall — FSU splits for the weekend, with top pairs competing at the AVCA Championships in Huntsville and the rest of the team facing UNF in Jacksonville.

🧭 Legacy Flip Shakes Recruiting — Four-star CB Jay Timmons flips to Ohio State, but FSU reloads with new defensive additions and remains in play for key 2026 prospects.

💥 No. 1 JUCO Edge Offered — The Noles extend a scholarship to Jalen Anderson, the nation’s top JUCO pass rusher, who’s set to visit Tallahassee Nov. 15.

📉 Recruiting Roller Coaster Continues — FSU loses three commits but adds three more, including Arkansas LB flip Daylen Green and Georgia Tech DE flip Chris Carbin.

🏈 Saturday Showdown in Death Valley — FSU faces Clemson at 7 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Both programs are clawing for redemption — and Mike Norvell’s squad has a shot to rewrite its season narrative on national TV.

👉 A full slate from tipoff to kickoff — and one massive road test that could set the tone for the rest of November.

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🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Outlasts Georgia Southern, Moves to 2–0 🏀

Florida State women’s basketball continued its strong start to the season Thursday night, defeating Georgia Southern 80–72 in a physical battle at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

🔥 Fourth-Quarter Finish
After seven ties and three lead changes, the Seminoles pulled away late with a dominant fourth quarter — outscoring the Eagles 23–17 and controlling the glass 11–5 in the final frame.

💪 Top Performers

• Sydney Bowles & Solè Williams: 15 points each, combining for five made threes.

• Allie Kubek: 12 points, 7 rebounds (5 in the second half), and 1 block.

• Tatum Greene: Team-high 8 rebounds.

• Avery Treadwell: Matched career-high with 3 blocks, 6 fourth-quarter points.

• Bench Production: 38 total points, giving FSU key depth.

The Noles overcame a slow start, trailing 26–24 after the first quarter, but steadied behind timely threes and second-chance scoring. The win marks FSU’s 27th consecutive home-opening victory and pushes them to 2–0 on the year.

📅 Up Next: The Seminoles travel to UConn on Sunday (Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m. ET) before returning home next Wednesday for the Education Game vs. Nicholls State (11 a.m. ET).

👉 Another team win for Brooke Wyckoff’s squad — and another reminder that this year’s Seminoles can close tight games with poise and depth.

🏊 FSU Swimming & Diving Heads to Baton Rouge for Top-25 Showdown 🏊

Florida State swimming and diving hits the road Friday for a ranked tri-meet against No. 14/21 LSU and No. 16/16 Alabama at the LSU Natatorium — a high-stakes tune-up before postseason season begins.

🔥 Top-25 Clash in the Pool
The Seminoles enter the meet with the men ranked No. 18 nationally and the women just outside the Top 25. LSU and Alabama both bring elite depth, setting up one of FSU’s toughest dual tests of the fall.

💪 Momentum from South Carolina Win
FSU’s men are coming off a 179–121 victory over No. 17 South Carolina, while the women fell narrowly in a competitive meet.
Recent ACC honors reflect the team’s strong form:

• Michel Arkhangelsky: ACC Men’s Swimmer of the Week (3 event wins + relay)

• Kayleigh Clark: ACC Women’s Diver of the Week (1-meter win, 3-meter runner-up)

📺 How to Watch:

• Live Stream: SECN+

• Live Results: Meet Mobile

• Start Time: Friday, Nov. 7 – 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT

👉 With LSU and Alabama both ranked in the national top 20, this is a prime opportunity for FSU to test its championship mettle before the Georgia Invite later this month.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Hosts Alabama State Friday Night 🏀

After a dominant 108–76 season-opening win over Alcorn State, Florida State returns to the Donald L. Tucker Center on Friday at 7 p.m. ET to face Alabama State.

🔥 Game Preview
The matchup marks Alabama State’s season debut and the Hornets’ first visit to Tallahassee since 1997. FSU leads the all-time series 3–0, with all meetings played at home. The Seminoles are aiming to build on their momentum under first-year head coach Luke Loucks following a record-setting opener.

💪 Projected Starters for FSU

• F Chauncey Wiggins: 22 PTS, 5 REB — led all scorers in season opener.

