You've seen them in recruiting photoshoots, the EA Sports video game and in FSU's spring showcase. But you won't see FSU debut its turquoise uniforms in a real game this week for its Seminole Heritage matchup vs. Charleston Southern, Mike Norvell said today.

He didn't rule out them being used for a game in the future, however.

I have heard several people refer to "NCAA v House" as a type of salary cap.

Does NCAA v House replace NIL, is it designed to work in conjunction with NIL or does it replace NIL?

Florida State looks to grab victories in four of its first five games when the Seminoles face Hofstra on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The game will stream live on ACC Network Extra.

FSU will wear its Nike Seminole Heritage turquoise uniforms. The Seminoles are 15-5 in non-conference games all-time when wearing the Seminole Heritage jerseys.

Senior Justin Thomas is averaging 9.0 points (27 total points scored), shooting .556 from the 3-point line (5 of 9) in the last three games. He was a perfect 3 of 3 from the 3-point arc and scored his Florida State high of 11 points against Florida.

FSU is shooting just 24.4 percent from 3-point range. The Seminoles have also been outrebounded 146-134 in four games.

Hofstra (4-0) is led by a familiar name, Speedy Claxton. He's a Hofstra alumni and won an NBA title with San Antonio in 2003. Claxton has guided Hoftra to wins over Seton Hall and UMass in the last week.

KenPom projects an eight-point FSU win.

The FSU-Western Carolina game was slated to be played in Asheville, N.C., but has been moved to Tallahassee on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the game will benefit the MANNA FoodBank in Asheville. MANNA's facility was lost in the flooding from Hurricane Helene.

FSU sports information:

For the second consecutive season, Florida State senior kicker Ryan Fitzgerald is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker.

Fitzgerald, from Coolidge, Ga., is 11-for-11 on field goal attempts this season, one of three qualifying kickers still perfect on the year. Fitzgerald and Roberto Aguayo – the 2013 Groza Award winner – are the only kickers in FSU history to make their first 11 field goal attempts of a season.

Fitzgerald has been exceptional from long-distance this season, connecting on all five of his field goal attempts of over 50 yards, tied for the most in the country from 50 yards without a miss and tying the school single-season record. Fitzgerald has accounted for the second-, third- and seventh-longest field goals in Florida State history this season.

In the season opener against Georgia Tech, Fitzgerald made field goals of 52 and 59 yards in the first half, the second player in program history with multiple 50-yarders in a half. His 59-yard field goal is the second-longest in program history, third-longest in ACC history and the longest ever in a conference game.

Fitzgerald’s 54-yard field goal against Memphis was the sixth-longest in FSU history before it was replaced with a 56-yard field goal against North Carolina. Fitzgerald’s field goal against the Tar Heels matched Florida State’s longest in the 75-year history of Doak Campbell Stadium

At Duke, Fitzgerald was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including a 53-yarder. His three field goals made tied a career high.

Fitzgerald is also perfect on all 10 of his extra point attempts this year.

Florida State’s four Groza Award winners are the most in the country. Joining Aguayo in 2013 is Graham Gano in 2008 and the only two-time recipient, Sebastian Janikowski in 1998 and 1999.

Fitzgerald is Florida State’s second national award semifinalist. Punter Alex Mastromanno was named a Ray Guy Award semifinalist earlier this month.

Three finalists will be announced next Tuesday with the winner named at the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.

Interesting read from ESPN .... click here

From the article:
Florida State's win percentage has fallen by 82.9 percentage points at the moment, from 0.929 to 0.100. In the history of top-division college football, there have been 14,788 teams; only three have had their win percentage fall by more than that, and two played during World War I: 1917 Colorado State (from 6-0-1 to 0-7-1), 1919 Colorado Mines (from 4-0 to 0-4-2) and 2012 Southern Miss (from 12-2 to 0-12). The Seminoles are likely to finish 2-10, beating Charleston Southern this coming weekend and then losing to rival Florida. Those results would drop them to merely the eighth-largest win percentage collapse ever, behind four more teams from 1950 or earlier.

Curious everyone's thoughts.

FSU sports information:

The Florida State Women’s Basketball team (4-1) cruised past North Carolina Central (0-6) on Monday night, 119-57 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

The Seminoles tied the FSU single-game points record that was established against North Florida on Nov. 4 and passed the 100-point barrier for the third time this season.

