Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF and Happy Gameday, Seminole!

Let’s dive in - there’s a bunch of predictions about the Duke game at the very bottom:

⚽ FSU Dominates Virginia in a 4-0 Victory ⚽
The Seminoles extend their home unbeaten streak and secure their fourth four-goal win of the season.

🏀 Florida State Men’s Basketball Tips Off 2024-25 Season 🏀
Coach Leonard Hamilton and the team were introduced at the Seminole Boosters’ event, showcasing optimism for the upcoming season.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Hits the Road for Northeast Matchups 🏐
The No. 19 ranked Seminoles begin a four-game road trip against Boston College and Syracuse.

🏈 FSU Freshmen Shining Amid Youth Movement (Offense Review) 🏈
Nine true freshmen are on the depth chart, with standout performances on offense.

🔰 FSU Freshmen Continue to Step Up on Defense 🔰
Freshmen are also making waves on defense as the team seeks answers in a challenging season.

🏈 FSU vs. Duke: Predictions & Analysis 🏈
With a 22-0 historical record against Duke, will the Seminoles extend their winning streak? Check out expert predictions!

⚽ FSU Dominates Virginia in a 4-0 Victory ⚽

The No. 22 Florida State soccer team (9-2-2, 4-2-1 ACC) delivered a commanding 4-0 win against No. 23 Virginia (10-5-0, 3-5-0 ACC) on Thursday night, extending their home unbeaten streak to 23 games — tied for the fourth-longest in program history.

Match Highlights:

• Taylor Huff opened the scoring with a header off a corner kick, marking her ninth goal of the season and bringing her team-leading point total to 24.

• Solai Washington converted a penalty kick just four minutes later, doubling the Seminoles' lead.

• Wrianna Hudson netted her fourth goal of the season after a well-placed header by Jordynn Dudley, bringing her point total to 12.

• Giana Riley capped off the win with a stunning curl shot for her first goal since returning from the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Key Stats:

• The Seminoles outshot Virginia 12-1 in the first half.

• Florida State recorded their fourth four-goal victory this season and secured a second consecutive shutout.

• Seven FSU players have now reached double-digit points on the season.

Florida State will continue their three-game homestand, hosting Pittsburgh on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Read more here

🏀 Florida State Men’s Basketball Tips Off 2024-25 Season at Seminole Boosters Event 🏀

Florida State Men’s Basketball officially kicked off the 2024-25 season in style, celebrating with their most passionate supporters at the Seminole Boosters’ Tip-Off event at the Champions Club in Doak Campbell Stadium.

Head Coach Leonard Hamilton, along with his coaching staff, welcomed all 16 players into the Garnet and Gold family in front of over 100 of the program’s greatest fans. The night marked a special occasion, introducing five freshmen, three transfer portal players, and the National Junior College Player of the Year.

Coach Hamilton's Optimism for the Season: "We have the quality of depth that’s going to allow us to sustain our effort for longer periods of time,” said Hamilton. “I think we’re moving in the right direction with improved perimeter shooting, better conditioning, and the ability to run harder and faster."

Season Opener Countdown:

• Exhibition Game 1: October 24 vs. St. Leo University

• Exhibition Game 2: October 31 vs. West Florida

• Regular Season Opener: November 4 vs. Northern Kentucky

Player Introductions and Memorable Moments: During the event, Jeff Culhane, the Voice of the Seminoles, introduced each player and asked them engaging questions. The players shared everything from their basketball journeys to personal quirks:

• Alier Maluk: Maluk, originally from Kenya, shared how his basketball journey began after moving to Pittsburgh at age three. He received his first scholarship offer in eighth grade from FSU Assistant Coach Nickelberry, then at LSU.

• AJ Swinton: The freshman, likened to Seminole great Terance Mann, shared his excitement about playing for FSU, calling it “a place to call home” and highlighting his skills as a versatile player who thrives in transition and on defense.

• Waka Mbatch: Mbatch shared an inspiring story about his late start in basketball at age 14. A former soccer player, he was encouraged to play basketball because of his resemblance to Kevin Durant, and he began teaching himself the game by watching YouTube videos of NBA stars.

