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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

FSU enters a pivotal week both on and off the field — with golf weathering literal storms, football weathering figurative ones, and recruiting quietly marching forward behind the scenes.

⛳ Weathering the Storm at East Lake
Freya Russell led the women’s golf team through monsoon conditions in Atlanta, finishing T-6 as FSU advanced to match play at the prestigious East Lake Cup.

🏀 Hoops Doubleheader Week
The women’s basketball team hosts Tampa Tuesday in its final exhibition before the regular-season opener Sunday vs. FAMU — both at the Tucker Center.

🏈 Primetime in Death Valley
The ACC slotted FSU-Clemson for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Nov 8. The Seminoles look to snap an eight-of-nine skid against the Tigers after hosting Wake Forest this Saturday night.

💥 Injury Notes & QB Watch
QB Tommy Castellanos remains day-to-day while WR Jayvan Boggs is officially out. Expect more young receivers to see action against the Demon Deacons.

🎙️ Norvell Speaks Out
The head coach called on his team to “just do your job” ahead of Homecoming, praising leadership in the locker room and unveiling FSU’s new state-of-the-art football complex.

🔥 Behind the Curtain
While Norvell preps for Wake, university power brokers are said to be quietly modeling buyout scenarios and vetting candidates — with James Franklin’s name surfacing early. The stakes are sky-high, and the pressure higher.

🌴 Recruiting on the Road
During the evaluation period, Norvell and his assistants fanned out nationwide — from American Heritage to New Orleans — scouting top 2027 talent and reinforcing Florida State’s long-term recruiting footprint.

👉 Buckle up — between a high-stakes Homecoming, rising recruiting efforts, and mounting leadership scrutiny, this week could define the trajectory of FSU’s entire season.

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⛳ Freya Russell Shines as Seminoles Battle Weather to Open East Lake Cup ⛳

The Florida State women’s golf team endured monsoon-like conditions Monday to close a rain-shortened opening round at the East Lake Cup in fourth place. Sophomore Freya Russell led the way, finishing T-6 individually after the round was reduced to just nine holes due to heavy rain at Atlanta’s historic East Lake Golf Club.

🔥 Steady Under Pressure
Russell carded a 1-over 37, one of just 11 golfers in the elite field to finish at par or better. She birdied two of her final four holes — including her last — to climb into the top six and pace the Seminoles through brutal weather.

📊 Leaderboard Snapshot

• 1️⃣ Dianna Lee (Northwestern) – 2-under 34

• 2️⃣ Kiara Romero (Oregon) – 1-under 35

• T-6️⃣ Freya Russell (FSU) – 1-over 37

🏆 What’s Next
The Seminoles enter match play as the No. 4 seed, facing top-seeded Oregon in Tuesday’s semifinal. The winners of both semifinal matches — Oregon vs. FSU and USC vs. Northwestern — advance to Wednesday’s championship round, also televised live on Golf Channel (3–6 p.m. ET).

👉 Follow live scoring and broadcast coverage of FSU’s semifinal matchup at GolfStat.com and Golf Channel.

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Hosts Tampa Tuesday in Final Exhibition Tune-Up 🏀

Florida State women’s basketball returns home Tuesday night for its final preseason test, hosting Tampa at 6 p.m. inside the Donald L. Tucker Center.

🎟️ Fan Access & Broadcast Info
Admission is free, with doors opening at 5 p.m. The game will air live on 96.5 The Spear and Seminoles.com, featuring Jack Kavovit and Melissa Bruner on the call. Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.

🔥 Looking to Rebound
The Seminoles dropped their first exhibition 91–71 to Alabama in Birmingham, but showcased flashes of potential across a new-look roster:

• Sydney Bowles: 21 points

• Pania Davis: 14 points, 9 rebounds

• Allie Kubek: 3 blocks, 6 rebounds

🏆 Season Opener Ahead
FSU officially tips off the 2025–26 campaign this Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. against Florida A&M at the Tucker Center.

👉 Grab your tickets now at Seminoles.com/Tickets.

🏈 FSU–Clemson Kickoff Set for Prime Time on Nov. 8 🏈

The ACC announced Monday that Florida State’s road matchup at Clemson will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 8, with the network (ESPN, ESPN2, or ACC Network) to be determined following the Nov. 1 games.