“Tonight, I felt like we played a complete game,” FSU coach Brooke Wyckoff said. “We committed to what we wanted to do on the defensive end and on the offensive end we executed so well. Our 21 assists to five turnovers, that’s playing team basketball. We always want to attack, and we always want to shoot, but we’re trying to find our teammates as well.”

After missing the game against Samford due to illness, Ta’Niya Latson returned to the lineup and registered her first-career double-double behind 34 points and a career high 10 assists. It was her 15th career game, scoring 30 points or more.

The Seminoles were 13-of-24 from the three-point line, led by Carla Viegas, who contributed a career-high six three pointers for 18 points.

In her 100th career game in the Garnet and Gold, O'Mariah Gordon added 21 points and was a perfect 3-of-3 from three, and 8-of-8 at the free throw line.

Makayla Timpson tallied 19 points, nine rebounds and tied her career high in blocks at six.

FSU turned in a 21-5 assist to turnover ratio and held the Eagles to 36.7 percent shooting. Five turnovers were the third fewest in the country this season.

During the first quarter, the Seminoles jumped to the lead after a 22-3 run. Viegas contributed a pair of three-pointers and Gordon added seven, taking the 28-13 advantage.

The Noles scored 34 points in the second quarter, claiming the 62-31 lead at the half. Viegas added nine points in 10 minutes and Latson scored 10.

In the third quarter, Gordon took control, shooting 2-of-2 from free and 4-of-4 at the free throw line for 10 points.

Latson added 15 points in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Eagles 28-15, taking the game 119-57.

The Seminoles will host Florida on Friday at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.

The Hammer came down last week after DC-Adam Fuller, OC/OL Alex Atkins and WR-Ron Dugans were all fired after the ND game. These changes should have happened weeks prior. Losing 52-3 to ND can make things happen. I am sure this was Mike Norvell decision but don't full yourself when a bunch of boosters make a trip up to ND and have to watch a game like that in person, changes are coming. Now that the bottom fell out against the Fighting Irish, FSU is going to have new coaches in 2025. Now that may not be enough for some on here the reality is when the head man has over 60-70 million due this has become the reality of college football.


With BYU losing last night to Kansas there are only three unbeaten teams (Oregon, Indiana and Army). Army plays ND which probably means they will be knocked from the unbeaten and IU who goes to Ohio State next weekend. I actually feel IU has a shot to upset the Buckeyes but the Hoosiers are already installed as an 11 point dog. Oregon tried to lose last night to Wisconsin. The SEC does not have a team left standing outside of Texas that does not have at least 2 losses. That conference has cannibalized itself. There is a very good chance that a 3 loss team from the SEC wins the conference.

College Coaches:

Matt Ruhle - 5-5 (Nebraska)
Luke Fickell- 5-5 (Wisconsin)
Jedd Fisch -5-5 (Washington)
Sherrod Moore - 5-5 (Michigan)
Lincoln Riley -5-5 (USC)
Lance Liepold-4-6 (Kansas)
Sonny Dukes-6-4-(TCU)
Brian Kelly -6-4 (LSU)

Ruhle was one of the most sought after coaches in the country. While he did not do well with the Carolina Panthers, Ruhle won big at Baylor and Temple. Nebraska decided to go with a freshman QB and there have been growing pains. They just fired their OC. Hiring Marcus Satterfield as your OC was not a good choice. Bringing in Holgerson if he can stay sober was a good move. Be interesting to see if he stays on as OC after the season. Ruhle is in year 2 at Nebraska and their fans are already getting restless. This is the same school that got rid of Pelini for only winning 9 games. Ruhle is a good coach but like many others you need to be patience. Kelly is 6-4 at LSU and their fan base is upset but timing is everything. They could have used that FRANCHISE QB this year along with those receivers. They have a top 5 recruiting class and the number one rated QB in the country committed. They are not making changes. Maybe Kelly gives up play calling.

Let’s talk about a winning coach - Deion Sanders- Yes, Deion is a winning coach. He took a crap program like Jackson State and made them into a winner. He then goes to Colorado who was 1-11 in 2022. They were the worst program in college football. One of the coaches on the staff told me there were maybe 5-10 players who were good enough to play D1 football on the roster. Colorado is 8-2 and have to go to Kansas and then host Oklahoma State. Colorado is most likely going to play BYU who lost last night in the Big 12 Championship. Win out and Colorado will get the automatic bid from the Big 12 and a first round bye. I have no idea why some FSU fans hate Deion?