  Read more here

🏐 FSU Volleyball Hits the Road for Northeast Matchups 🏐

The No. 19 Florida State volleyball team (12-4, 4-2 ACC) begins a four-game road stretch this weekend, facing Boston College (8-10, 1-5 ACC) on Friday at 7 p.m. and Syracuse (12-6, 0-6 ACC) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will air on ACCNX.

Seminoles' Dominance:

• FSU holds a 40-3 combined record over Boston College and Syracuse.

• The team is undefeated against Syracuse (16-0) and has never lost to either opponent when ranked.

Hot Start to the Season:

• The Seminoles are off to a 10-2 start, their best since 2016.

• They’ve secured three ranked wins, including victories over No. 25 Georgia and Miami.

Player Highlights:

🏆 Audrey Koenig: Leads the team with 206 kills, ranking 9th in the nation based on EPA. She earned ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30.

🔥 Khori Louis: Hitting .445 this season, ranking 1st in the ACC, Louis continues to dominate after earning First Team All-ACC honors in 2023.

💥 Taylor Head: The transfer from Arkansas leads the team with 169 digs and has recorded multiple double-doubles.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Freshmen Shining Amid Youth Movement (Offense Review) 🏈

Florida State has placed nine true freshmen on its two-deep depth chart for Friday’s contest at Duke, showcasing a continued push to play underclassmen as they search for answers in a challenging 1-5 season. Let’s take a look at some of the standout newcomers and their impact so far:

🔹 QB Luke Kromenhoek

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Although he hasn’t played yet, Kromenhoek is listed as QB2 for Friday. Known for his strong arm and athleticism, there’s significant upside, and FSU is weighing whether to give him playing time soon.

🔹 RB Kam Davis

• Snaps: 64

• Stats: 24 carries for 68 yards

• Outlook: Stepping into the RB2 role, Davis has shown toughness but still has room to grow, especially in the passing game.

🔹 TE Landen Thomas

• Snaps: 84

• Stats: 8 catches for 100 yards

• Outlook: Thomas is making an impact with more playing time and excelling in contested catches, though he’s still working on consistency.

🔹 WR Lawayne McCoy

• Snaps: 21

• Stats: 1 punt return for 2 yards

• Outlook: Now FSU’s starting punt returner and rotating in at wide receiver, McCoy has the athleticism to develop into a bigger role.

🔹 TE/DE Amaree Williams

• Snaps: 31

• Stats: 1 catch for 13 yards (TD)

• Outlook: A re-classed freshman, Williams made a splash with his first touchdown and continues to show promise on both offense and defense.

🔹 WR Elijah Moore

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Moore has yet to play but possesses a 6-4 frame and natural ball skills. His challenge remains mastering the playbook to earn playing time.

🔹 OT Jonathan Daniels & Manasse Itete

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Both Daniels and Itete are developmental prospects on the offensive line with significant upside as they gain more experience.

Read more here

🔰 FSU Freshmen Continue to Step Up on Defense 🔰

Continuing our breakdown of the youth movement but now on defense:

🔹 CB Charles Lester III

• Snaps: 4

• Outlook: Elevated from the scout team, Lester is battling for the CB4 spot. His length and range stand out, but he needs to improve ball skills and awareness.

🔹 CB Cai Bates

• Snaps: 4

• Outlook: Another CB competing for the CB4 role, Bates has shown promise with key plays in practice, including a Pick 6.

🔹 CB Ricky Knight III

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Primarily working with the Scout Team, Knight is full of energy and may contend for a two-deep role next season as he develops physically.

🔹 LB Jayden Parrish

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Parrish has impressed in practice but is not yet part of the defensive plans this season.

🔹 DL DD Holmes

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Expected to redshirt, Holmes has responded well to early challenges and is developing into a potential future asset on the defensive line.

🔹 DL Jamorie Flagg

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Compact but strong, Flagg’s build and bull rush technique make him an intriguing prospect with upside as he develops in the strength program.