🔥 Game Preview Snapshot

• Matchup: Florida State (3–4, 0–4 ACC) vs. Clemson (3–4, 2–3 ACC)

• Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.

• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

• TV: ESPN / ESPN2 / ACC Network (TBD)

💪 Recent History
Clemson has won eight of the last nine meetings, including last season’s matchup, though FSU took the 2023 meeting in Death Valley. All-time, the Seminoles lead the series 21–16.

📅 Before Then
FSU hosts Wake Forest this Saturday (Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network), while Clemson faces Duke earlier that day (Noon, ACC Network).

👉 Full broadcast details for the Nov. 8 showdown will be confirmed after this weekend’s games.

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🏈 FSU Depth Chart Notes: Castellanos Day-to-Day, Boggs Out vs. Wake Forest 🏈

Florida State (3–4, 0–4 ACC) released its official depth chart ahead of Saturday’s home matchup against Wake Forest (5–2, 2–2 ACC), with a few key injury updates and personnel shifts highlighting the week’s roster outlook.

🔥 QB Situation Remains Fluid
Head coach Mike Norvell confirmed starting quarterback Tommy Castellanos remains day-to-day after suffering a presumed concussion and lingering leg injury in the loss at Stanford.

Castellanos has made progress since the bye, but his availability remains uncertain. If he’s unable to go, expect a combination of Kevin Sperry and Brock Glenn to handle reps, as offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has hinted at a possible two-QB approach.

🧠 QB Depth Chart
1️⃣ Tommy Castellanos
2️⃣ Brock Glenn or Kevin Sperry

💥 WR Room Shuffles After Boggs Injury
True freshman Jayvan Boggs, who began the year as a starting wide receiver, will miss Saturday’s game due to a lingering setback, Norvell announced. Boggs has five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown this season but has battled recurring injuries throughout the fall.

His absence opens the door for a trio of young receivers — Teriq Mallory, Elijah Moore, and Tae'Shaun Gelsey — to see expanded snaps. Notably, Micahi Danzy was elevated to co-starter alongside Squirrel White at one receiver slot.

🔥 Notable Changes

• Boggs removed from the two-deep after rejoining for the Stanford game.

• Danzy now listed as a co-starter with White at wide receiver.

• Mallory added to the rotation for the first time this season.

💪 Quick Depth Chart Highlights

• RB Rotation: Roydell Williams and Gavin Sawchuk continue to share top billing.

• TE Room: Randy Pittman remains TE1, with Markeston Douglas and Landen Thomas backing up.

• Defense: The D-line rotation remains fluid with multiple “OR” designations as FSU looks to generate consistency up front.

👉 Full depth chart and player status updates available on Seminoles.com.

🏈 Mike Norvell Addresses Injuries, Leadership, and Wake Forest Ahead of Homecoming Game 🏈

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell met with the media Monday as the Seminoles prepare to host Wake Forest on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. He discussed team health, leadership amid adversity, and the challenges of facing a surging Demon Deacons squad.

🔥 On the Bye Week & Team Focus
Norvell said the off week provided valuable time for both reflection and recruiting, adding that the team’s focus now is simple: “Do your job.”

He emphasized reducing penalties and unforced errors, noting that all four of FSU’s ACC losses have been one-score games.

🔥 On Wake Forest
Norvell praised the Demon Deacons’ defensive toughness and discipline:

He also highlighted running back Demond Claiborne and receiver Chris Barnes as key offensive threats and called Wake “a team that can compete with anybody in the league.”

🎯 On Leadership and Adversity
Norvell acknowledged the emotional toll of FSU’s recent struggles but praised players stepping into leadership roles:

He added that several veterans have “taken ownership” and are helping younger players stay focused through a difficult stretch.

🏗️ New Football Facility Opens
Norvell confirmed the team has officially moved into its new state-of-the-art football complex, calling it “one of the best in the country.”

📅 Next Up
Florida State (3–4, 0–4 ACC) hosts Wake Forest (5–2, 2–2 ACC) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET for Homecoming and the Seminole Heritage Game at Doak Campbell Stadium.

👉 Watch the full press conference replay on Seminoles.com.

🔥 Inside the Situation: FSU Power Brokers Quietly Explore Post-Norvell Scenarios 🔥

Even though Florida State chose not to part ways with Mike Norvell following the Stanford loss, multiple indications point to serious discussions happening behind the scenes about the program’s future.