• F Alex Steen: 12 PTS, 6 REB, 2 BLK.

• G Robert McCray V: 12 PTS, school-record 17 assists.

• G Lajae Jones: 18 PTS, 7 REB.

• G Kobe MaGee: 9 PTS, three made 3-pointers.

Top reserves include Cam Miles (10 PTS), Martin Somerville (9 PTS), and Thomas Bassong (5 REB) — giving Loucks a deep rotation of contributors.

📺 How to Watch:

• Network: ACC Network Extra

• Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET

• Live Updates: Noles247 will provide in-game stats, highlights, and analysis

📅 Up Next:
The Seminoles travel to Gainesville on Tuesday, Nov. 11 (7 p.m. ET) to face No. 3 Florida at the O’Connell Center — a major early-season test against a Top-5 rival.

👉 Another tune-up at home before a rivalry road trip — and a chance for Loucks’ squad to prove that opening night’s dominance was no fluke.

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🏖️ FSU Beach Volleyball Closes Fall Season with Dual Events 🏖️

Florida State beach volleyball caps off its fall schedule this weekend with competition in two tournaments — the AVCA Pairs Championship in Huntsville, Alabama, and a team matchup against UNF in Jacksonville.

🔥 National Stage in Huntsville
Senior Alexis Durish and redshirt junior Audrey Rothman headline FSU’s pairs at the AVCA Pairs Championship, joined by newcomers Jess Horwath and Elena Lam in the 64-team national bracket.

📺 Streaming Details:

• Select Matches: ESPN+ (Court 1)

• All Court 1 & 2 Matches: AVCA YouTube Channel

• Finals: Sunday, 12:45 p.m. ET

💪 Sunshine State Showdown in Jacksonville
The rest of the Seminoles will face UNF, a familiar in-state rival. FSU remains undefeated all-time against the Ospreys in official match play, including a 4–1 win in April 2024. The Noles also dominated their earlier fall meeting in the AVCA East Coast Qualifier, taking five of seven sets.

🏐 Notable Pair Results (Qualifier):

• Horwath/Lam: def. Humphries/Murphy (21–19, 21–19)

• Heilbrun/Hultquist: def. Espy/Murray (21–17, 12–21, 21–19)

• Bunch/Hennessey: def. Degroot/Poppe (17–21, 5–21, 15–9)

👉 Two cities, two tournaments — and one final fall weekend for the Noles to make a statement before the spring championship season begins.

🧭 4⭐ Legacy CB Jay Timmons Flips from FSU to Ohio State 🧭

Another major recruiting shake-up hit Florida State’s 2026 class as four-star cornerback Jay Timmons flipped his commitment to Ohio State after taking an official visit to Columbus last weekend.

🔥 The Flip Heard Around Tallahassee
Timmons, the No. 247 overall player and No. 23 corner nationally, had been committed to FSU since June after previously pledging to Indiana. His flip marks the second defensive back loss of the week for the Seminoles, following Tedarius Hughes’ decommitment to Syracuse.

🏈 Seminole Legacy Connection
The son of former FSU linebacker Lawrence Timmons, Jay had long been viewed as a symbolic recruit for the program — one who represented both family tradition and elite upside.

💪 Updated DB Outlook (2026 Class)
Despite the loss, FSU still holds commitments from:

• ⭐️ 5⭐ CB Chauncey Kennon

• ⭐️ 3⭐ S Sean Johnson

• ⭐️ 3⭐ S Darryl Bell III

👉 The secondary class takes a hit with Timmons’ departure, but FSU remains focused on holding its blue-chip foundation while seeking another corner addition before December’s Early Signing Period.

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💥 FSU Offers No. 1 JUCO Edge Rusher Jalen Anderson 💥

Florida State continues to strengthen its defensive front recruiting board, extending a scholarship offer to Jalen Anderson, the top-ranked JUCO edge rusher and No. 6 overall junior college prospect in the 2025 class.

🔥 Recruitment Heating Up
The 6’3”, 241-pound sophomore from Pearl River Community College (MS) called the offer a “big decision,” and has already scheduled an official visit to Tallahassee for November 15, when FSU hosts Virginia Tech.