🔹 CB Jamari Howard

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Recovering from a spring injury, Howard’s length and physicality give him potential to be an impactful defender when fully healthy.

🔹 DT D'Nas White

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Recovering from injury, White has flashed strength and athleticism in preseason and could be a key contributor once healthy.

🔹 LB Timir Hickman-Collins

• Snaps: N/A

• Outlook: Still in development, Hickman-Collins will benefit from time in FSU’s strength program as he works towards a future role in the linebacker corps.

Read more here

🏈 FSU vs. Duke: Predictions & Analysis 🏈

Florida State (1-5) heads into Friday’s night game against Duke (5-1) looking to snap its disappointing season. The Seminoles have never lost to Duke in football, owning a perfect 22-0 record. Despite this, FSU enters the game as underdogs, a first in their history against the Blue Devils. The game is set for 7:00 PM EST on ESPN2. Let’s dive into predictions and analysis from various sources ahead of the matchup.

Score Predictions:

Noles247 Predictions:

Trey Rowland (Noles247):
Prediction: FSU 23, Duke 20
Rowland believes that despite a string of tough losses, the Seminoles will muster a final burst of pride, stopping Duke from their first win in the series. Florida State’s youth movement and scrappy defense could be the key to victory.

Dane Draper (Noles247):
Prediction: FSU 17, Duke 16
Draper emphasizes that this is one of FSU’s most winnable games left on the schedule. He expects a close, low-scoring battle, with FSU eking out a victory thanks to defensive resilience and timely offensive schemes.

Coach Adam Brown (Noles247):
Prediction: Duke 17, FSU 13
Coach Brown isn’t optimistic, citing concerns over FSU’s offensive line and youth in key positions. He believes Duke’s heavy blitzing will create problems for Florida State, ultimately costing them the game.

Brendan Sonnone (Noles247):
Prediction: Duke 24, FSU 18
Sonnone sees potential if FSU can get creative with Brock Glenn in the run game but isn’t convinced they will. Until FSU’s offense shows signs of life, Sonnone sides with Duke in a tight contest.

Kevin Little (Noles247):
Prediction: Duke 21, FSU 14
Little notes that Duke’s defense is aggressive and disciplined, which could pose significant challenges to FSU’s struggling offense. He believes Duke’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and their disciplined approach will be enough to secure the win.

Brett Nevitt (Noles247):
Prediction: FSU 20, Duke 17
Nevitt highlights Brock Glenn’s potential and the youth movement on offense, suggesting it might be enough for FSU to finally break the 20-point mark again and squeak out a win.

Chris Nee (Noles247):
Prediction: FSU 21, Duke 20
Nee believes that despite FSU’s offensive struggles, winning the turnover battle and limiting Duke’s scoring opportunities will be the key to victory.

Warchant Predictions:

Gene Williams (Warchant):
Prediction: Duke 20, FSU 17
Williams believes Duke’s defensive pressure will stymie FSU’s offense and create enough negatives to give the Blue Devils a slight edge.

Ira Schoffel (Warchant):
Prediction: FSU 24, Duke 17
Schoffel is confident that FSU can muster enough offense and win the defensive battle to pull off the upset.

Corey Clark (Warchant):
Prediction: Duke 23, FSU 20
Clark sees a low-scoring, tight contest, with Duke’s defense ultimately proving to be too much for the Seminoles.

Jeff Cameron (Warchant):
Prediction: FSU 24, Duke 21
Cameron believes that FSU’s offense will show flashes of life behind Brock Glenn and the defense will hold strong enough to squeak out a win.

Tom Lang (Warchant):
Prediction: FSU 27, Duke 17
Lang expects a more complete performance from FSU after the bye week, predicting a strong offensive showing to finally give the Seminoles their second win.

Aslan Hajivandi (Warchant):
Prediction: FSU 28, Duke 10
Hajivandi is very bullish on FSU bouncing back from their struggles, seeing a breakout performance that allows the Seminoles to roll over Duke.

Matt LaSerre (Warchant):
Prediction: Duke 14, FSU 10
LaSerre foresees a defensive slugfest, but believes Duke’s consistency on both sides of the ball will help them edge out a victory in a low-scoring affair.

