Forwarded this email from a friend? Subscribe at the button below

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

It’s been a busy week in Tallahassee—on the field, in the polls, and even on the recruiting trail.

⚽ Noles Soccer looks to extend its unbeaten streak in a Military Appreciation matchup vs. Stetson.

🏀 FSU Hoops just landed 4⭐ wing Collin Paul, locking in the nation’s No. 1 class for 2026.

🙏 The Seminole family rallies around Ethan Pritchard, as a GoFundMe has been launched to support his recovery.

🏆 Castellanos & Petitbon keep stacking national honors after their standout debuts vs. Alabama.

🚑 TE Randy Pittman will miss time, opening the door for FSU’s young tight ends.

📊 The AP Poll pushed the Noles all the way up to No. 14, but the wide spread in votes shows the jury’s still out nationally.

A lot to cover—let’s dive in.

💸 Get $100 + Smarter Banking with Chime

Looking for a bank that actually works for you? With Chime, you’ll enjoy:

• $100 bonus when you open an account & receive a qualifying direct deposit

• No monthly fees or hidden charges

• Early access to your paycheck — up to 2 days sooner

• Fee-free overdraft (up to $200)

• Tools to help build your credit without annual fees

It takes just minutes to get started.

⚽ Noles Soccer Hosts Stetson in Military Appreciation Match ⚽

The No. 7 Florida State soccer team is back home Thursday night, opening the final week of non-conference play with a 7 p.m. kickoff against Stetson at the Seminole Soccer Complex. Admission is free, and the match doubles as FSU’s Military Appreciation Game.

📺 How to Watch

• Live on ACC Network Extra / ESPN+

• Live stats at FSU.Statbroadcast.com

• Coverage across @FSUSoccer social channels

🔥 By the Numbers

• FSU sits 2-0-1 overall this season (2-0-0 at home).

• The Noles own a 28-0-3 streak in regular-season non-conference play dating back to 2019.

• They’re also unbeaten in 30 straight home matches (28-0-2 since 2022).

• This year’s squad has scored 8 goals with 7 assists in 3 matches.

• Leaders: Heather Gilchrist, Peyton Nourse, and Wrianna Hudson (2 goals each); Enasia Colon (2 assists).

📊 Scouting Stetson

• The Hatters are 3-2-0, coming off a 3–0 win at The Citadel.

• Series history: FSU leads 8-0 all-time, with 7 shutouts. The only Stetson goal came in 2006.

⏭️ What’s Next
FSU closes non-conference play at FAU on Sunday (12 p.m. ET, Boca Raton).

Why It Matters: With unbeaten streaks on the line and a top-10 ranking to uphold, Brian Pensky’s squad gets another chance to sharpen its form before ACC play begins.

👉 Full preview + live links here

🏀 4⭐ SF Collin Paul Commits to FSU 🏀

Florida State basketball landed a major pledge Wednesday night as No. 76 overall recruit Collin Paul (Calvary Christian Academy, West Palm Beach) announced his commitment to the Seminoles over Loyola Chicago.

🔥 Why FSU Won Out

• “I chose Florida State because of the culture and the energy and the livelihood they bring,” Paul told 247Sports.

• Pointed to the staff’s NBA backgrounds as key to preparing him for the pros.

• Praised head coach Luke Loucks’ vision for building a winning culture.

📊 The Profile

• 6’7” small forward, versatile point-forward skillset.

• Strengths: slashing, creating for others, rebounding, and defensive versatility.

• Still developing as a shooter, but brings a two-way threat and length on the wing.

• “I am going there to kill. Let’s go Noles!” Paul said of his mindset.

👀 Recruiting Impact

• Paul is FSU’s third commitment in the 2026 class, joining Jasen Lopez and 4⭐ big man Marcis Ponder.

• With Paul on board, Florida State now holds the No. 1 recruiting class in the country for 2026.

Why It Matters: Loucks continues to build momentum in his first classes at FSU, and Paul’s mix of size, playmaking, and energy could make him a future centerpiece in Tallahassee.

👉 Full 247Sports report 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.

🙏 GoFundMe Launched for Ethan Pritchard 🙏

A GoFundMe has been created to support FSU freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard and his family after the weekend shooting that left him hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

💔 The Situation

• Pritchard was the victim of apparent mistaken identity, shot while driving his aunt home in Havana, Fla.

• He remains in intensive care after suffering a head wound.

📢 Community Response

• The fundraiser was organized by Karl Calhoun, Pritchard’s high school coach at Sanford Seminole.

• “All funds raised will go directly toward helping Ethan and his family with medical expenses, travel, and the many needs that arise,” Calhoun wrote.

🧡 FSU Support

• Head coach Mike Norvell has visited Pritchard and his family daily in the hospital.

• Norvell: “There’s a lot of emotions… but being able to know there are great outlets here to support them through this. I’m grateful for their hearts. They love this family.”

