🏹 September 29th 2023 - The Chief Brief 🏹

Welcome back to another edition of The Chief Brief! As the heart of the season beats on, our Seminoles continue to make waves across various sports arenas. From the echoing cheers at Doak Campbell Stadium to the crack of the bat at Dick Howser Stadium, there's no shortage of Seminole spirit. And, as always, a big shoutout to our sponsor, The Gnarly Barley, for fueling our updates with their unwavering support.

CFB Playoff Projections: Most outlets have FSU in Final 4 (ESPN doesn't), some have them playing for it all

Florida State, currently ranked No. 5, boasts an impressive 4-0 record this season, with 2-0 in conference play. The majority of national outlets predict the Seminoles as a contender for the College Football Playoff. Here's a breakdown of the projections from various sources:

• 247Sports: They project FSU to face Ohio State in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals. Georgia and Texas are expected to compete in the Sugar Bowl. 247Sports predicts the Seminoles and Longhorns to advance and compete in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

• Action Network: This outlet also sees FSU taking on Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. They predict Georgia and FSU advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship after their respective semifinal matches.

• USA Today: They project FSU to go up against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. However, they believe the Seminoles will lose to the Bulldogs, who will then face Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

• CBS Sports: CBS Sports has FSU competing against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They also predict Michigan and Texas to face off in the Rose Bowl. However, they don't provide projections for the winners of these matches.

• ESPN: Both Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach from ESPN.com place FSU outside of the College Football Playoffs. They predict FSU will face Ohio State in the Orange Bowl as part of the New Year's Six.

• College Football News: This source predicts FSU will face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They project Georgia and Ohio State to advance from the semifinals and compete in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

• Athlon Sports: Athlon Sports sees FSU taking on Michigan in the Rose Bowl. They project Georgia and Michigan to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

• Bleacher Report: They predict FSU will compete against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They added that Florida State seems to be in a strong position to make it to the playoff, especially given their current schedule.

While the predictions are as varied as Florida weather, it's evident that the Seminoles are making waves.

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Game Notes: No. 2 FSU Soccer back in action on Friday night when they host Miami under the lights

No. 2 Florida State soccer is gearing up to host Miami this Friday night at 7 p.m. from the Seminole Soccer Complex in Tallahassee, Fla. This marks just the third home match for FSU (7-0-1, 2-0-1 ACC) this season. Fans can catch the action against UM (3-4-3, 2-1-0 ACC) on ACC Network Extra.

The Seminoles have been on a roll, boasting a 43-game winning streak against unranked opponents since October 25, 2018. Their record against teams from the Sunshine State is equally impressive, having won 12 straight games against Florida-based teams. When it comes to Miami, FSU has a dominant 19-4-0 all-time advantage, including a 10-1-0 record in Tallahassee.

The team's recent tie with No. 1 North Carolina was a nail-biter, ending in a 3-3 draw. Freshman Mimi Van Zanten was the hero of the day, scoring in the final moments to tie the game. Jordynn Dudley, another freshman, also shone with two goals for FSU.

Interestingly, FSU has had to overcome deficits in their last three matches to either win or secure a tie. They've been particularly strong in the final 25 minutes of their games, outscoring opponents 11-3. The team's performance in the second half of games has been commendable, with a 17-3 advantage over opponents.

On the stats front, FSU has netted 24 goals from 140 shots this season. Onyi Echegini leads the team with six goals, while Taylor Huff tops the assist chart with seven. On the other hand, Miami has managed eight goals from 51 shots.

The Seminoles' impressive home record since 2005 stands at 193-16-11. They've been particularly dominant in recent times, with a 123-8-8 record in their last 139 home matches since 2011.

While FSU's soccer team is prepared to deliver a thrashing on the field, let's hope Miami has been practicing their "avoid getting kicked in the face" drills. But in all seriousness, Friday's match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Will FSU continue their dominance, or will Miami pull off an upset? Only time will tell!

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FSU Baseball: Notes and Insights from the First Weekend of Scrimmages

Florida State baseball recently held its inaugural scrimmages for the fall ball season. Over the weekend, the Seminoles played four innings on Friday and 2.5 innings on Saturday. Here's a breakdown of the key takeaways from the first weekend of live at-bats:

1. Getting Back in the Groove: The pitching staff had its ups and downs during the first weekend, which is expected as they get back into the rhythm of facing live hitters. The silver lining is the depth and variety in the pitching staff, with different looks and arsenals that can confound opposing batters.

2. Standout Performances:

   • Cam Leiter: The UCF transfer had a stellar outing, not allowing any hits or walks and striking out three. His fastball consistently hit 94 MPH, and he showcased a diverse four-pitch mix.

   • Gavin Adams: An electrifying presence on the mound, Adams' fastball ranged between 96-99 MPH, even touching 99 MPH thrice. His slider is touted as his outpitch, but he predominantly used his fastball during the scrimmage.

   • Jacob Marlowe: While not as flashy as Leiter or Adams, Marlowe's changeup could be a game-changer for FSU. He effectively used it against both right and left-handed hitters.

   • Noah Short: Bringing a unique sidearm delivery, Short's sinking fastball and frisbee slider could make him a valuable asset in the bullpen.

   • Joseph Charles: After missing significant time due to Tommy John Surgery, Charles returned to the mound, showcasing a fastball that touched 94 MPH and a sweeping slider.

   • John Abraham & Matt Sauser: Both freshmen pitchers showcased promising skills, with Abraham's slider generating swings-and-misses and Sauser's fastball showing potential for increased velocity.

   • Connor Hults: Despite a challenging day, Hults' ability to spin the baseball and his extreme shoulder mobility make him a potential matchup nightmare, especially for left-handed batters.

3. Looking Ahead: The Seminoles' pitching staff has shown promise, with a mix of experienced players and newcomers bringing a variety of skills to the table. As they continue their fall ball scrimmages, it will be interesting to see how they refine their techniques and strategies in preparation for the upcoming season.

For a more detailed breakdown and videos on the Seminoles' position players, you can check out the full article here.

And there you have it – another edition of The Chief Brief in the books. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just here for the highlights, we're thrilled to have you on this journey with us. Remember, every game, every play, every moment is a part of the larger Seminole story. So, grab a drink from The Gnarly Barley, and let's toast to the tales yet to be told. Until our next briefing, stay spirited and Go Noles!