🏹 October 14th 2023 - The Chief Brief 🏹

Hello, Seminole faithful! It’s gameday!

As the autumn leaves begin to fall, the Seminole spirit continues to rise. In this edition of the The Chief Brief, we're taking you on a journey from the gridiron to the court and even the cross-country trails.

Get ready to delve into the much-anticipated face-off between the Seminoles and the Syracuse Orange, celebrate the strides of our cross-country runners, and cheer for the FSU Women's Volleyball and Basketball teams as they set the stage for thrilling seasons ahead.

And as we share these captivating stories, we'd like to extend our gratitude to our sponsor, The Gnarly Barley, for their continued support in championing the Seminole spirit.

FSU Cross Country: Battling Elements and Elite Competition at Nuttycombe Invitational

The Seminoles showcased their resilience and skill at the Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin. Facing off against 44 of the top 60 USTFCCCA-ranked teams, our athletes braved cold, rainy conditions on the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.

Men's Highlights:

• David Mullarkey led the charge, securing 14th place with a stellar 8k time of 23:43.5.

• Matthew Neill and Ahmed Ibrahim followed, placing 118th and 128th, respectively.

• Despite the challenges, including the absence of two-time cross country All-American Abdirizak Ibrahim, the men's team clinched a victory over No. 27 NC State.

Women's Highlights:

• Alyson Churchill stood out in the women's 6k, finishing 31st with a time of 20:34.8.

• Caitlyn Wilkey and Sydney Nowicki also put up commendable performances.

• The women's team, many of whom experienced their first high-caliber race, placed 30th in a field packed with top-ranked teams.

Additionally, the Seminoles made their mark at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Martin Prodanov led the men's team with an 18th place finish in the 8K, while Lauren Bing was the top performer for the women's team in the 6k.

Looking ahead, the Seminoles are gearing up for the 2023 ACC Cross Country Championships on Oct. 27 at the Apalachee Regional Park. The races kick off bright and early at 8:30 a.m.

FSU Women's Basketball: Inaugural Tipoff Event Celebrates Upcoming Season

Get ready, Seminole fans! The Florida State Women's Basketball team is rolling out the garnet carpet for an exclusive celebration of the 2023-24 season. The inaugural tipoff event is set to take place on Sunday, Oct. 15, from Noon-2 p.m. at the Dunlap Champions Club.

Event Details:

• Tickets: Adults (ages 13 and over) can join for $30, while children (ages 12 and under) can attend for just $10.

• What's Included: Attendees will be treated to a buffet-style lunch, a silent auction, and unique opportunities to snag player signatures.

Head Coach Brooke Wyckoff expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "With so much excitement surrounding the upcoming season, we are looking forward to giving our supporters this exclusive opportunity to get to know this year's team and an inside look into how we've been preparing." She added a warm invitation, urging fans to grab their tickets and join the team on Sunday.

Looking Ahead: The Seminoles are returning with a strong core from a team that clinched 23 victories last season. The buzz is real, with Top 20 preseason rankings by both The Athletic and ESPN. With six key newcomers on board, including the dynamic scoring guard from UC Santa Barbara, Alexis Tucker, the team's offense is set to dazzle.

FSU Volleyball: A Nail-Biting Five-Setter Against No. 11 Georgia Tech

In a heart-stopping showdown, the Florida State volleyball team faced a challenging opponent in #11 Georgia Tech. The match, held at O'Keefe Gymnasium, saw the Seminoles giving their all but ultimately falling 3-2 in a series of intense sets (25-21, 23-25, 25-18, 18-25, 14-16). This marked their fourth consecutive five-set match.

Match Highlights:

• The Seminoles showcased an impressive .251 attacking clip.

• Junior middle blocker Kiari Robey led the offensive charge with a .435 hitting percentage and 11 kills. Audrey Koenig and Audrey Rothman also made their mark with 13 and 10 kills, respectively.

• Defensively, the team was on point with 72 total digs and 12 blocks. Freshman Kyleene Filimaua stood out with 15 digs, while Robey dominated with six blocks. Khori Louis and Sydney Conley contributed with five blocks each.

• The Seminoles started strong, clinching the first set 25-21, capitalizing on Georgia Tech's serving errors. However, the Yellow Jackets managed to rally back in the subsequent sets, with the fifth set being particularly intense. FSU was on the brink of victory, serving at match point (14-13), but Georgia Tech made a last-minute comeback.