• The university is also providing mental health and emotional resources for players.

👉 Support Ethan Pritchard’s GoFundMe here

Why It Matters: The FSU community is rallying behind Pritchard and his family, showing the strength of the Seminole bond in a time of crisis.

🏆 Castellanos & Petitbon Earn National Player of the Week Honors 🏆

Florida State’s season-opening win over Alabama continues to pay dividends—senior QB Tommy Castellanos and center Luke Petitbon both brought home national weekly awards after their standout debuts in garnet and gold.

🔥 Castellanos: QB of the Week

• Named Davey O’Brien National QB of the Week, adding to his Manning Award Star of the Week and Great 8 honors.

• Went 9-of-14 for 152 yards passing, plus a team-high 78 rushing yards and a TD on 16 carries.

• Became just the second player in 20 years to post 150+ pass yards and 75+ rush yards vs. Alabama in non-conference play—joining Heisman winner Kyler Murray (2018 Orange Bowl).

• Scored FSU’s first TD of the season on a 9-yard run after a clutch 40-yard completion to Squirrel White on 3rd-and-11.

💪 Petitbon: Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

• Recognized as the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week, plus ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

• Anchored an OL that allowed zero sacks for the first time since Sept. 2023.

• Logged all 63 snaps, earning an 85% job grade, 96% effort grade, with 7 knockdown blocks and 7 drive-extending blocks.

• Helped pave the way for 230 rushing yards and 4 TDs, snapping Alabama’s 23-season opening-game win streak.

📊 Historic Context

• First unranked team to run for 4 TDs in a win vs. Alabama since 1998.

• First time FSU hit 230+ rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs vs. a ranked opponent since 2012.

Why It Matters: Castellanos and Petitbon didn’t just debut—they delivered statement performances that set the tone for FSU’s upset win and vaulted the Noles back into the polls at No. 14 (AP) and No. 19 (Coaches).

👉 Full national award releases here

The Dividend Stock Will Outlive Me

The best investments don't just pay you.

They'll pay your kids. And one day, your grandkids.

That's why I own what I call a "forever stock." It pays income every single month — and it's raised those payouts again and again over the years.

It's the kind of investment you can treat like a family home or a treasured heirloom — something you pass down through generations.

It's not flashy. But it's steady. Reliable. And built to last.

🚑 TE Randy Pittman Out for “Couple Weeks” 🚑

Florida State will be without starting tight end Randy Pittman Jr. for Saturday’s matchup vs. East Texas A&M, and likely a few more weeks, per Mike Norvell.

🔥 The Injury

• Pittman played through the issue against Alabama, delivering key blocks and clutch catches in the 31–17 win.

• Norvell: “He’s an incredible competitor… not the biggest guy, but he sure plays like it. I’ve been pleased with his progression.”

• Goal is for Pittman to return at “full 100 percent.”

👀 Next Men Up

• Amaree Williams and Landen Thomas are expected to see expanded roles.

• Markeston Douglas continues as a trusted run-blocking option.

• Norvell noted FSU used plenty of 12 personnel vs. Alabama and plans to keep mixing personnel packages.

💡 Why It Matters
Pittman’s absence stings—he was a tone-setter in Week 1—but it also opens the door for younger TEs (possibly the deepest position on the team) to gain valuable snaps early in the season.

👉 Full Norvell update here

📊 AP Poll Reaction: FSU at No. 14 📊

Florida State’s upset of No. 8 Alabama rocketed the Noles from unranked all the way to No. 14 in the AP Top 25—but voter sentiment shows just how divided the national view still is.

🔥 The Rankings Spread

• High Marks: Jon Wilner and Kirk Bohls each ranked FSU at No. 4 nationally.

• Snubs: Five voters left the Seminoles completely off their ballots.

• Cluster Zone: 31 ballots placed FSU between No. 13–18, the largest concentration.

• Low End: ESPN’s Rece Davis was one of two voters with FSU at No. 19.

📈 Playoff Projection Lens

• If the AP Poll doubled as a projection for the 12-team College Football Playoff, 18 of 65 voters currently have FSU in that field.

• Overall, FSU appeared on 20 of 25 possible ranking slots, showing both optimism and skepticism after Week 1.

🌟 Why It Matters
The win over Alabama was one of the weekend’s biggest statements, but the range in voter confidence—from No. 4 to unranked—highlights how much perception is still in flux as Norvell’s revamped roster proves itself.

👉 Full AP Poll breakdown here

And that’s a wrap!

That’s all for today’s edition of The Chief Brief. From Castellanos and Petitbon stacking national awards, to Collin Paul vaulting FSU hoops into the No. 1 recruiting class, to the community rallying around Ethan Pritchard—it’s been a week that shows just how strong the Seminole bond runs.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates as the Noles keep climbing.

Until then—Go Noles! 🍢