Deion part 2 - When I look at how you build a team in college football there is the Bama, Ohio State, Georgia way....Which you need unlimited money and resources to win "OR" The Colorado and what I call the Dabo (Clemson way). I feel that the way FSU is going to compete is THIS WAY. To win the Colorado way and how Clemson has done it for years you must have 1) an Elite QB (Sanders) , 2) a True #1 WR (Travis Hunter), 3) An Elite LT (Jordan Seaton), 4) an Elite DE and (5) a shutdown corner (Hunter). You can fill the rest of the roster in with quality players who understand what TEAM means. Clemson has done this for years and won. FSU can win this same way. Name one of those positions FSU has an elite player at. Last year FSU had parts of that equations (Verse-DE, Jordan-QB, Coleman-WR). They lacked a great Tackle....

The Clemson Way - I watched Clemson again yesterday. I have watched Clemson at least 4 times this year (FSU, Louisville, and Pittsburgh). If not for just horrible coaching from Pitt yesterday, some awful refs and their QB becoming Lamar Jackson on the final TD, Clemson would have had 3 losses. I think they will lose to South Carolina at the end of the season and end up 9-3. That is what Clemson has become a 9-3 program. Unless Dabo makes some major changes in the way he thinks...Clemson will not win another title under him. Not sure if he even makes the playoffs again. I rather be FSU....Yes, I said it. I rather be FSU. I think the worst thing you can be is in the Clemson position. Good enough to win 9-10 games but not bad enough to ever fire your coach. I could see Dabo retire early but letting go of 10+ million a year and have zero pressure to win maybe too much to let go.

UF-Napier - The Gator Way - Congrats to Bill Napier for winning yesterday - The Gators are now 5-5. They have a date with Ole Miss next weekend which will be a loss and finish with FSU which will be a win. Napier and the AD have convinced their boosters and AD as well as their president that winning just enough is fine as long as you have a stud QB (Lagway). By the way I said at the time that Lagway performance in their spring game reminded me of Jameis. I did not think FSU would see Lagway this year but felt that in 25 and 26 that beating UF would be tough as they would have the better QB on their side. Lagway is most likely getting a win this year and as long as he is their starting QB in 25 and 26 would be beating FSU in those years as well. Best scenario is Billy struggles next year and gets fired, Lagway hits the portal and in 26 you are facing a new coach and QB.

Tennessee - Huepel is close. The Vols are sitting at 8-2. They still have to play UTEP and Vandy but that should be 2 wins. This will be the second time in 3 seasons the Vols will have won 10 games. You have to be in this big games first. Then you have to go out and win them. Tennessee could be the team to beat in the SEC next season.


Playoffs

ACC
Miami (9-1)
SMU (9-1)
Clemson (9-1)

Big 10
Oregon (10-0)
Ohio State (9-1)
Indiana (10-0)
Penn State (9-1)

SEC
Texas (9-1)
UGA (8-2)
Ole Miss (8-2)
Alabama (8-2)
Tennessee (8-2)
Texas A&M (8-2)

Big 12
BYU-(9-1)
Colorado (8-2)
ASU (8-2)
Iowa State (8-2)


MWC
Boise State (9-1) only loss to Oregon

1-Oregon (Big 10)
2-Texas (SEC)
3-Miami (ACC)
4-Colorado (Big 12)

5-Ohio State (Big 10)
12-Boise State (MWC)

6-Notre Dame
11-Ole Miss (SEC)

7-Penn State (Big 10)
10-UGA (SEC)

8. Alabama (SEC)
9. Indiana (Big 10)

Final Four out - SMU, Clemson, Tennessee, Texas A&M

Offensive Coordinators


1-Tino Sunseri - Indiana - OC/QB Coach - After speaking with him last week, he is number one on my board. He checks all the boxes. Potential to be a head coach (YES), has worked under great coaches (YES), can recruit at a high level (YES). He played the position (YES). Tino was quite impressive on our podcast last week. He is very organized and has been there before. He coached at FSU (Jimbo), coached at Alabama (Saban), coach under good coaches (Pruitt/Sark). He has gone down to the FCS level (James Madison) and been productive. Now he has had success at Indiana. He does not need to be the GUY....Just let him be Co-OC. I feel from my conversations with him, Tino would take the job.

