Results from the last Poll

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹 

Happy Monday, Seminole!

Here’s the docket for today:

🏐 FSU Volleyball Sweeps Miami 🏐
No. 18 Florida State extended its dominance over Miami with a straight-set sweep on Sunday. FSU’s sixth-consecutive win over the Hurricanes ties their longest streak in the series, powered by stellar performances from Audrey Koenig and Taylor Head.

🏈 Quarterback Questions Loom for FSU 🏈
After another disappointing loss, attention turns to the quarterback position as DJ Uiagalelei’s struggles mount. Head coach Mike Norvell discusses the possibility of a shift in the starting lineup, leaving fans wondering if a change is on the horizon.

🎙️ Norvell Reflects on Loss to SMU 🎙️
Disrupted preparations due to Hurricane Helene didn’t seem to affect FSU early in the game, but costly mistakes led to an unraveling performance against SMU. Coach Norvell discusses the challenges and emphasizes the need for resilience moving forward.

📊 Snap Count Insights: Fresh Faces and PFF Grades 📊
Despite the lopsided loss, younger players like Hykeem Williams and Landen Thomas are getting valuable reps. We break down the snap counts and PFF grades from the game, highlighting some areas of promise (young players) amid the struggles.

🎰 FSU Opens as Two-Touchdown Underdogs Against Clemson 🎰
Looking ahead, the Seminoles face another challenge as they prepare to take on No. 15 Clemson at home. After opening as 14-point underdogs, FSU aims to defy the odds and turn their season around.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Sweeps Miami to Continue Dominance in Rivalry 🏐

No. 18 Florida State (10-2, 2-0 ACC) made a powerful statement on Sunday, sweeping No. 25 Miami (9-4, 0-2 ACC) in straight sets (25-23, 25-16, 27-25) at the Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla. This victory marked FSU’s sixth-consecutive win over Miami, tying the longest win streak in series history. It was also the second time FSU has swept a ranked opponent in a true road game, the first since defeating No. 21 Texas A&M in 2014.

Highlights:

• FSU took a tight first set 25-23, with back-to-back kills from Audrey Koenig and Taylor Head securing the win.

• The Noles dominated set two, jumping out to an 8-2 lead and never looking back, cruising to a 25-16 victory.

• Miami led most of the third set, but FSU rallied late to win 27-25, with Koenig’s serve setting up the match-winning kill by Head.

Key Players:

• Audrey Koenig: 14 kills, her eighth-straight match with double-digit kills.

• Khori Louis: 10 kills on 19 attempts, game-high five blocks.

• Kyleene Filimaua: Team-high 12 digs.

The Seminoles will travel again next weekend, facing Virginia on Friday and Virginia Tech on Sunday. Both matches will air on ACCNX.

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🏈 Quarterback Questions Loom After FSU’s Loss to SMU 🏈

Florida State’s rough 1-4 start has sparked questions across the board, but none more pressing than the performance at quarterback. DJ Uiagalelei’s struggles continued in the Seminoles’ 42-16 loss to SMU, marking the fourth straight game in which FSU failed to score over 20 points. Uiagalelei currently ranks 112th in passer rating and has thrown six interceptions in five games, leaving many wondering whether his time is finally up.

Backup quarterback Brock Glenn made his debut late in the SMU game after Uiagalelei sustained a hand injury. Glenn went 0-for-4, and a dropped pass—a persistent issue for FSU this season—didn’t help matters. The Seminoles have the highest drop rate in the country among tight ends at an appalling 22.2%.

Norvell’s Take on the QB Situation:

After the game, head coach Mike Norvell addressed the possibility of making a switch at quarterback, leaving the door open for change but emphasizing a team-wide need for improvement.

• All Options on the Table: Norvell stated that evaluations are ongoing, and if a younger quarterback like Glenn or Luke Kromenhoek is the best option, he wouldn’t hesitate to make that move.

• Team Accountability: Norvell stressed that it’s not just about the quarterback: “We've got to help the quarterback out too.”

• Focus on the Present: Norvell’s comments indicated his priority is finding the best way to win each week, meaning any change would be made with the immediate future in mind vs. looking toward future seasons.

As FSU heads into its next game, the spotlight remains firmly on the quarterback position, with fans and analysts alike wondering if a change is on the horizon.

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🎙️ Norvell Reflects on FSU’s Tough Loss to SMU Amidst Unforeseen Challenges 🎙️ 

Despite a week disrupted by Hurricane Helene and altered travel plans, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell didn’t see any warning signs of trouble before Saturday’s 42-16 loss to SMU. The Seminoles, who moved their practice schedule ahead by a day due to the storm, showed promise early, scoring a touchdown on their first drive. But as the game wore on, FSU crumbled in all three phases—offense, defense, and special teams.

Preparation Disrupted, Performance Unraveled:

Norvell acknowledged that the Seminoles seemed sharp in late-week practices, but FSU’s execution failed on the field. “The intent, the focus, I thought they were doing all things with a purpose,” Norvell said, reflecting on the team’s preparation. “Obviously, it’s my job to figure it out. But there were just too many mistakes at too many different areas.”

