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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole and Happy Gameday!

Here’s what’s on deck today—seven quick hits to get you primed before a packed Noles weekend:

🎟️ Season Pass + Ticket Giveaway — 2 bonus seats for Miami @ FSU up for grabs; only 28 Season Pass spots left.

🏊‍♂️ Swim & Dive Home Opener — FSU Invite at Morcom (free entry): WVU/Rice (women) + WVU/Purdue/Tampa (men), tailgate Friday 4–7 p.m.

🏃 XC at Apalachee Park — FSU XC Invite (free/streamed): Men 8K 7:40a, Women 6K 8:20a; last tune-up before a big fall slate at a future Worlds venue.

🏐 Volleyball Starts ACC Play — Road tests at 12–0 Clemson (FSU’s won 19 straight vs. Tigers) and Georgia Tech (chasing first ATL win since 2017).

🎾 Men’s Tennis Hosts Bedford Cup — Five Noles in the draw; all-day tennis on campus starting Friday 9 a.m.

⚾ Baseball Fall Ball Buzz — Link Jarrett “most excited in 26 years”; 23 newcomers, deeper mound, Bailey repping OF, and enclosed/AC batting cages coming online.

🏀 Hoops Recruiting Weekend (’27s) — Four prospects on campus, including 4⭐ forwards Henry Robinson and Jomar Bernard.

🏈 FSU @ Virginia: Preview & Picks — Why UVA’s mesh + tempo tests the Noles, where FSU’s run game should eat, and a wall of staff predictions favoring FSU by 2–3 scores.

Dive in below for details, times, and the full scouting report. Go Noles! 🔺🌲

🎟️ Lock In Your Season Pass & 1-in-50 Odds for Miami Tickets 🎟️

We’re giving away 2 extra tickets to Miami @ Florida State — but only the first 50 Season Pass sign ups will be entered. Just 28 spots remain.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Swim & Dive Opens Season with Home Invite 🏊‍♀️

Florida State swimming and diving kicks off the 2025–26 season this weekend by hosting the FSU Invite at the Morcom Aquatics Center. Admission is free, with competition set for Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m.

🔥 Event Highlights

• Matchups: Women face West Virginia & Rice; Men host West Virginia, Purdue & Tampa.

• Pre-Meet Tailgate: Friday from 4–7 p.m. with food trucks, a live DJ, games & more.

• Last Season Recap: Men closed ranked No. 19 nationally; Women received votes in the final CSCAA poll.

🗣️ Coach Neal Studd
“We’re excited to open the season at home. The FSU Invite will be a great opportunity to set the tone for a successful year.”

📌 Why It Matters
The Noles aim to build momentum early, with the Dual Meet Tournament in Athens, Ga., set for October 17–18.

👉 Full meet details and live results here

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ FSU Hosts Annual XC Invite at Apalachee Park 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Florida State cross country returns home Friday for the FSU XC Invite, held at Apalachee Regional Park — the future host site of the 2026 World Cross Country Championships. Admission and parking are free, with races streaming live on YouTube and the Unconquered app.

🔥 Event Details

• Men’s 8K: 7:40 a.m.

• Women’s 6K: 8:20 a.m.

• Last Year’s Results: Men won with 41 points; women finished 2nd with 52.

🌟 Key Runners

• Men: Lucas Bouquot (24:43 PR last year) makes his final home-course run, joined by newcomers Gino Palazzalo, Aidan Ryan, Aniol Borras Torramilans & Parker Adams.

• Women: Nicole Dinan (last year’s top finisher) is joined by freshman Rylee Blade in her anticipated home debut.

📌 Why It Matters
With national-caliber competition ahead, this meet is both a showcase for FSU’s depth and a preview of Apalachee Park’s rising profile as a world-class cross country venue.

👉 Full FSU XC Invite details here

🏐 Noles Open ACC Play at Clemson & Georgia Tech 🏐

Florida State volleyball (6–3) begins conference play this weekend with two road tests: Friday at undefeated Clemson (12–0) and Sunday at Georgia Tech (5–4). Both matches stream live on ACCNX.

🔥 Key Matchups

• Clemson: Off to its best start in program history (12–0), already surpassing its 2024 win total. FSU has won 19 straight against the Tigers (last loss in 2010).

• Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets own the series 38–23, but FSU snapped an 8-match skid last year. Looking for first win in Atlanta since 2017.

🌟 Players to Watch

• Iane Henke (Sr.): Leads FSU with 136 kills (4.12/set) and 17 aces; first Seminole since 2001 with 15+ kills in four straight matches hitting .300+.

• Kyleene Filimaua (Jr.): 114 kills, 70 digs; career-best 22 kills vs. USF earlier this year.

• Nenu Kpea (Fr.): Team leader in blocks (42), adding 70 kills as a key frontcourt presence.

