🏹 September 28th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Road Challenges, Rising Stars, and Record Streaks

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The Chief
September 28, 2024

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Here's what's inside this edition:

📊 FSU vs. SMU: Score Predictions and Matchup Analysis 📊
As FSU prepares for their first road game of the season against SMU, we break down expert predictions and key matchups to watch. See how FSU's defense could make an impact in this challenging matchup.

🏃 FSU Cross Country Teams Achieve Top 20 Finishes at Nuttycombe Invitational 🏃
Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams delivered top performances at the Nuttycombe Invitational, solidifying their competitive standing as they head into the second half of the season.

🏀 Latson and Timpson Named to World Exposure Report’s Top 50 Players to Watch 🏀
Two of FSU’s women’s basketball stars, Ta'Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson, have earned recognition as top players to watch this season. Their remarkable stats and contributions continue to push the Seminoles forward.

⚽ FSU Soccer Prepares for Rematch Against Clemson ⚽
The Seminoles are set to face Clemson in a rematch of last season’s ACC Championship and College Cup Semifinals. With their dominant streak intact, FSU looks to extend their winning run.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Men’s Swimming and Diving Ranked No. 18 in Preseason Poll 🏊‍♂️
The men’s swimming and diving team kicks off their season ranked No. 18 in the CSCAA Preseason Poll, as they look to make a splash at the Morcom Aquatics Center.

🎙️ Lashlee Praises FSU Ahead of Mustangs' First ACC Game 🎙️
SMU’s head coach, Rhett Lashlee, acknowledged FSU’s talent and speed ahead of their first-ever ACC matchup. See what Lashlee had to say about the Seminoles' potential impact in this historic game.

📊 FSU vs. SMU: Score Predictions and Matchup Analysis 📊 

As Florida State gears up for their first true road game of the season, the Seminoles are set to face the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

This game is particularly significant as it marks SMU's inaugural conference matchup as a new member of the ACC. Multiple FSU sports writers have shared their insights and score predictions, providing a comprehensive view of what to expect. Here's an aggregated summary of their analyses:

Average Score Prediction:

  • SMU: 26.44 points

  • FSU: 20.44 points

Outcome Breakdown:

  • FSU Predicted to Win: 3

  • SMU Predicted to Win: 13

Key Insights:

  • FSU's Offensive Challenges:

    • Passing Struggles: Ranked 88th nationally in passing offense, Florida State's offense has been inconsistent, averaging just 210.8 yards per game. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has thrown for 843 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions over four games.

    • Run Game Inconsistency: FSU's running game has lacked consistency. With senior running back Roydell Williams sidelined and and Jaylin Lucas out for the season, Lawrance Toafili and freshman Kam Davis will be counted on heavily.

  • SMU's Offensive Strengths:

    • Dual-Threat QB: Kevin Jennings has been a standout, throwing for 479 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while also adding 137 rushing yards. His mobility poses a significant challenge for FSU's pass defense.

    • Effective Running Game: Brashard Smith leads SMU with 380 rushing yards and six touchdowns, complemented by LJ Johnson's 105 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

    • Solid Offensive Line: Ranked 35th nationally in pass blocking, SMU's offensive line has the ability to limit FSU's pass rush. They have allowed only three sacks so far this season.

  • Defensive Matchups:

    • FSU Defense:

      • Pass Defense: Ranked sixth in the ACC, FSU's defense has been impressive in recent weeks, allowing just under 207 yards per game. Shyheim Brown leads the secondary with 32 tackles, while Kevin Knowles has three pass breakups.

      • Run Defense Improvement: Although FSU struggled early in the season, recent improvements offer hope that they can contain SMU's ground attack.

    • SMU Defense:

      • Run Defense: Strong against the run, SMU allows only 95.8 yards per game. Linebackers Ahmad Walker and Jahfari Harvey lead with 26 and 22 tackles, respectively.

      • Turnover Ability: SMU excels at forcing turnovers, with six interceptions this season, putting additional pressure on FSU's offense.

  • Special Teams Impact:

    • FSU Special Teams: Featuring one of the best punting and kicking duos in college football, Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald provide reliable field position advantages. However, limited opportunities in punt returns may reduce their overall impact.

    • SMU Special Teams: Isaac Pearson averages 41 yards per punt, and Collin Rogers is 11-for-13 on field goals, including a long of 53 yards. Effective special teams play could be a deciding factor in a close game.

  • Turnover Battle:

    • FSU Needs Ball Security: With SMU's defense adept at forcing turnovers, FSU must prioritize ball security to avoid giving SMU additional scoring opportunities.

    • FSU's Defensive Opportunism: While FSU has forced two turnovers this season, capitalizing on SMU's mistakes will be crucial for keeping the game competitive.

Overall Sentiment: The majority of FSU sports writers predict a challenging outing for the Seminoles, with 13 out of 16 predictions favoring SMU. The key factors influencing these predictions include FSU's offensive struggles, SMU's effective dual-threat quarterback, and the Mustangs' strong run game. However, FSU's improved defense and special teams could provide opportunities for a competitive game.

Full details are available here, here, and here.

🏃 FSU Cross Country Teams Achieve Top 20 Finishes at Nuttycombe Invitational 🏃

Florida State's cross country teams secured top 20 team finishes at the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational held on Friday at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in Madison, Wisconsin. Competing against 32 of the 60 teams ranked in the USTFCCCA National Poll, the Seminoles demonstrated impressive performances.

Highlights:

Women's Team:

  • Team Finish: 16th place with a score of 409.