💪 On-Field Production (2025 Season)
Anderson has been a force this fall, recording:

• 41 tackles

• 11.5 tackles for loss

• 7 sacks

• 2 forced fumbles

• 1 interception

🏈 Recruiting Snapshot

• Formerly committed to FIU

• Took an official visit to Vanderbilt in October

• Scheduled to visit West Virginia this weekend

• High school: Slidell (La.), where he was a 1st Team All-District pick playing tight end and running back

🔥 JUCO Pipeline Building
FSU is also recruiting fellow JUCO standout Josh Warren Jr., who is set to visit the same weekend — signaling a clear push from the Seminoles to reload at edge rusher with immediate-impact talent.

👉 With Anderson and Warren both eyeing Tallahassee, November 15 could prove pivotal for FSU’s 2026 defensive line rebuild.

📉 FSU Loses Three Key Commits Amid Turbulent Week on the Trail 📉

It’s been a week of highs and lows for Florida State on the recruiting front — despite picking up three new commitments, the Seminoles have also suffered three major losses, including their top-rated defensive back.

🔥 The Headliner: Jay Timmons to Ohio State
Four-star cornerback Jay Timmons, a legacy prospect and one of FSU’s highest-rated commits, flipped to Ohio State after his weekend visit to Columbus. The Buckeyes — the reigning national champions and current No. 1 team — made a strong impression on Timmons, who told reporters, “I want to compete with the best.”

💔 Other Departures
Timmons wasn’t alone. FSU also lost:

• 4⭐ DB Tedarius Hughes — flipped to Syracuse, citing coaching stability under Fran Brown.

• 3⭐ DL Tico Crittendon — expected to land at Georgia Tech or Colorado.

💪 Bright Spots and New Additions
Despite the setbacks, FSU landed several key reinforcements:

• 3⭐ DL Franklin Whitley — viewed internally as an upgrade over Crittendon, with higher upside.

• 3⭐ LB Daylen Green — flipped from Arkansas.

• 3⭐ EDGE Chris Carbin — flipped from Georgia Tech.

⭐ Holding Steady and Trending Up
FSU appears to be stabilizing with top targets and current commits:

• 4⭐ WR Devin Carter reaffirmed his commitment after visiting last weekend, saying,

• 3⭐ DL Damaad Lewis and 3⭐ RB Qwantavius Wiggins are trending toward FSU.

• 3⭐ LB Karon Maycock, however, remains a potential flip candidate after visiting Texas, with Miami also lurking.

📊 The Big Picture
The Seminoles’ 2026 class still holds solid depth and upside, but after losing two defensive backs in a single week, the secondary has become a pressing position of need. With December’s signing period fast approaching, wins on the field — and on the recruiting trail — are now equally crucial.

👉 FSU’s recruiting momentum has wavered, but with key visit weekends ahead and new offers extended, the next few weeks could determine the trajectory of the entire 2026 class.

🏈 FSU vs. Clemson: Saturday Night Showdown in Death Valley 🏈

Florida State travels to Memorial Stadium in Clemson this Saturday night (7 p.m. ET, ACC Network) for a battle between two ACC programs seeking redemption. The Seminoles (4–4, 1–4 ACC) snapped a four-game skid last week with a dominant win over Wake Forest, while Clemson (3–5, 2–4 ACC) has dropped six straight home games against Power Four competition — a stunning slide for Dabo Swinney, now facing his worst season start (3–5) in 18 years.

🔥 Recent Form & Stakes
FSU head coach Mike Norvell is 1–3 vs. Clemson, including a dramatic win in Death Valley last season. This year’s matchup carries high stakes: Florida State is fighting to regain bowl positioning and stabilize Norvell’s future, while Clemson risks missing a bowl for the first time under Swinney.

Despite both teams’ struggles, the game pits strength on strength — FSU’s explosive offense vs. Clemson’s stingy front seven — in what could define each program’s late-season narrative.

⚔️ Statistical Matchup Overview

🧠 Tale of Two Offenses

Florida State’s Offense
Led by QB Tommy Castellanos, the Seminoles rank 8th nationally in rushing (241.3 YPG) and 28th in passing (269.3 YPG). Castellanos has thrown for 1,878 yards and 10 TDs while rushing for six more, showcasing his dual-threat ability.

