Here is a highlight from Tramell Jones and Mandarin's game vs. Orange Park which they won easily. Will add more as I find them.

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Six days from kickoff, we finally have an official FSU depth chart. FSU shared its depth chart for the Week 0 opener vs. Georgia Tech Sunday afternoon shortly before Mike Norvell's press conference.

Trying to understand the new playoff. Acc champ is auto in. So for ACC championship is it the highest 2 teams by conference record or overall record? Because if it’s conf record, you could in theory end up like an 11-5 national champion? 2 conf losses, 3 non conf losses? Thats wild. Would it not be smart to just sit your starters for non conf games? What’s the incentive? We’re gonna see the water boy at qb against Notre Dame.

FSU opens the regular season on Thursday at USF. Thanks to Osceola intern Justin Hood for covering yesterday's interviews and writing on the Seminoles:

“I think we’re a pretty athletic team and I’d like to think we’re a pretty deep team,” Pensky said. "We’re pretty good on the attacking end, but we need to shore some things up from a set-piece standpoint.”

More here:

If you aren't in Dublin, Glory Days Grill will be the place to watch the Florida State vs Georgia Tech game with fellow Seminoles next Saturday.
Dozens of high definition televisions, great food and beverage, drink special, prizes and a crowd of Seminoles to enjoy the big game with!

Game Watching Party

'Substantial doubt' over company of Miami booster John Ruiz'

John Ruiz, once dubbed "Miami's NIL king" by ESPN, is struggling to keep his castle intact.

Miami's mega-booster, who has spent millions on NIL deals for Hurricanes athletes in recent years, told investors this week that there is "substantial doubt" that his company, LifeWallet, will stay in business, according to an SEC filing.

Things could get very interesting in Coral Gables.

We had the great fortune of watching 16 of FSU's 20 preseason camp practices in their entirety. It gave us a good idea of the state of the team and let us see the players who look ready to take the next step.

Here are 16 players who improved in our estimation over the 16 practices we got to watch.

You see words like "pitch" and "scrum" used in the media release to let us know where the Florida State Practice will be held "on the "Practice Pitch @ Aviva Stadium" and notifying us that Coach Norvell will have a "scrum" with the media following practice in the Media Centre of Aviva Stadium. Sounds more aggressive than "interviews" doesn't it.

I saw the headline on my home page. Has anyone else seen or heard this? If this is correct or even close, I can see why we wouldn't match it.

Should look something like this:

QB DJ U. // Glenn or Krom
RB Toafili // Williams or Davis
Slot HB Douglas // Lucas
TE Thomas // Morlock
FL Williams // Brown
SE Benson // Hill
LT Byers // Washington
LG Ferguson or Jones
C Estes or Otto
RG Armella // Leonard
RT Early or Simmons

DE Jones Jr. // Lolohea
DT Farmer // Durojaiye
DT D Jackson // Kelley
DE Payton // Green Jr.
LB Riley // Parrish
LB Lundy // Murphy
CB Thomas // Lester
FS Hussey // Jones
SS S Brown // D. Brown
CB Cypress // Rawls
NB Little Jr. // Knowles

KR Williams & J. Brown or Benson
PR J. Brown or Benson

K Fitzgerald
P Mastromanno


Tell me that team isn't as talented as any in the country. Need to move on from a lot of guys, as usual (although we never do), and let our young uber talented high $$$ players figure it out on the field, instead of holding them back, while lesser talented guys make it more difficult for the collective team. At the end of the day this is football and if you guys aren't smart enough to run your scheme, simplify the scheme. All about having the biggest, fastest, strongest guys on the field.

^We make the playoffs, out talent every team in the ACC in a landslide, and are one of the most electric teams in the country, if that is our depth chart, no question about it.

