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Basketball Scottie Barnes to miss three weeks with orbital fracture

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes will miss at least three weeks after he suffered a right orbital fracture during a game, the team announced Wednesday. Barnes was forced to leave Monday's loss to the Denver Nuggets in the final minute of the fourth quarter after he was elbowed in the right eye by Nikola Jokic.

FSU volleyball hosts Cal, Stanford this weekend

FSU sports information:

The No. 23 Florida State volleyball team (15-5, 7-3) will host the newest members of the ACC this weekend as Cal (10-12, 2-8) and No. 5 Stanford (16-3, 8-2) come to Tully Gym. Friday's match is set for 6:30 p.m. on ACCNX while Sunday's match will be nationally televised by ESPN with first serve at 1 p.m.

Noles Welcome New ACC Members Stanford and Cal to Tully Gym

  • Florida State will welcome two of the newest members of the ACC in Cal and Stanford this weekend.
  • FSU and Cal will meet for the first time since 1998 and will meet in Tallahassee for just the second time and the first time since 1989.
  • FSU and Stanford will meet for just the second time as the two teams met in the Sweet Sixteen in 2016.
  • A win over Stanford would mark FSU's highest ranked win at home and would be the second-highest ranked win in school history. FSU defeated No. 3 Minnesota at a neutral site on Aug. 31, 2019.

Noles Honoring Seminole Heritage on Sunday

  • Florida State will be honoring its Seminole Heritage on Sunday against Stanford. The Noles will be wearing turquoise warmups.
  • The color Turquoise represents harmony, friendship and fellowship throughout Native American communities and is used in tribute to Florida State University's special friendship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
  • To learn more about Seminole Heritage, go to https://seminoles.com/feature/honoring-seminole-heritage.

Louis Approaching 1,000 Kills

  • Khori Louis is approaching the 1,000 career kills in the Garnet and Gold uniform. Louis needs just 23 kills to reach 1,000 career kills.
  • Louis is looking to become just the seventh Nole to reach 1,000 career kills in the rally scoring era.
  • Louis will be just the second middle blocker in program history to reach 1,000 kills in the rally scoring era. Brianna Barry was the other middle blocker to reach 1,000 career kills.

Noles Start on the Right Foot in ACC Play....Again

  • FSU has consistently started off ACC play in the win column in the last decade.
  • Excluding the 2021 spring season where there were no non-conference matches, FSU has won its last 10 ACC openers.
  • FSU has started 2-0 in the ACC in eight out of the last 10 seasons.
  • FSU has never finished worse than 5th in the ACC under Head Coach Chris Poole.

Noles Get Off to Hot Start

  • FSU is off to its best start since 2016.
  • FSU has picked up three ranked wins this season already with wins over No. 25 Georgia and No. 25 Miami. This was the first time since 2014 that FSU has had multiple ranked wins before Oct. 1.
  • FSU started 4-0 for the first time since 2017 including a win over No. 25 Georgia for their first ranked non-conference win since 2021.
  • FSU opened up the season at home for the first time since 2011 and went 3-0 against USF, UC Santa Barbara and No. 25 Georgia.

Not Slowing Down on Offense

  • FSU has proven to be one of the top offenses in the ACC and the country so far this season.
  • As a team, FSU ranks 16th in the country and third in the ACC with a .276 hitting percentage and also ranks 46th in the country and fifth in the ACC with 13.49 kills per set.
  • The Seminoles have been spreading the wealth as they have three players who have recorded 190 or more kills this season and six players who have recorded 75 or more kills this season.

Climbing the Ranks

  • FSU was ranked No. 23 in this week's AVCA/TARAFLEX Coaches Poll. The Noles were ranked 15th in week one which was the program's highest ranking since 2017.
  • FSU has been ranked in the AVCA Coaches Poll for 12 consecutive weeks which is the program's longest streak since when the Seminoles were ranked in every poll from Aug. 30, 2011, to Sept. 17, 2017.
  • FSU opened the season ranked 20th in the preseason poll. It was the first time FSU was ranked to start the season since 2017.
  • FSU picked up a ranked win against No. 25 Georgia. It was FSU's 41st ranked win in program history and was the first time FSU beat a ranked non conference opponent since defeating No. 14 Florida in 2021.
  • FSU has picked up three ranked wins this season already with wins over No. 25 Georgia and No. 25 Miami. This is the first time since 2014 that FSU has had multiple ranked wins before Oct. 1.

Koenig Saving Her Best Season for Last

  • The reigning 2023 ACC Co-Player of the Year Audrey Koenig is back for one last season with the Seminoles and will look to solidify herself as one of the top players in FSU history.
  • Koenig was just the fourth Seminole to win the ACC Player of the Year award and was the first Nole to accomplish the feat since Payton Caffrey in 2018.
  • Koenig leads the team with 267 kills in 19 matches and is third on the team with 173 digs.
  • Koenig has tallied 156 kills in ACC play which leads the conference. Koenig's serve has also come on strong in ACC play as she has recorded 19 aces in ACC play which is tied for fourth in the ACC.
  • Koenig has recorded 10 or more kills in her last 17 matches which is the longest streak of her career.
  • Koenig was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30 after tallying 36 kills in two wins over Miami.
  • Koenig also earned 2023 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors for the first time in her career.
  • Koenig's 13 double-doubles last season were the 13th-most in FSU history. Koenig is up to seven double doubles this season.
  • Koenig has recorded 1,224 kills during her career with the Garnet and Gold. Koenig became just the sixth player in FSU history to surpass 1,000 career kills in the rally scoring era. Her 1,224 kills is the second-best mark in school history in the rally scoring era.