• Mio Yamamoto (Jr., transfer): 2023 Sun Belt Libero of the Year; FSU leader in digs (107).

• Lily Nicholson & Steph Stevenson (Transfers): Combined 315 assists to power the Noles’ offense.

📌 Why It Matters
FSU enters ACC play on a 3-match win streak with new stars stepping up. Knocking off undefeated Clemson or breaking through at Georgia Tech would make an early conference statement.

👉 Full volleyball weekend preview here

Apple Is Coming for the Smart Home — And Fast

Apple’s rumored Face-ID door lock and smart display hub are more than just new products. It’s a clear signal: they’re going all-in on smart home automation.

The tech giant is doubling down on the smart home, the $158B industry that’s growing 23% annually.

And with Apple’s entry, investors are looking for the next breakout company - and potential acquisition target.

They’re chasing Google (acquired Nest, $3.2B) and Amazon (acquired Ring, $1.2B).

History shows: when Apple plays catch-up, they go big.

And there’s one startup perfectly positioned to benefit.

With 10+ patents, distribution in over 100 Best Buy stores, and revenue growth that doubled year-over-year, they’re built for a huge breakout.

Early investors in Ring and Nest saw life-changing returns.

🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis Hosts Bedford Cup 🎾

Florida State men’s tennis is set to host the 2025 Bedford Cup this weekend at the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center, welcoming six schools to Tallahassee. Play begins Friday at 9 a.m. with singles main draw and consolation rounds.

🔥 Seminoles in Action

• Jan Sebesta

• Mohammed Alkotop

• Justin Lyons

• Azariah Rusher

• Oren Ezerzer

📊 Last Year’s Highlights

• Rusher reached the quarterfinals as a seeded player after a gritty three-set win over Stetson’s Lucas Olivier.

• Lyons dominated his opener, dropping only three games against FGCU’s Stefanacci.

• Sebesta, Rusher, and Lyons each picked up singles victories at the 2024 event in Gainesville.

📌 Why It Matters
Hosting the Bedford Cup gives FSU a prime chance to build early-season momentum and showcase emerging talent on home courts.

👉 Full Bedford Cup preview and schedule here

⚾ FSU Baseball Opens Fall with Optimism ⚾

Florida State baseball kicked off fall practice this week, with six weeks ahead featuring scrimmages and three exhibitions. Head coach Link Jarrett and several players spoke to the media Tuesday, setting a confident tone for 2025–26.

🔥 Jarrett’s Outlook

• Called this “as excited as I’ve ever been in 26 years” thanks to a rebuilt roster featuring 23 newcomers.

• Praised staff’s transfer portal work, especially in building pitching depth.

💪 Roster & Position Notes

• Pitching: Added six DI transfers, including D1Baseball’s top portal pitcher, Trey Beard. Oregon transfer Cole Stokes already touching 97 mph.

• Chase Williams: Will sit out fall after battling injuries in 2025, though he hit .342 with 18 SB last year.

• Myles Bailey: Coming off 19-HR freshman season, now getting outfield reps to expand versatility.

• Infield Flexibility: Multiple players rotating across 2B/SS/3B, including Cal Fisher, Noah Sheffield, and Arkansas transfer Gabe Fraser.

• Outfield Depth: Several natural CFs in the mix, including Max Williams, USC transfer Brayden Dowd, and freshman John Stuetzer.

• Eli Putnam: Davidson transfer impressed with his power (19 HRs in 2025), now working at 2B.

🔧 Facility Upgrade

• Batting cages at Dick Howser Stadium are being enclosed and climate-controlled, finally matching Jarrett’s vision for player development.

📌 Why It Matters
Despite heavy MLB Draft losses, FSU feels deeper, more versatile, and more energized than ever under Jarrett — with fall ball serving as the proving ground for a new-look roster.

👉 Full Jarrett presser notes and roster breakdown here

🏀 FSU Hosting 2027 Hoops Recruits This Weekend 🏀

Florida State men’s basketball is set to host a group of 2027 prospects on Sept. 27, giving them a full tour of campus, time with the coaching staff, and a chance to watch practice.

🔥 Expected Visitors

• Henry Robinson (4⭐, No. 55 overall) — 6’6 F, Deltona (Fla.) Pine Ridge; offered by FSU in June.

• Jomar Bernard (4⭐, No. 71 overall) — 6’7 F, The Villages (Fla.); offered in May.

• Frashad Tisby (3⭐, No. 133 overall) — 6’6 F, Augusta (Ga.) Cross Creek; offered in June.

• Braxton Keathley (NR) — 6’5 PG, Prestonsburg (Ky.) Martin County; not yet offered.

📌 Why It Matters
Landing early visits from multiple Top-100 forwards in the 2027 class shows FSU is getting out ahead in its long-term recruiting cycle while building in-state and regional ties.