I've booked my flights to go to the Emerald Isle flying out on the 18th.
I've booked my rooms in Dublin for the 22nd through 24th, and flying back on the 25th. But not sure what I'm going to do on the 19th, 20th and 21st.
Thinking about taking the train west to Galway or to the southwest and want to get some of your ideas and expertise. I'm looking for a sampling of the countryside, seashore, and pubs. Want to indulge in Irish food, drink and comraderie. Wife says no golf which is fine as time is limited on this "sampler" journey.

Looking forward to your suggestions as I want to decide so I can tie up the loose ends with reservations.

As FSU put a bow on its preseason camp, a veteran defensive player was given the honor of breaking the rock. Redshirt junior safety Shyheim Brown was selected by FSU director of strength and conditioning to break the rock Friday.

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Brown has been one of several defensive backs who has impressed throughout FSU's preseason camp, anchoring a unit that may be the best position group on the 2024 FSU roster. He's also the vocal leader of the defense on a side of the ball that consists more of players who lead by example.

Here are some highlights from CJ Wiley's senior season opener on Friday night. Milton beat Buford 13-10.

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You thought planning your international trip was difficult? Imagine the challenges FSU football faced with passports for 120 players plus staff and some 20,000 pounds of equipment as the Noles will take their locker room, training room and all the coaches' video equipment to the Emerald Isle. Here's a lot of the details the Seminoles' staff have covered in an effort to make this ACC contest seem like just another away trip, only with a longer plane ride.

The Logistics of FSU travel to Ireland'

2026 OL Zykie Helton who plays for Carrollton HS in Georgia is playing on ESPN2 tonight. He plays left tackle and his number 52. He has lost close to 60 pounds since his last season, is now around 260. Really athletic, has great feet. Originally committed to Alabama, opened his recruitment back up in March.

2026 safety Zelus Hicks and 2026 WR Ryan Mosley who also have FSU offers play from Carrollton.

FSU sports information:

The defending ACC Co-Champions will take the court for the first time in 2024 as they will host the Garnet and Gold Scrimmage on Friday evening at 6 p.m. inside of Tully Gym. Admission is free for the scrimmage.

Coming off its first ACC Championship since 2012, Head Coach Chris Poole returns a lot of experience as well as adding some key new freshmen and transfers this season. Two of the top players from 2023's squad are back for the Seminoles including 2023 ACC Co-Player of the Year Audrey Koenig. Koenig became just the fourth player in school history to claim the ACC Player of the Year award and the first Seminole to win the award since Payton Caffrey in 2018. Koenig had a phenomenal year for the Seminoles as she led the team with 374 kills while hitting .300. Koenig was also great defensively as she was second on the team with 306 digs. Koenig recorded 13 double-doubles last season which was the 13th-most ever in program history. Koenig was also named to the AVCA All-America Honorable Mention.

Khori Louis also returns for the Seminoles after her best season as a Seminole in 2023. Louis earned First Team All-ACC honors and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention after she recorded 271 kills and 93 blocks for the Seminoles. Louis was very efficient in her attack last season as she hit .432 which ranked fourth in the country and was fifth-best percentage in school history and the best percentage since Sareea Freeman in 2012.

The Seminoles made one of the top transfer splashes in the offseason as they landed 2023 AVCA Third Team All-American Taylor Head from Arkansas. Head put down 494 kills for the Razorbacks in 2023 to help them reach the Elite Eight. Head's 494 kills was a top 20 mark in the country and was the second-most kills in the SEC. Head was one of the top all-around players in the country as she recorded 22 double-doubles which ranked third in the country. Head ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in total kills, kills per set, total attacks, attacks per set, double-doubles, points and total digs.

Head was not the only big-time transfer Chris Poole landed this offseason as Kelsey Perry (Iowa State), Iane Henke (Cal State LA) and Loren Robertson (Memphis) will all be in Garnet and Gold this fall. Perry redshirted last season at Iowa State after a very productive freshman season for the Cyclones. Perry made 18 starts for the Cyclones and ranked second on the team with 92 total blocks in 2022.