Louis Continuing to Stay Hot for the Noles

  • FSU senior and Tallahassee native Khori Louis put together her best season as a Seminole in 2023 as she earned First Team All-ACC honors and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention for the first time in her career.
  • Louis hit a career-high .432 in 2023 which ranked fourth in the nation and was the fifth-best mark in school history and the best mark since Sareea Freeman in 2012.
  • Louis has picked up right where she left off as she is hitting .428 with 220 kills which is second to Koenig's 267 kills. Louis also leads the team with 97 blocks.
  • Louis's .428 hitting percentage ranks 10th in the entire country and is first in the ACC.
  • Louis holds a career hitting percentage of .379 which is currently the best mark in FSU history. The previous record is .371 which is held by Brianna Barry.
  • Louis was second on the team with 271 kills and 93 blocks in 2023.
  • In her career, Louis has recorded 977 kills which is 8th in program history in the rally scoring era. She needs just 61 kills to move into 7th all-time in the rally scoring era.
  • Louis also ranks top 15 in program history in the rally scoring era in solo blocks, assisted blocks and total blocks.

Taylor Head Heating Up for the Noles

  • The Seminoles made one of the biggest transfer moves in college volleyball last season as they picked up transfer Taylor Head from Arkansas.
  • Head was one of the best hitters not only in the SEC but the entire country last season as she picked up AVCA Third Team All-America honors after recording 494 kills with a .231 hitting percentage for a Razorback team that qualified for the Elite Eight.
  • Head leads the team with 218 digs and is third on the team with 192 kills.
  • Head has played very well in her last six matches as she has recorded five double doubles in her last six matches.
  • Head was one of the best all-around players in the country last season as she was third in the entire nation with 22 double-doubles.
  • 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.
  • Last season, Head would've led the ACC in total kills, points, double doubles and total attacks. Head also would've ranked in the top five in kills per set, attacks per set and points per set.
  • Head spent her spring with the Florida State beach volleyball team where she finished the season with a 8-2 record.

Dupes is Back and Making an Impact

  • After a knee injury kept her off the court in 2023, libero Emery Dupes is ready to become a force for the Seminoles' defense once again.
  • Dupes has played in 74 out of the 75 sets this season with 86 digs.
  • Prior to injury, Dupes led the team with 287 digs in 2022 while playing in 94 sets.
  • As a freshman, Dupes earned All-ACC honors and became the first freshman libero in FSU history to earn All-ACC honors.
  • Broke the school freshman record with 3.88 digs per set and was also just the 12th player in FSU history to record over 400 digs.
  • Dupes has also been terrific behind the service line recording 66 aces in three seasons. In 2021, Dupes recorded six service aces in a single match which is tied for the third-most ever by a Seminole in a single match.

Perry Becoming a Force in the Middle for the Noles

  • After redshirting at Iowa State last season, Perry has become a force in the middle for the Seminoles.
  • Perry is currently second on the team with 73 blocks and 1.11 blocks per set.
  • Perry had a season-high five kills in the win at Boston College on Oct. 18.
  • Perry had seven total blocks against No. 25 Georgia which was just one block off her career high.
  • Perry also has recorded 47 kills on 109 attempts.

Filimaua: A True Swiss Army Knife

  • Kyleene Filimaua is a true do-it-all for Florida State volleyball.
  • Filimaua has played in 72 out of the 75 sets for the Noles and has played all over the court including starting at libero in eight out of her last nine matches.
  • Filimaua has recorded 81 kills this season and has recorded four double-digit kill matches after recording just one double-digit kill match last year.
  • To go along with her 81 kills this season, Filimaua has also recorded 191 digs, 51 assists, 20 aces and 15 blocks.

Phelan Becoming a Force on the Service Line and on Defense

  • Kenna Phelan has shown off her nasty serve this season, and it became a game-changer for FSU.
  • In 10 sets on opening weekend, Phelan recorded 10 aces from the service line. Her 10 aces were the eighth-most in the entire country on opening weekend.
  • Phelan has recorded 26 service aces in 20 matches so far this season.
  • Phelan recorded 19 digs against Auburn and 15 digs against North Florida. It was the first time in her career that Phelan has had back-to-back matches with 10 or more digs.
  • Phelan has also been great as a setter in FSU's 6-2 system as she has recorded 369 assists.