Tomahawk Nation Predictions:

Jon Marchant (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: FSU 23, Duke 22
Marchant is hopeful that the bye week provided the spark FSU needs to turn things around. Though he's critical of coaching decisions earlier in the season, he sees FSU narrowly winning a close battle.

NoleThruandThru (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: Duke 16, FSU 14
While advocating for a full youth movement, NoleThruandThru remains skeptical of FSU’s chances, expecting Duke’s defense to be too much for the Seminoles to overcome.

Jordan Silversmith (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: Duke 20, FSU 17
Silversmith cites concerns over FSU’s offensive line struggles and Duke’s strong defensive front, which he believes will ultimately give Duke the edge.

Matt Minnick (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: FSU 24, Duke 17
Minnick is optimistic about FSU’s chances following a bye week and highlights the defense’s improved performance. He believes Brock Glenn’s mobility will be the difference-maker in FSU’s win.

LastNoleOfKrypton (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: FSU 19, Duke 13
Despite his limited faith in FSU’s season overall, LastNoleOfKrypton is holding onto the belief that the Seminoles will keep their unbeaten record against Duke intact.

FrankDNole (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: FSU 37, Duke 21
FrankDNole envisions a complete turnaround for FSU, predicting that the team will come out of the bye week with renewed energy and cruise to victory against the Blue Devils.

Perry Kostidakis (Tomahawk Nation):
Prediction: FSU 23, Duke 16
Kostidakis sees the youth movement injecting fresh life into the Seminoles, and believes Brock Glenn and the younger players will help keep FSU’s undefeated record against Duke.

Game Analysis:

• FSU Offense vs. Duke Defense:
  Florida State’s offense has struggled mightily this season, ranking near the bottom of the FBS in multiple categories, including 132nd in rushing. Duke’s defense, led by Manny Diaz, ranks 23rd in points allowed and excels at pressuring quarterbacks. Duke will bring heavy blitzes, which FSU’s young offensive line may struggle to handle. FSU’s passing game, led by Brock Glenn, will need to improve to find success against Duke’s 10th-ranked pass defense.

• Duke Offense vs. FSU Defense:
  Duke’s quarterback, Maalik Murphy, has been inconsistent but has a solid supporting cast, including receivers Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol. Duke’s rushing attack, led by Star Thomas, has been serviceable but lacks explosiveness. Florida State’s defense, which has recorded 17 sacks this season, could cause problems for Duke if they can pressure Murphy effectively. Both defenses are relatively evenly matched, though FSU’s run defense has been porous, ranking last in the ACC.

• Special Teams:
  Both teams have solid special teams units. FSU’s Alex Mastromanno is one of the top punters in the nation, and Ryan Fitzgerald has been perfect on field goals this season. Duke’s kicker, Todd Pelino, has also been reliable, with a long of 53 yards. Special teams could be a decisive factor in what is expected to be a close game.

Key Factors to Watch:

1. Turnovers: FSU must protect the ball against Duke’s aggressive defense. Limiting turnovers will be critical in such a tightly contested game.

2. Offensive Line Play: FSU’s O-line has struggled with consistency. Facing Duke’s blitz-heavy scheme, they will need to step up to give Brock Glenn enough time to make plays.

3. Defensive Matchups: Florida State’s defense will need to stifle Duke’s passing attack. Limiting Maalik Murphy’s impact and stopping Duke’s run game will be key to securing a win.

4. Youth Movement: FSU is relying heavily on freshmen, including tight ends Landen Thomas and Amaree Williams, who showed promise against Clemson. Can they continue to contribute and provide the spark FSU needs?

Read more here and here and here

And that’s a wrap!

As we look ahead to more action-packed games and thrilling matchups, the energy across FSU sports is undeniable.

Whether it’s our soccer team continuing their unbeaten streak, freshmen stepping up in football, or volleyball and basketball gearing up for more victories, the Seminoles are pushing forward with determination.

Stay tuned, keep cheering, and as always—Go Noles!