FSU’s second half was particularly rough, as SMU outscored the Seminoles 28-7 and turned FSU’s mistakes into scoring opportunities. From penalties to turnovers, the game slipped away. "Way too many mistakes that showed up tonight,” Norvell added.

Mistakes Stack Up:

The mistakes started early, with a false start, a bad snap, and DJ Uiagalelei’s first of three interceptions derailing FSU’s rhythm. Penalties also played a significant role in extending SMU’s drives and wiping out positive plays. Norvell described the performance as “embarrassing” and “extremely disappointing,” sentiments he echoed throughout his post-game press conference.

Second Half Collapse:

The Seminoles’ first-half struggles were nothing compared to the second. Turnovers deep in their own territory, defensive breakdowns, and an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown helped SMU break the game wide open. Norvell emphasized the need for resilience, saying, “There are times that things start to snowball on itself, and you’ve got to rise up in the moment.”

Focus on Moving Forward:

Norvell made it clear that, despite the challenges, he still believes in his players and their ability to bounce back. “Obviously, we’ve got a team that’s hurt and highly embarrassed,” Norvell said. "But at the end of the day, I believe in the young men that we have.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game against Clemson, Norvell insists he will not allow players to check out mentally. “I don’t anticipate any of that. And to be honest, I’m not gonna allow it.”

FSU will need to regroup quickly as they return home for a pivotal ACC matchup against Clemson. Whether they can shake off the disappointment and show resilience remains to be seen.

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📊 Snap Count Insights and PFF Grades: FSU's Loss to SMU 📊

In Florida State’s most lopsided defeat of the season, a 42-16 loss to SMU, the second half unraveled quickly for the Seminoles. While the overall team performance struggled, there were some notable insights from the snap counts and PFF grades, particularly for the younger players.

Offense:

• Darion Williamson (WR) earned the highest offensive grade at 85.3, though he only played 5 snaps.

• Ja’Khi Douglas (WR) continued his solid play with a 75.1 grade over 37 snaps, showcasing his importance to FSU's offense.

• Hykeem Williams (WR) is seeing more action, with 35 snaps, but needs more opportunities after being targeted just twice. He garaded out at 65.6.

• DJ Uiagalelei (QB) struggled again, earning a 50.6 grade, his lowest in five games. Backup Brock Glenn saw limited action (8 snaps), earning a 68.5 grade.

• Freshman Landen Thomas (TE) had a key 20-yard touchdown and solid pass-blocking with a 69.4 grade.

• Lawrance Toafili (RB) led the backfield in snaps (46) and graded out at 67.6, but overall consistency in the run game remains a challenge.

• Offensive Line graded out poorly with the highest rating belonging to young OL Jaylen Early (63.2) and the lowest going to Jeremiah Byers (41.1).

Defense:

• DJ Lundy (LB) led the defense with a 79.4 grade over 37 snaps, providing a solid presence in the linebacker unit.

• Sione Lolohea (DE) impressed with a 78.6 grade, contributing to what was expected to be an advantage on the defensive line.

• Josh Farmer (DT) was another bright spot on the line with a 74.6 grade over 47 snaps, but Patrick Payton (58.6) and Darrell Jackson (55.8) both took steps back.

• Shyheim Brown (S) had a tough outing, with the lowest defensive grade at 37.9, struggling particularly in coverage (29.8).

Analysis: The Seminoles' young players earned more reps in this game, but the offensive struggles—particularly at quarterback and along the offensive line—are significant concerns. On defense, there were flashes of promise, but the unit couldn’t hold off SMU’s offense in the second half. FSU missed seven tackles, and poor tackling continues to be an issue, with players like Cam Riley missing two on his own.

As FSU looks ahead, getting more production from younger players could be crucial as the team tries to find answers moving forward.

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🎰 FSU Opens as Two-Touchdown Underdogs Against Clemson 🎰 

The Noles’ tough football season continues as they prepare to host No. 15 Clemson (3-1) this Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. Coming off a tough 42-16 loss to SMU, the Seminoles are 1-4 and face an uphill battle against their bitter ACC rival. According to Circa Sportsbook, FSU opened as 14-point underdogs, with a game total set at 45.5 points.

This marks the second time this season that FSU has been labeled the underdog, the first being last weekend’s matchup against SMU. Last year, FSU pulled off a thrilling overtime win over Clemson in Death Valley, with Keon Coleman securing the game-winning touchdown.

FSU leads the all-time series 21-15, but this weekend will be a pivotal moment in their 2024 season as they look to defy expectations and get back on track.

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And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles gear up for a crucial week ahead, both the victories and the challenges serve as key moments for reflection and growth. FSU Volleyball continues to prove its strength with a sweep over #25 Miami, while FSU Football faces a defining stretch as questions loom about the need for a youth movement.

With Clemson on the horizon and plenty of storylines to follow, the Noles are in for an important week. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and analysis right here in The Chief Brief.

Until next time, Go Noles! 🏹🍢