💰 High Stakes, High Caution
FSU’s leadership has been conducting what insiders describe as a “parallel process” — simultaneously preparing for a potential coaching change while continuing to evaluate Norvell’s remaining games. While the university publicly stated that a “comprehensive assessment” would take place at season’s end, sources suggest that nothing is off the table, especially if Saturday’s game vs. Wake Forest goes poorly.

The challenge? Money. Norvell’s buyout exceeds $50 million, and the total cost (including assistants) could climb well beyond $100 million if a full staff overhaul is triggered. That financial reality is forcing the administration to explore creative solutions — including offset scenarios, similar to what FSU arranged when Willie Taggart took the FAU job at a reduced salary while FSU paid the balance.

👔 Jimmy Sexton’s Shadow Looms Large
Agent Jimmy Sexton, who represents Norvell and many of the sport’s top coaches, is reportedly a key player in the ongoing discussions. FSU leadership is believed to be coordinating with Sexton to understand both the financial landscape and the availability of replacement candidates.

Among those linked early in internal talks: James Franklin, recently dismissed at Penn State. Franklin has long been intrigued by the Florida State job and, according to sources, would be “very interested” if it opens. However, questions remain about his fit, financial feasibility, and whether he’s truly the program’s best long-term answer.

🧩 What’s Happening Behind the Scenes

• FSU is modeling financial scenarios for both retaining and firing Norvell.

• Preliminary vetting of coaching candidates is underway.

• The administration continues to evaluate team dynamics, morale, and performance under Norvell.

• Some insiders describe the situation as “fluid,” with “emotionally charged” conversations taking place at the university’s highest levels.

😬 Norvell’s Future Hangs by a Thread
While not officially over, Norvell’s tenure is viewed by many internally as “nearly impossible” to salvage. Body language and sideline demeanor during the Stanford game reportedly concerned leadership, and optimism for a turnaround is minimal.

📆 What’s Next
All eyes are on Saturday’s home game vs. Wake Forest. A fifth straight loss could accelerate decision-making, especially as FSU weighs timing, finances, and optics heading into a pivotal recruiting stretch.

👉 Stay tuned to The Chief Brief for developing updates on this evolving situation in Tallahassee or check out the message boards here.

🌴 Norvell, Staff Hit the Road During Evaluation Period to Scout 2027 Talent 🌴

With the NCAA’s evaluation period in effect, Mike Norvell and his assistants spent the bye week traveling to high school powerhouses across the country to evaluate future Florida State targets — though no direct conversations with recruits or families were permitted.

🔥 Norvell in South Florida Spotlight
Norvell attended the American Heritage vs. St. Thomas Aquinas matchup — a game loaded with blue-chip prospects and multiple Seminole connections.

• American Heritage: Four-star FSU commit Brandon Bennett (WR) and 2027 DB Amare Nugent.

• St. Thomas Aquinas: Five-star 2027 OT Mark Matthews, one of FSU’s earliest offensive tackle targets, and four-star 2027 safety Zayden Gamble, who currently lists FSU in his Top 10.

Gamble told Warchant he “liked seeing Coach Norvell at the game” but acknowledged the Seminoles “still have work to do” in his recruitment.

💪 Assistants Active Nationwide

• TE Coach Chris Thomsen traveled to Jacksonville Bolles to watch FSU’s newest commit Corbyn Fordham (TE) in action — though Fordham saw limited reps in a lopsided win.

• RB Coach David Johnson returned to Louisiana, visiting four-star WR Miguel Whitley at St. Augustine High (New Orleans). Whitley — ranked No. 46 nationally in the 2027 class — was FSU’s first Power Four offer back in 2024.

👉 Follow live updates and recruiting developments at Noles247.com and Warchant.com.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s all for today, Chief. Between a drenched East Lake Cup, a primetime showdown at Doak, and whispers of seismic shifts behind the scenes, it’s safe to say this week isn’t business as usual in Tallahassee.

Whether you’re rooting for a rebound or watching the storm clouds gather, one thing’s for sure — every snap, swing, and storyline counts from here on out.

Stay sharp, stay loyal, and we’ll be back tomorrow with the latest from inside the Seminole front lines.

✍️ Until then,
— The Chief