2-Brennan Marion -UNLV - I have Tino number 1. Number 2 on the list is Marion. Some will say he has a gimmick offense. No, the guy created an offense because UNLV has stunk. You have to get creative when the program you are going to has never won. He got there and they won. He checks the boxes....Can he become a HC (YES),. Has he coached in the NFL (YES-Dolphins), has he coached every position on offense (YES). Has he coached and developed talent (YES) Jordan Addison says hello. The guy is a winner and a great coach. He would excel at recruiting at FSU.

3-Joe Craddock -Tulane - Tulane has the 5th rated scoring offense in the country. This after losing their head coach to Houston and their QB (Michael Pratt) to the NFL. Tulane is 9th in rushing offense. 88th in passing offense. His freshman QB (Drian Mensah) has 18 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. I think Craddock is a very good coach. He has coached in the SEC. I think this is important for a G5 coach. WHY - Because when he is recruiting he knows what SEC players look like. Unlike (Atkins and Fuller) who neither coached at this level before. I don't like the fact he does not have many if any ties to South Florida or Florida in general.

4-Charlie Weis Jr- Ole Miss- Will he become a HC (Check). does he develop QB' (Dort, FAU QB). Weis has been with Lane for a while so his next move may be head coach. Not sure about his recruiting. He has had nothing but Transfer QB's. He has yet to develop his own QB. He comes from the Kiffin coaching tree. Doubt he would come but needs to be on the list.

Wide Receiver Coaches
Lonnie Galloway - North Carolina - Lonnie coached Joshua Downs who is now in the NFL. He also had Antoine Green a former FSU commit who had over 40 catches for close to 800 yards and 7 touchdowns. He developed Tez Walker. He has recruited the state of Florida for over a decade now.

Garrick McGee- Louisville - He has coached in the SEC -(YES). He has been an offensive coordinator in the past. He resurrected Ja'Corey Brooks career around. Brooks has 57 catches for 945 yards and 8 touchdowns. Chris Bell will also end up in the NFL. He has developed both portal and high school kids. Watch Louisville and their receivers are quite impressive.


Offensive LIne Coaches
Matt Applebaum - Boston College -First met Matt at University of Miami when Al Golden was there. He was installing part of the offense for the week. He owned the room. Very impressive and at the time was only a GA. I knew then he would be a good coach. He got hired by the Dolphins and worked for the Redskins as well. He is a very good coach. He also knows what talent looks like. I feel he would recruit at a high level at FSU.

Garin Justice-SMU- OL Coach- He would need a bigger role but Justice would be my top choice as OL coach. He has had success at Miami and also at SMU. He went from FSU and actually was a head coach at a D2 program and they went unbeaten. He has had success everywhere he has gone. He was a player for Trickett at WVU. He was a GA at FSU. He would be a home run hire.

QB Coach/ TE Coach
1-Chip Long - Southern Miss - I have no idea what has happened with Chip. Notre Dame was 24th in scoring offense his first season in South Bend. 13th in 2019. I don't think Norvell can hire him as an OC as Southern Miss was 131st in scoring offense this season. He would be the equivalent of Randy Sanders at FSU. A guy Norvell can trust and will help develop the QB's. He knows Norvell offense. As a QB coach, I would not have a problem with him.

2-James Coley - Georgia - Coached in the SEC (Yes), knows what SEC talent looks like (YES), can recruit at a high level (YES). I think Coley would be a great fit with coach Norvell. He was the one that stood on the table against Jimbo and said these guys can and can’t play here. Coley does not mind going head to head for top talent not only in Florida but nationwide. He landed guys like Nick O’Leary, Josue Matias, Lamarcus Joyner, Hopkins (Kicker from Texas). He had a great run at FSU and would be a great addition to the program. He can coach tight ends or QB's. He has a very good eye for QB talent. He found Brad Kaaya out in Cali when no one knew who the kid was.

3) Nunzio Campanile - Syracuse - Kyle McCord under his watch has 3476 yards, 24 touchdowns. Nunzio is a well-known coach in the Northeast. He coached at one of the top private schools in NJ. He is someone that could end up a head coach down the road. He has all the chops to be a very good head coach if FSU were to hire him.