Looking ahead, the Seminoles are setting their sights on Clemson. They'll be facing off against the Tigers this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Jervey Gym

Florida State vs. Syracuse: An In-Depth Analysis and Predictions

The Florida State Seminoles, currently ranked No. 4, are set to face the Syracuse Orange in a pivotal matchup. Both teams bring their unique strengths and challenges to the table. Let's delve deeper into what we can anticipate from this game.

Injury Updates: The Seminoles will be without star wide receiver Johnny Wilson against Syracuse, as he is sidelined due to a lower body injury sustained in the game at Virginia Tech. Despite this loss, the Seminoles are bolstered by the return of tight end Jaheim Bell and linebacker Tatum Bethune, who are set to play against Syracuse. There remains some ambiguity at left tackle, with Robert Scott expected to be on a limited snap count, and veteran lineman Bless Harris considered a game-time decision.

Recent History and Current Form: The last time Syracuse visited Tallahassee, the Seminoles were at a challenging 0-4. A last-minute field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald changed their fortunes. Fast forward, and the Seminoles are undefeated at 5-0 (3-0 in the ACC), holding the No. 4 spot nationally. Syracuse stands at 4-2, having suffered consecutive losses to Clemson and North Carolina. Las Vegas oddsmakers have set the spread for this week at 17.5 in favor of FSU.

Key Matchups: Syracuse’s Passing Game: Syracuse's passing has been a roller-coaster. With the loss of star tight end Oronde Gadsen II, various receivers have stepped up. The leading receiver for the Orange is Urmani Hatcher. However, QB Garrett Shrader is their standout, though he has faced challenges against stronger teams. Florida State's secondary, led by Fentrell Cyrpess and Renardo Green, has been formidable. EDGE: Florida State.

Syracuse’s Rushing Game: Syracuse's run game has been inconsistent. QB Shrader is their main threat with his deceptive plays. Florida State's defense will need to be alert. EDGE: Florida State, but caution regarding Shrader's unpredictability.

FSU's Offense vs. Syracuse's Defense: Syracuse's defensive secondary has been their Achilles heel. Florida State's offense, led by Jordan Travis, is expected to exploit these weaknesses. EDGE: Florida State.

Special Teams: Both teams have strong kickers. The return and coverage units for both teams have been commendable, making this matchup even. EDGE: Even.

Detailed Predictions from Various Sources:

• CBS Sports: While FSU is favored, Syracuse has covered the spread in five of its last seven games against FSU. They predict a close game but don't specify a score.

• Action Network: They highlight FSU's performance but note Syracuse's potential to surprise. They predict an FSU win but expect Syracuse to cover the spread.

• ChopChat: They believe FSU's defense will be pivotal, especially if they can limit penalties. They predict a comfortable win for FSU.

• NoleGameday Staff Predictions:

  • Dustin Lewis: Seminoles 37, Orange 13

  • Logan Robinson: Seminoles 44, Orange 17

  • Austin Veazey: Seminoles 44, Orange 9

  • Dillon Riera: Seminoles 35, Orange 24

  • Tommy Mire: Seminoles 38, Orange 10

  • Kade Kimble: Seminoles 41, Orange 14

  • Robert Malcom: Seminoles 45, Orange 10

• Warchant Staff Predictions:

  • Gene Williams: FSU 38, Syracuse 13

  • Corey Clark: FSU 41, Syracuse 13

  • Ira Schoffel: FSU 38, Syracuse 17

  • Jeff Cameron: FSU 41, Syracuse 17

  • Tom Lang: FSU 45, Syracuse 17

  • Aslan Hajivandi: FSU 45, Syracuse 6

  • Matt LaSerre: FSU 38, Syracuse 14

Final Thoughts: The Seminoles, under coach Mike Norvell, have shown a remarkable turnaround since 2021. With the home advantage and a sold-out Doak Campbell Stadium, they are poised for another win. However, Syracuse, under coach Dino Babers, is a formidable opponent. The Orange have the potential to surprise, especially with their aggressive defense and QB Shrader's unpredictable plays.

Read more here, here, and here!

As we wrap up this edition, we hope you enjoyed our deep dive into the FSU vs. Syracuse showdown. To keep the conversation going, give us a follow on our new Instagram page.

Your passion for FSU football fuels our dedication to bringing you the best coverage. Stay safe, keep the Seminole spirit alive.

Go Noles!