  • Top Performers:

    • Bieke Schipperen: Led the women's 6K with a time of 20:30.2, achieving her first top 20 individual finish.

    • Elizabeth Barlow: Finished 39th at 20:52.2.

    • Victory Over Ranked Teams: Secured wins against No. 30 Iowa State and Michigan (Receiving Votes).

Men's Team:

  • Team Finish: 15th place with a score of 356.

  • Top Performers:

    • Kidus Misgina: Led the men's 8K with a time of 23:45.9, placing 16th.

    • Matthew Neill: Achieved a career-best time of 24:03.2, finishing 37th.

    • Consistent Performances: Multiple pitchers recorded personal bests, contributing to the team's strong showing.

Quotes:

Matt Kane, FSU Director of Cross Country:
"It was a great performance by the women's team today highlighted by Bieke Schipperen. She showed a tremendous amount of improvement over last year, improving her time on the same course by over a minute and a half. Overall, I feel like it puts us in a really good position as we head into the second half of the season."

Ian Frazier, Assistant Coach:
"Overall, really satisfied with how the men executed the race in Wisconsin today. Highlights include a very smart run by Kidus and a big finish from Matt Neill."

Looking Ahead:

Florida State will host their first home meet of the season for the FSU XC Invite at Apalachee Regional Park on October 11th, continuing their preparation for upcoming competitions.

🏀 Latson and Timpson Named to World Exposure Report’s Top 50 Players to Watch 🏀

Florida State women’s basketball stars Ta'Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson have been named to the World Exposure Report's Top 50 Players to Watch for the 2024-25 season. Latson ranks 14th, while Timpson comes in at 48th, showcasing their growing dominance on the court.

Ta'Niya Latson:

  • Rank: 14th on the list

  • Stats: 1,354 career points, 101 steals, 279 rebounds in 64 games

  • Honors: Two-time All-ACC First Team, WBCA Freshman of the Year

Makayla Timpson:

  • Rank: 48th on the list

  • Stats: 187 career blocks, 744 rebounds in 98 games

  • Honors: Two-time ACC All-Defensive Team, ACC Most Improved Player (2023)

The Seminoles are also ranked 19th in ESPN’s early top 25 and return 75% of their scoring and 82% of their rebounds from last season.

⚽ FSU Soccer Prepares for Rematch Against Clemson ⚽

The No. 7 Florida State soccer team (6-0-2, 1-0-1 ACC) is set to host Clemson (4-3-2, 0-2-0 ACC) in a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s ACC Championship and College Cup Semifinals. This encounter marks Clemson's first-ever conference game as a member of the ACC. Due to Hurricane Helene, the game has been rescheduled from Thursday to Saturday at 6 p.m.

Highlights:

Historical Dominance:

  • FSU and Clemson have met 37 times, tied for the third-most in program history. Seminoles have won the last eight matches since 2018, including three victories last season.

Record-Breaking Streaks:

  • Holds a 14-game unbeaten streak in conference play dating back to 2022.

  • Scored in 42 consecutive games and maintains a 31-game unbeaten streak, both program records.

  • Five shutouts to start the season and has not conceded more than two goals in the past 18 matches.

Season Performance:

  • Reigning national champions finished non-conference play unbeaten for the fifth consecutive season.

  • Scored 30 goals in the first eight games, the most since 2009, while conceding just four goals since the 2023 ACC Championship.

  • Key players like Taylor Huff, Kameron Simmonds, and Ashlyn Puerta have been instrumental in recent victories.

International Achievements:

  • Six Seminoles represented three nations at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

  • The U.S. team earned bronze after an extra-time victory over the Netherlands, showcasing FSU's global talent.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Men's Swimming and Diving Ranked No. 18 in CSCAA Preseason Poll 🏊‍♂️

Florida State men’s swimming and diving team has secured the No. 18 spot in the CSCAA Preseason Poll, while the women’s team is receiving votes. The Seminoles are among eight ACC teams ranked in the men's top-25, with the women's side also well-represented in the poll.

FSU will begin their 2024-25 season at the Morcom Aquatics Center on October 11-12 after the cancellation of this weekend's FSU Invite. The men will face Florida Southern, while the women will compete against North Florida and West Florida. On Saturday, both teams take on ACC rival Georgia Tech.

🎙️ Lashlee Praises FSU Ahead of Mustangs' First ACC Game 🎙️ 

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee isn’t underestimating Florida State ahead of Saturday's matchup, despite the Seminoles' 1-3 record. Lashlee emphasized that FSU’s talent and speed stand out on film, saying, “Nobody missed on the preseason projections in terms of talent. You look at the defense, they’ve got four starters that are gonna play in the NFL."

The Mustangs are coming off a big 66-42 win over rival TCU, with sophomore QB Kevin Jennings stepping up. Jennings, who threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns against TCU, will face a tougher test against an FSU defense fresh off its best performance of the season in a 14-9 win over Cal.

“They’re long, they’re fast. They’re physical. They don’t let you be explosive,” Lashlee said of the Seminoles’ defense, adding, “They’re really, really good on special teams. Really solid.”

Lashlee also praised FSU head coach Mike Norvell, calling him "one of the best coaches in college football, specifically offensively," and noted that while the Seminoles have struggled to score, they may have found their "winning ways" in last week's game.

Saturday’s game will be SMU’s first-ever ACC contest. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

And that’s a wrap!

Whether it’s FSU football gearing up for a battle against SMU, our cross country teams pushing their limits, or basketball stars earning top honors, there’s no shortage of action this season.

Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and everything FSU. See you in the next edition of The Chief Brief! 👊

Go Noles! 🍢

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