Defensive Coordinators
1. Ryan Walters -Purdue - Head Coach Purdue- One thing that does not help a coach who is losing is your biggest rival with a new coach is 10-0. Indiana winning is probably going to cost Walters his job. When Purdue gets run out of the building against Indiana in two weeks, Walters will most likely be gone. At Illinois as a DC they had the number one scoring defense, the number one passing defense. They led the country in turnovers and interceptions. His teams play aggressive on defense. He checks the boxes (can and was a head coach). He can recruit. He is very well respected amongst his peers. My number one reason why I like him outside of being able to coach and recruit...Mike needs someone who can take pressure off him. Give the defense over to someone that knows what the heck they are doing.

2-Tom Allen - Penn State DC- Penn State is number 7 in yards per play. They are ranked number 6 in scoring defense. Allen can flat out coach defense. We had Allen on our podcast awhile back and I wanted to run through a wall for him. That energy feeds into his players. The guy has coached defense at a high level. He was a head coach. He checks a ton of boxes. He likes to recruit the state of Florida. He is a very good developer of talent. He knows what TALENT looks like. Once again, he takes pressure off Mike Norvell on one side of the football.

3-Tyler Santucci - Georgia Tech DC - Tyler has quickly moved up the ranks. He checks the boxes...Future HC (Yes), coached in the SEC (YES-Texas A&M). He also coached under Manny Diaz and now at GT. I like that he has coached under two different head coaches (Elko/Diaz) that have different schemes. He is not going to be married to one scheme. Tyler like Adam Fuller come from the Elko tree. It is a plus that you bring in a coach who the players already know the terminology of what the coach is teaching. There will be less to learn. He is the only coach to be able to shut down Miami and Cam Ward this year. If you go after Tyler odds are you take him off the market from Miami landing him if they go into a different direction on defense. Tyler is a very good coach.

4-Chris Hampton - Oregon Co-DC- Don't know enough about him personally to say he will be a head coaching candidate down the road. He is 38, which is still young. He is from the Lanning coaching tree. You would be taking a chance on a guy who coaches for a successful coach but has never really run his own defense at the P4 level. He was the DC at Tulane one year and their numbers were not great. He may be someone you bring in to be co-DC and groom him to take over if you land a bigger name.


Sleeper Name

Ephraim Banda- Cleveland Browns Safeties Coach - He was the DC at Miami under Manny Diaz. He is someone that checks the future head coach box. He relates to players. He runs a system that is going to be aggressive and get after other offenses. He is someone that enjoys recruited the state of Florida.

Because my mother was from LA, I ate a lot of shrimp. Thank goodness no crawfish.

Then my dad got transferred to Maine, learned lobster.

Then Japan. Alaskan king crab flown in once a week. (Commissary)

Eventually in the NY are, went to lobster, oysters and clams.

Now I’m back in Florida and hopelessly addicted to snow crabs.

Yeah, I know I’m spoiled. 😻

Who has lived overseas?

Who has “backpacked” in foreign countries?

Has anyone grown up overseas?

How many speak a foreign language?

The Florida State football program continues to struggle on the high school recruiting front. The Seminoles have lost two commitments, QB Tramell Jones and OL Daniel Pierre Louis, to Florida in less than seven days and the challenges on the recruiting front continue to mount for HC Mike Norvell and his transitionary staff.

Max Redmon-DB

On Tuesday night, FSU defensive back commit Max Redmon announced he would be taking an official visit to Mississippi State this weekend. This is surprising for one reason. Out of the 12 commitments that FSU currently has for its 2025 recruiting class, no one single prospect has been on FSU's campus more during his recruiting process than Redmon. In fact, yesterday on our recruiting pod, just minutes before Redmon made in known that he would be taking a trip to Starkville, both Fish and I said we believed that out of the prospects committed to sign with FSU that Redmon was the least likely to decommit. Redmon has been committed to FSU since July.

Solomon Thomas-OG

Thomas remains committed to FSU as of this post. I did speak with a source familiar with his recruitment by Florida and they believe there is a chance that former FSU offensive line coach Alex Atkins could be joining the Gators staff in an analyst after the season is over. I have not been able to confirm this via second source, so for now it is more speculative than it is certain. However, the same source was the person who told me that both Tramell Jones and Daniel Pierre Louis would be flipping to Florida before it hit the rumor mill. Atkins was the lead recruiter for Thomas, so his joining the Gators staff would certainly benefit them in helping land Thomas who is also being heavily courted by both LSU and South Carolina.