👉 Full recruiting visit details here

🏈 FSU at Virginia: Deep-Dive Preview + Score Picks 🏈

Florida State (3–0) opens ACC play under the lights Friday (7 p.m., ESPN) in Charlottesville as ~7–8 point favorites. Virginia (3–1/1–0) brings a balanced, tempo-friendly offense and a defense that’s been situationally solid but leaky in high-leverage areas. Here’s what matters most—and how it maps to FSU.

What Virginia does well

• Balanced, efficient offense. UVA sits top-20 nationally in both rushing (5.95 YPC) and passing explosiveness (8.6 YPA) while playing with tempo (45.5 PPG). QB Chandler Morris (70%/1,050/8 TD/1 INT) thrives on mesh/crossers and quick decisions—only four throws 25+ yards…all completed (2 TD). Ultra-low sack rate (0.7%) despite a merely OK pressure rate allowed—credit Morris’ timing more than elite OL play.

• RB J’Mari Taylor can punish missed tackles. At 5’9”, 204, he’s top-20 in YAC/att (5.38) and avoided tackles, and UVA’s inside zone (9.3 YPC) has been far more efficient than outside zone.

• Situational defense. Raw per-play metrics are meh, but the Hoos sit mid-20s in Drive Scoring Rate allowed and Success Rate; they toggle between Cover 1 and Quarters to keep pictures muddy.

Where Virginia struggles

• Red zone on both sides. Offense TD rate 57% (93rd). Defense has allowed 7 TDs on 8 trips (135th).

• Tackling/run fits vs. P4. Allowing 3.57 YAC per rush with a notable miss total, and both P4 foes (NC State/Stanford) aren’t elite run teams.

• Hidden context. In one-score/“game on” situations vs. P4, UVA’s points per drive allowed spikes—suggesting the defense wilts when it can’t live on third-down wins.

Where FSU matches up best

• Noles’ run game vs. UVA front. Early-down EPA: FSU 5th on offense vs. UVA 98th on defense. UVA’s 7th-percentile Line Yards and only one 300-lb starter (Jahmeer Carter—very good, but one man) point to a front FSU can move over four quarters. If safeties fly down in quarters, FSU’s speed sets can punish with constraint plays.

• FSU pass game trending up. With Squirrel White and Randy Pittman expected back, plus downfield threats (Duce Robinson, Micahi Danzy), FSU can stress UVA’s DBs that have allowed explosives and shaky red-zone stops.

Where FSU must be sharp

• Short/intermediate coverage. Morris dices zone windows and is actually better vs. pressure than clean—so LB/S communication on crossers/mesh is paramount. Limit 1st-down efficiency to create 3rd-and-long; don’t feed UVA a rhythm of 3rd-and-manageable.

Special teams snapshot

• Edge: slight UVA. FSU hasn’t punted much; PK Jake Weinberg is perfect, but UVA’s Will Bettridge is battle-tested and Cam Ross can flip fields in the return game. Keep lanes clean and fair-catch the iffy ones.

Key soft factors

• First true road trip, short week, and Miami next—classic trap setup. Virginia’s OL health bears watching (potential late scratches). FSU’s antidote: start fast, dictate terms with the ground game, and make UVA chase.

Staff Predictions (by outlet)

Warchant

• Gene Williams: FSU 38–24

• Ira Schoffel: FSU 38–21

• Corey Clark: FSU 34–24

• Jeff Cameron: FSU 38–17

• Tom Lang: FSU 37–21

• Aslan Hajivandi: FSU 38–24

• Matt LaSerre: FSU 35–21

Noles247

• Trey Rowland: FSU 45–23

• Zach Blostein: FSU 41–21

• Adam Brown: FSU 34–24

• Brendan Sonnone: FSU 37–27

• Kevin Little: FSU 42–28

• Chris Nee: FSU 38–20

Tomahawk Nation

• Jordan Silversmith: FSU 38–28

• NoleThruandThru: FSU 41–20

• Matt Minnick: FSU 38–21

• Jon Marchant: FSU 48–24

• Curt Weiler: FSU 38–24

• Tim Scribble: FSU 35–24

• Frank DeÑole: FSU 45–20

• Perry Kostidakis: FSU 34–24

Consensus vibe: UVA’s offense punches, but FSU’s run game and depth land the bigger blows. Most see a one-score first half turning into a two-to-three-score final.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap for today’s Chief Brief! Whether you’re tailgating at Morcom, catching the XC Invite at Apalachee, or tuning in Friday night for kickoff in Virginia, there’s no shortage of Nole action to keep you locked in.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates, but until then—cheer loud, stay sharp, and remember: Miami’s on deck. 🔺🌲

Go Noles!