• Duce Robinson headlines the receiving corps (689 yards, 4 TDs), with Micahi Danzy, Squirrel White, and Randy Pittman providing depth.

• The offensive line has been quietly elite — 31st nationally in pass protection per PFF.

Clemson’s Offense
Despite their record, the Tigers remain dangerous through the air. QB Cade Klubnik ranks 14th nationally in passing yards per game (273.6) and has thrown for 1,915 yards and 13 TDs. His favorite target, T.J. Moore (499 yards, 4 TDs), steps into the WR1 role after Bryant Wesco Jr. suffered a season-ending injury.

• RB Adam Randall leads the rushing attack with 522 yards and 9 total TDs, though Clemson’s ground game ranks just 109th nationally.

• Turnovers have been costly: Clemson ranks 113th in turnover margin (-0.63) and has given the ball away in every game this season.

Advantage: 🔺 Florida State — more balance, fewer giveaways, and elite red-zone efficiency (74% TD rate).

🧱 Defense Wins… or at Least Survives

FSU Defense
Florida State’s defense has quietly been a bright spot amid the turbulence. The unit ranks 29th nationally against the run (113.8 YPG) and 43rd vs. the pass (202.9 YPG).

• Earl Little Jr. anchors the secondary with 4 INTs (6th nationally).

• The front seven — led by Mandrell Desir and Darrell Jackson — has logged 22 sacks (25th nationally).

Clemson Defense
The Tigers’ defensive front remains their strength, ranking 20th nationally against the run (105.8 YPG) and averaging 2.38 sacks per game.

• Will Heldt (9.5 TFL, 4 sacks) and LB Sammy Brown (58 tackles, 6.5 TFL) lead a disciplined but overworked group.

• The secondary, however, is a liability — 104th nationally vs. the pass (244.5 YPG) — which could spell trouble against Castellanos and Robinson.

Advantage: 🔺 Florida State — Clemson’s pass defense has struggled to contain explosive plays (8 passes of 39+ yards allowed).

🧨 Special Teams & X-Factors

• Both kickers, FSU’s Jake Weinberg and Clemson’s Nolan Hauser, are 8-for-10 on field goals this year.

• Jaylin Lucas remains a dangerous return threat for the Seminoles.

• FSU’s punter Mac Chiumento averages 44.8 yards per attempt (5th in ACC), giving the Noles a hidden-yardage edge.

Advantage: ⚖️ Even — Both teams solid but unspectacular in special teams.

🔮 What to Watch For

• FSU’s First Road Win in Nearly Two Years: Can Norvell’s squad finally break the streak away from Tallahassee?

• Clemson’s Passing vs. FSU’s Secondary: Klubnik’s arm is potent, but FSU’s ball-hawking safeties could swing momentum.

• Turnover Battle: Clemson’s -0.63 margin looms large; FSU has forced takeaways in five of its last six games.

• Trench Warfare: FSU’s offensive line versus Clemson’s front seven could decide who controls tempo.

📊 Predictions (Warchant Staff Consensus)

• Gene Williams: Clemson 27–24

• Ira Schoffel: Clemson 35–24

• Corey Clark: Clemson 33–23

• Jeff Cameron: Clemson 38–14

• Tom Lang: Florida State 27–20

• Aslan Hajivandi: Clemson 28–27

• Matt LaSerre: Florida State 31–28

Average Projection: Clemson 30 – Florida State 24

👉 Bottom Line:
Two proud programs, one last shot at redemption. Florida State’s offense has the firepower to win in Death Valley, but Clemson’s desperation and home-field edge could make this another ACC nail-biter decided by turnovers — and perhaps the future of Mike Norvell’s tenure in Tallahassee.

And that’s a wrap!

From the hardwood to the pool, the sand to the recruiting trail — FSU’s Friday lineup has something for everyone. Women’s hoops proved they can grind out close games, men’s hoops looks ready to roll again tonight, and the football team heads into its biggest stage since Week 1.

Tomorrow night in Death Valley isn’t just another ACC game — it’s a temperature check on the program’s pulse, Mike Norvell’s direction, and the Seminoles’ ability to finish what they’ve started.

Enjoy the full slate, Chief Nation. By Sunday, we’ll know whether this weekend was a spark or a reset.

✌️ See you on the other side.