Byron Louis-RB

I spoke with one of my Rivals counterparts yesterday who says that things might get interesting with Byron Louis over the last three weeks of this recruiting cycle. I spoke another source this morning that indicated he believes that Louis will take an official visit to Florida this weekend. The first source I spoke with believes that Georgia could get back involved with Louis before it is all said and done. The Bulldogs currently already have two RBs committed for this recruiting cycle so it would seem unlikely at this point that he would join the UGA class as the third running back. The source familiar with his Florida recruitment believes the Gators have a good shot at flipping Louis if they do indeed get him on campus for an OV this weekend.


Carter Smith-QB

Smith did take his official visit to Wisconsin this past weekend. The Osceola recruiting team all have FutureCast in for Smith to end up in Tallahassee and nothing has changed in that regard since his visit. In fact, Fish said yesterday on our recruiting pod that he has since Smith's visit to Wisconsin that he is still expected to end up signing with the Seminoles.

Kevin Wynn-DT

Wynn is another FSU commit to keep an eye on. There has been a lot of conversation about Wynn decommitting and flipping to South Carolina. Nick Carlisle said on our podcast yesterday that the Gamecocks are the team to look out for and he believes he will flip to the Gamecocks. One other recruiting service has also predicted the same flip. He was reportedly on the South Carolina campus last weekend for an unofficial visit.

Needs its own thread.

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We just wrapped up watching FSU's final practice availability of the week before Saturday's game vs. Charleston Southern. Here are the updates from the day's work:

• The offense started pretty well during the first 11-on-11 period, a one-minute drill. Luke Kromenhoek led a great drive down the field with limited time, getting off quick passes, scrambling decisively and doing well to consistently get the clock stopped and avoid negative plays. Behind a pair of catches by Landen Thomas, one by BJ Gibson and one by Amaree Williams (with one second left on the clock), he set the stage for Ryan Fitzgerald to make a 47-yard field goal that gave FSU's offense points out of a challenging situation.
• Outside of that nice start, however, it wasn't the best day for FSU's offense. There were moments of success like a leaping catch by Lawayne McCoy in the back corner of the end zone in 1-on-1s, a diving catch by Williams for a touchdown in goal-line work and a few deep catches from Elijah Moore on nice throws in 7-on-7 pass-skelly work. On the whole, though, the offense never really got going again after that strong start to the day's work.
• In the second 11-on-11 period, a few NFL hopefuls made some flashy plays with scouts from a handful of professional teams watching. Darrell Jackson had a "sack" on the first play of this period, Pat Payton had a great effort play to force a fumble on a screen pass on the second play of the period and then Payton batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage on the third play of the period. Byron Turner Jr. also had a "sack" later in this period of good-on-good work.
• Edwin Joseph continues to demonstrate good coverage and ball skills on a consistent basis in practice. He had a pair of pass breakups in 1-on-1s, putting himself in great position and denying the catch by knocking the ball out of the air. Kevin Knowles II had an interception on the first play of pass-skelly work and Grady Kelly added a batted pass of his own in red-zone situational work and Demarco Ward had a PBU on a pass over the middle in pass-skelly work.
• Earl Little Jr., who continues to grow more comfortable working at safety, made an impressively physical play during goal-line work. On a toss play to Lawrance Toafili, he stopped the running back, who had a head of steam charging towards the goal line, with an impressive stone-wall tackle to deny him a touchdown on the play.

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On Wednesday's edition of the Osceola's Seminole Sidelines, Curt Weiler, Bob Ferrante and Justin Hood break down the FSU men, who are 4-1 after a win on Tuesday over Hofstra. And the FSU women are 4-1 going into Friday's home game vs. Florida.

We discuss some of the postive storylines in player development, a few areas of concern and what's next for both teams.

Thanks to Seminole Sidelines' sponsors: Alumni Hall and Mowrey Law Firm.

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He wrote this:

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All of the places that were my temporary homes during my school years are no longer available, as in, all have been knocked down:

One year at Smith Hall
A year at the old ATO house, across Tennessee Street from the Business school
A year at Cash Hall, while the ATO house was being rebuilt after a fire
Back to the ATO house for my last year

FSU 79 Hofstra 61 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

FSU rebounds from the loss to the gatros and improves to 4-1 starting the season with that record for the second consecutive year. The Seminoles used its length, depth, and defense to earn the win over what is likely another strong team under Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. The former Hofstra star has led the program to multiple 20 win seasons in now his fourth season. So this was not a push over team that the 'Noles defeated. FSU never trailed in the game and had just one tie showing improvement in several areas in need of attention. Areas such as rebounding (31-27), three point shooting (9-26, 35%), and FT shooting (18-23, 78%). Coupled with its defense, FSU won the game by drawing far more fouls than Hofstra who was just 5-7 from ter stripe.