Henke was one of the top players in Division II for Cal State LA who won its first-ever National Championship in 2023. Henke earned First Team All-CCAA honors as well as AVCA All-America Honorable Mention. Henke led the team with a career-high 21 kills in the National Championship game and finished 2023 with 407 kills and 405 digs. Henke was also named the National Freshman of the Year in 2022.

Robertson brings a ton of experience from Memphis as she played in 78 matches over four seasons for the Tigers. As a setter, Robertson recorded 1,650 assists to go along with 554 digs for Memphis.

The Seminoles also brought in freshman libero Caylan Russ and freshman middle blocker Johanna Sova who will both add great depth for the Seminoles.

FSU also returns sophomores Kenna Phelan, Kyleene Filimaua, Maddie Snider and Ella Gaona who all played in 25 or more matches in the 2023 season.

FSU will begin the regular season with the Seminole Invitational as they will face USF, UC Santa Barbara and Georgia on Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Tully Gym.

FSU sports information:

Florida State’s Lottie Woad, who is currently the No. 1 ranked golfer in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, has been awarded the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the World’s Leading Amateur Female Golfer. Since 2011, the award is given to the player leading the women's ranking after The Women's Amateur, the U.S. Women's Amateur or the European Ladies' Amateur, whichever event is held later in the year.

Woad receives exemptions in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2025 AIG Women’s Open as the first female winner of the McCormack Medal from England.

“I’m really happy to have won the McCormack Medal,” said Woad as she continued her preparations for the AIG Women’s Open (Aug. 22-25). “It was always a goal of mine to reach number one and become the world’s leading amateur golfer. It’s taken a while to get there, but it’s nice to see all the hard work pay off and to achieve this milestone.”

Woad first ascended to the No. 1 spot in the WAGR on June 12, 2024. She held the top spot for the next five consecutive weeks. After falling from the No. 1 spot on July 17, 2024, she moved back to the top of the rankings on July 31, 2024 and has held the spot the last three consecutive weeks.

“Being named as the winner of the McCormack Medal winner rounds off a successful year for me,” said Woad.

In addition to the AIG Women’s Open, Woad will play in the Curtis Cup as a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team at Sunningdale Golf Club in England before returning to Florida State to begin her junior year. Woad and the Seminoles open their season at the Folds of Honor Intercollegiate in Grand Haven, Mich. (Sept. 9-11).

Woad won the 2024 Augusta National Amateur Champion and was named the ACC Golfer of the Year in 2024. She earned All-American First team honors by the WGCA and Golfweek in 2024 and All-American First-Team honors by the WGCA and All-American Second-Team Honors as named by Golfweek in 2023.

She begins her junior season as Florida State ranked second in school history with a 70.61 career stroke average.

"The list of past McCormack Medal winners reads like a who's who of today’s top professional talent, underscoring the immense dedication and passion required to achieve the world’s No. 1 amateur ranking," said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. "Lottie's achievement is a powerful testament to her relentless effort and determination. On behalf of everyone at the USGA, we extend our heartfelt congratulations for earning this remarkable honor."

The McCormack medal is presented annually by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the USGA. The medal is named after Mark H. McCormack, who founded sports marketing company IMG and was a great supporter of amateur golf.

Mark H. McCormack Medal
2024, Lottie Woad, Florida State
2023, Ingrid Lindblad, LSU
2022, Rose Zhang, Stanford
2021, Rose Zhang, Stanford
2020, Rose Zhang, Stanford
2019, Andrea Lee, Stanford
2018, Jennifer Kupcho, Wake Forest
2017, Leona McGuire, Duke
2016, Leona McGuire, Duke
2015, Loena McGuire, Duke
2014, Minjee Lee
2013, Lydia Ko, Korea University
2012, Lydia Ko, Korea University
2011, Lydia Ko, Korea University

FSU sports information:

The No. 1 Florida State soccer team is set to appear on national television six times during the 2024 regular season, pushing its six-year total of national TV appearances to 62. FSU made eight nationally televised appearances last season and was unbeaten in the spotlight.

