The latest on a lot of big names:

For the final time before Saturday's home game against Memphis, the Florida State football held an open practice to media members Wednesday morning.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell said after the practice that they wanted to bring a bit more speed and intensity to the day's work to prepare the team for Saturday after it hasn't played up to its standard in the first two games of the season. I thought that was clear and translated onto the field, especially as the practice progressed. Below are the Osceola staff observations from Wednesday morning's practice:

FSU was definitely trying to find some unique ways to work on tackling in practice Wednesday after struggling to make tackles consistently enough in the first two games. One particular drill which we don't often see in practice during game weeks saw the skill-position players work on a perimeter blocking/tackling drill with screen passes and lateral runs towards the sideline. The coaches watching this drill seemed pleased with the defense's response to the physical challenge.

For the second time in as many practices, I thought the passing game really grew into the practice and finished quite strong after a slower start. There was a fairly successful one-minute drill which moved the ball across midfield early in practice and then the offense finished strong when working against the scout-team defense. Yes, it was the scout team, but we saw a level of very successful deep passing from DJ Uiagalelei during this portion of practice that we hadn't seen in some time even against the scout team. During this final portion of practice, he hit a number of beautiful deep balls to Ja'Khi Douglas through some pretty good coverage, found Jalen Brown open deep for a few more touchdowns and generally took more shots and had more success with the intermediate to deep passing game than we've seen him have in recent memory. It's not to say it was a perfect day for Uiagalelei. He had some miscues and missed opportunities. But it was an encouraging trend if he again starts for the Seminoles against Memphis.

Brock Glenn also had some success during this final portion of practice, including a few connections with Deuce Spann, who made a few nice catches against the scout team in addition to an exceptional leaping, toe-tapping catch in the back of the end zone during 1-on-1s. Norvell said that Hykeem Williams has had to shake some rust off this week as he's ramped back up, but he again made a few plays on Wednesday, including a really strong leaping catch near the goal line during situational work.

Freshman QB Luke Kromenhoek continues to impress, especially during 7-on-7 pass skelly. His arm is legit and he uses it well to rocket some throws over the middle of the field.

The run game also found a bit of success during the scout-team period with both Roydell Williams and Caziah Holmes busting a few runs. Freshman RB Kam Davis continues to flash as a pass-blocker with a few really nice reps Wednesday, showing how far he's come in this facet in a short period of time.

Patrick Payton added to his practice "sack" total Wednesday, combining with Tomiwa Durojaiye for a sack on the goal line. Marvin Jones Jr. also had a "sack" during an early 11-on-11 period when the defensive line converged on the quarterback. Redshirt freshman safety K.J. Kirkland added an interception against the scout-team offense.

On the special teams front, freshman kicker Jake Weinberg made what seems like an impossible trick shot when, on a field-goal attempt, he made the kick through the uprights and also fit it into a small window of approximately one foot by one foot way up the wall where FSU uses a camera to film out of. It was an impressive display of accuracy to match the big leg Weinberg possesses as FSU's kicker of the future.

Adam Gorney mentions a few 2026 prospects, including FSU quarterback commit Brady Smigiel as well as Tristen Keys and Javian Osborne

Please look at Matt Baker's critical article on Mike's success/failure at developing his own recruits as well as the number of "Blue Chip" recruits in the '20 and '21 classes (15). I don't recall having that many BC's those 2 years. He places the blame for this year's start on Mike's failure to develop those classes. I don't believe there were many impact guys in those classes. Would you examine this issue and clarify the situation from your perspective? I think Matt on average try's to be even-handed, but he is a Gator grad and rarely misses an opportunity to strike wounded prey.

(Also posted this yesterday on Osceola Village, but sharing here too)

Construction crews worked day and night on Doak Campbell Stadium ahead of the football team’s opener last week. There’s also a crane and work crews nearby as the early stages of the football operations building are taking shape.

With all of the activity and more than $400 million being spent on the two football projects, as well as requests from all of the coaches on Florida State’s campus, why would the athletics department launch another sport? The Seminoles will add women’s lacrosse, which is set to play in the spring of 2026, and have already hired coach Sara Tisdale.

The answer is Title IX, a law that requires universities that receive federal dollars to make strides in its offerings of women’s athletics and expand the number of scholarships or opportunities for women to compete in athletics.

“We did a comprehensive Title IX review of where we were when I became athletic director, working with (FSU general counsel) Carolyn Egan,” FSU athletics director Michael Alford told the Osceola. “And just looking at what our numbers were, what our facilities are, the opportunities we provide our student-athletes, so it was a comprehensive Title IX review. After that review, it was obvious we needed to add a sport because we want to always make sure we’re in compliance with Title IX.”

Saturday, Sept. 14, Noon ET
Louisiana Tech at NC State
Series: NC State leads series, 2-0
Last meeting: NC State, 34-27 (2021)
ACCN: Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 983

Saturday, Sept. 14, Noon ET
[RV] Memphis at Florida State
Series: Florida State leads series, 10-7-1
Last meeting: Florida State, 35-3 (1990)
ESPN: Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 119 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 381
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 971

Saturday, Sept. 14, 12:45 p.m. ET
#24 Boston College at #6 Missouri
Series: Boston College leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Boston College, 41-34 (2021)
SECN: Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 190 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 960

Saturday, Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m. ET
West Virginia at [RV] Pitt
Series: Pitt leads series, 62-41-3
Last meeting: West Virginia, 17-6 (2023)
ESPN2: Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 119 / SiriusXM 139 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 198
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 952 / SiriusXM 955

Saturday, Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m. ET
Ball State at #10 Miami
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 989

Saturday, Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m. ET
VMI at Georgia Tech
Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 14-1
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 34-7 (1988)
ACCNX: Shawn Kenney (play-by-play), Forrest Conoly (analyst)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 113 / SiriusXM 202
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 964

Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. ET
NC Central at [RV] North Carolina
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play), Charlie Strong (analyst), Ashley Stroehlein (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 103 / SiriusXM 206
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 968

Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. ET
UConn at Duke
Series: UConn leads series, 2-1
Last meeting: Duke, 41-7 (2023)
ACCNX: Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Steve Addazio (analyst), Marilyn Payne (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 94 / SiriusXM 205 / SiriusXM 390
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 967 / SiriusXM 980

Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. ET
Virginia Tech at Old Dominion
Series: Virginia Tech leads series, 3-2
Last meeting: Virginia Tech, 36-17 (2023)
ESPN+: Chip Tarkenton (play-by-play), Andy Mashaw (analyst)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 146 / SiriusXM 204
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 966

Saturday, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m. ET
#5 Ole Miss at Wake Forest
Series: Wake Forest leads series, 2-0
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 30-28 (2008)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Treavor Scales (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 132 / SiriusXM 192 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 962

Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m. ET
Maryland at Virginia
Series: Maryland leads series, 45-32-2
Last meeting: Maryland, 42-14 (2023)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 119 / SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 196
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 958

Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:30 p.m. ET
San Diego State at [RV] California
Series: Series is tied, 4-4
Last meeting: San Diego State, 45-40 (2016)
ESPN: Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 390
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 980