After building a 32-23 half time lead, Hofstra made a push closing the score to trail by just two points, 39-37. FSU responded with a 10-0 run with 12:46 to play. All created via a couple of steals and aggressive play on the offensive end drawing fouls. FSU controlled the game the rest of the way.

As has been mentioned, defense. Notably the usual active hands for Florida State defenders creating 20 turnovers resulting in 23 points.

Fouling has been an issue for FSU early in the season. It started out to look like that would continue in this game with Malique Ewin picking up two quick fouls making this way to the bench and a unnecessary foul by Jamir Watkins. But after that the Seminoles were very controlled despite a tight and collapsing defense much of the game.

Three players in double figures led by Watkins' 17 who was a perfect 5-5 from the line followed by Ewin with 13 most of which in the second half adding 6 boards as well, and Taylor Bol Bowen with 10.

Plays of the game: Bol Bowen staying with the ball that was nearly stolen regaining control and floating the ball in, 4-0. Boston Holt finding Ewin wide open under the rim, 8-0. Watkins fakes the three and drives along the baseline to draw the foul. AJ Swinton going high on the back door alley oop for the slam. 14-8. Bol Bowen answers Hofstra's game tying three with a wide open three, 17-14. Holt with the driving penetration kicking the ball out to Jerry Deng, 23-16. Holt again finding a lane to drive and kicking it out this time to Watkins wide open behind the arc, 35-25. Back to back baskets by Ewin with the second driving in from the left finished off with a nice spin move for the lay up. 39-33. Justin Thomas' hustle back to deflect the ball to Ewin who dribbles quickly up court delivering to Chandler Jackson open on the right plus the foul on the lay in, 45-37. Dequan Davis deflects the ball to Watkins for another open shot, 47-37. FSU defense causing a five second call on the inbound pass. The reverse slam dunk by Bol Bowen on the lob from Jackson, 71-58. Holt at the buzzer from right of the key, 76-58. Watkins with the steal driving the distance for the lay up and FSU's largest lead, 79-58. Enter the Green Vipers.


The Bad

It sure looked like here we go again when Ewin picked up his second foul with 15:26 to play. As the schedule gets tougher, FSU will need a complete game from him without spending a lot of time on the bench due to foul trouble..

Watkins forcing his offensive play early with just 4 points late in the first half. That was highlighted by Watkins taking on two defenders trying to do what I have no clue. He has the ball picked and compounds the mistake by fouling.

As improved as FSU was shooting threes, there were a ton of wide open ops that the Seminoles just did not knock down. But they are headed in the right direction.

As good as the defense played most of the game, there were too many times the defender was late on the close out. Thankfully Hofstra was not on fire from behind the arc overall (8-24, 33%). But they were 6-10 in the second half.

I thought FSU's defense collapsed around the rim when the ball got inside could have been better. Hofstra managed 26 points in the paint (FSU had 34) resulting in shooting 48% from the floor.


The Ugly

Ewin having the ball taken right out of hands by Silas Sunday.

Immediately, I mean the very next play, after the FSU defense caused a five second call, the 'Noles picked up one themselves.

Tough seeing those empty seats on TV. I know I have mentioned it before, but really that is so distracting to see that many unoccupied seats. I could count the number of people behind BOTH benches.

Believe me I would have preferred to watch the game live rather play that God awful gig I played last night. I don't often say that because its work, But it was miserable what with a PA speaker right behind my head and a singer that could not sing in tune all evening. Think multiple pieces of chalk on multiple blackboards at the same time. It was that painful.


Up Next

FSU travels to Uncasville, Ct. to take on Temple. Tip is at 5 PM on Friday, Nov 22nd. It will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Owls are 3-1 with their last game a 72-69 loss to Boston College. Temple is led in scoring by Jamal Mashburn Jr (23.5 ppg). Yes, he is the son of former Kentucky and NBA player Jamal Mashburn.

FSU AD Michael Alford said during tonight's Seminole Boosters virtual town hall that he has a ton of confidence that Mike Norvell will be able to quickly right the FSU football ship.

"We're going to be getting this program back steered in the right way and it's going to happen very quickly."

Mallory has told me that they are in the preliminary process of setting up an official visit to Florida State for one of the final two weekends.

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