Florida State will open the ACC Network fall season on Aug. 22, when Rice comes to the Seminole Soccer Complex. The Seminoles will make four appearances on ACC Network as they visit new conference opponent SMU on Sept. 22; and host College Cup semifinalists Clemson in an ACC Championship rematch on Sept. 26. FSU will close out the regular season on the ACC Network in a rivalry matchup against Miami in Coral Gables on Halloween night.

The Seminoles will also appear on SEC Network when they travel to Gainesville to face Florida on Sept. 8. Florida State will make its first appearance on ESPNU since claiming its fourth national championship when Virginia comes to Tallahassee on Thursday, Oct. 17.

The remainder of Florida State’s home games will appear on ACC Network Extra in addition to all conference road matches not on national television.

The Seminoles maintained a 16-game unbeaten streak on opening day as they claimed a 5-0 road victory over South Florida on Thursday. FSU will host its home opener against North Florida on Sunday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

Andre' Otto wasn't one of the more highly-touted members of FSU's 2023 signing class. And yet, entering his second season at FSU, he's played his way into the rotational mix on the FSU OL with an impressive willpower to better himself at all costs.

Looks like a lot of media access to practices has been shut down. The game plan and starting lineups are being installed and gameday continues to creep closer. Put a smile on your face Noles. . .It's almost here.

I have two tickets in Upper East Tier, Block 503, Row FF, Seats 11 and 12. You are sitting in a RABID FSU section. I can get you the tickets or meet you in Dublin. Zelle preferred. Make BEST offer.

FSU sports information:

The Florida State cross country teams will race in eight meets this fall, including three at Apalachee Regional Park.

“I’m really excited for the new season this year,” FSU head coach Matt Kane said. “I think we’ve got a great combination of running locally and then also heading up to Wisconsin a few times to check out the national course. I think it’s going to give the athletes a great opportunity to kind of prove themselves and get themselves in the fire a little bit and test themselves against some of the best athletes in the country.”

The Seminoles will start the year traveling to Orlando, Florida for the UCF Invitational on Aug 30, before kicking off the home slate on Sept 6. at the Hoka Nights of Thunder Fest hosted by Hoka.

FSU will split the squad for the Nuttycombe Invite on Sept. 27 In Madison, Wisconsin while some members will compete at the FSU-Pre-Regional meet. The Seminoles will remain home for the annual FSU XC Invite on Oct. 11. Florida State will return up north for the Wisconsin Pre-National meet on Oct.19 at the Zimmer Championship Course to close out the regular season.

The ACC Championship will be hosted by NC State on Nov. 1 in Cary, N.C. The Noles will host the NCAA South Region Championships on Nov. 15, looking to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Wisconsin on Nov. 23.

“I think one of the really unique things that I’m most excited about is the fact that we’re hosting the regional championship,” Kane added. “Qualifying for the national championship runs through Tallahassee.”

2024 CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 - UCF Invite at Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 6 - Hoka Nights of Thunder at Tallahassee, Fla.
Sept. 27 - Nuttycombe Invite at Madison, Wisc.
Sept. 27 - FSU Pre-Regional at Tallahassee, Fla.
Oct. 11 - FSU XC Invite at Tallahassee, Fla.
Oct. 19 - Wisconsin Pre-National at Madison, Wisc.
Nov. 1 - ACC Championships at Cary, N.C.
Nov. 15 - NCAA South Region Championships at Tallahassee, Fla.
Nov. 23 - NCAA Championships at Madison, Wisc.

So apparently our WR corp had their best day of camp today. Once again, Everyone was mentioned except our big time 5 star WR Hykeem Williams. From the tea leaves, can we assume he won’t be playing next Saturday for some reason? Man that’s a bummer. I think we were all expecting a huge breakout year from Hykeem.

Holy cow. That cannot just be a coincidence. I’m sure everybody has seen him defending FSU and basically speaking out against finebum. Now he is fired, espn says to cut costs. . . But they are still paying him two years left on his contract.

I guess if you don’t speak the company line, they just send you to the guillotine.