Henke Off to Strong Start for the Garnet and Gold

  • After missing opening weekend, Iane Henke has come right in and been a very valuable asset for the Seminoles.
  • In her debut, Henke tallied 10 kills and six blocks against Cal Poly.
  • Henke recorded a season-high 11 kills at Boston College on Oct. 18.
  • In total, Henke has had 99 kills, 43 digs, 49 blocks and five aces in 17 matches for the Noles.
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Football ACC schedule for Saturday (Nov. 2)

Saturday, Nov. 2, Noon ET
Duke at #5 Miami
Series:
Miami leads series, 15-5
Last meeting: Duke, 45-21 (2022)
ABC: Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), Katie George (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

Saturday, Nov. 2, Noon ET
Stanford at NC State
Series:
First-Ever Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 113 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 380
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 970

Saturday, Nov. 2, Noon ET
Virginia Tech at Syracuse
Series:
Syracuse leads series, 11-9
Last meeting: Virginia Tech, 38-10 (2023)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Treavor Scales (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 121 / SiriusXM 201 / SiriusXM 381
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 963 / SiriusXM 971

Saturday, Nov. 2, 3:30 p.m. ET
North Carolina at Florida State
Series:
Florida State leads series, 17-3-1
Last meeting: Florida State, 35-25 (2021)
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. ET
Louisville at #11 Clemson
Series: Clemson leads series, 8-0
Last meeting: Clemson, 31-16 (2022)
ESPN:
Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 82 / SiriusXM 390
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 82 / SiriusXM 980

Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m. ET
#18 Pitt at #20 SMU
Series:
SMU leads series, 3-2-1
Last meeting: SMU, 28-6 (2012 BBVA Compass Bowl)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

Football Recruiting Kevin Wynn to visit South Carolina this weekend

It may not come as a surprise considering that the South Carolina coaching staff visited Wynn for his game last Friday, but Wynn will be visiting South Carolina this weekend for the Texas A&M game. This will be his fourth visit to a different program in the last month, as he has visited Georgia, USC, Texas, and now South Carolina.

Reported last week that he is feeling 'a little confused' and that he is likely taking as many visits as he can to make sure he made the right decision with his recruitment. It's a been a bit unpredictable when/if a decommitment may come (since it's seemed like constant pressure since around the Boston College game). I do think that Loftin will be the next to leave the class (possibly this weekend) with him setting a visit to Nebraska but I would not be surprised to see Wynn be close behind with him continuing to take visits elsewhere and him not showing back up for the first home game in a while trends negatively.

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Football Mike Norvell takes daily approach to FSU's roster retention, recruiting

With no bowl game to prepare for, December’s focus will be on three areas:

— Roster retention, with Norvell and the staff evaluating which players are not just returning but those they want back for 2025.

— High school recruiting, which has lagged this fall as losses have mounted. The Seminoles have just 11 commitments and just over a month left to host prospects before the calendar goes dead on Dec. 1, the day after the Florida game. Then it’s a three-day signing window beginning on Dec. 4.

— Transfer portal, which undoubtedly will be a revolving door, and opens up on Dec. 9 after the conclusion of the conference championship games but before bowl games.

The Osceola previously evaluated FSU’s offensive roster and defensive roster, outlining an argument for transfer needs at each position. In this story, we’ll briefly look at Norvell’s recent comments on roster retention and high school recruiting.

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Golf No. 12 FSU men battle No. 2 Auburn, fall at East Lake

FSU sports information:

The No. 12 Florida State men’s golf team fell to No. 2 Auburn in a close 3-1 battle in the semifinals of the East Lake Cup on Tuesday at the East Lake Club.

“That was a great match between two very good golf teams,” FSU head coach Trey Jones said. “We gained some valuable experience for our players that will help us when it counts late in the season.”

A rematch of the 2024 NCAA National Championship, the Seminoles and Tigers battled to the wire. The Tigers put the first two points on the board after Patrick McCann fell in his match 5&4 and Jack Bigham dropped his 3&1.

The third match pitted the top two amateurs in the world against each other. The No. 1 player, Luke Clanton carded an eagle on the first hole to take the early lead. Up one, the two birdied holes six and seven before Clanton went up two behind his third birdie in a row.

The back-and-forth contest continued on the back nine, but Clanton put No. 2 Jackson Koivun away after sinking a putt for birdie on the 16th hole. Clanton put the Seminoles on the board, trailing 2-1 behind a 3&2 victory.

“I think this one was definitely the biggest match I've had yet,” Clanton said. “Me and Jackson have had one heck of a year and a half I guess you could say. It's been awesome competing against him, and to finally play against him in match play was awesome. I think match play goes either way, especially as the top two players in the world. It was awesome, but it meant a lot.”

Carson Brewer put the pressure on, pulling within one on the 16th hole after making par after his opponent bogied. However, the Tigers put away the match after Brewer was just shy of a birdie putt on 17.

Tyler Weaver was up one with two to play whenever the match was called.

The Seminoles will face Ohio State in the consolation match on Wednesday, starting at 10:50 a.m.

Coverage will air on the Golf Channel at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Live scoring will be available.

East Lake Cup Individual Scores

T4. Luke Clanton – 69

T4. Tyler Weaver – 69

T4. Patrick McCann – 69

T13. Jack Bigham – 74

T15. Carson Brewer – 75

Team Scores

No. 11 Georgia Tech – 8

No. 12 Florida State - 7

No. 2 Auburn - 7

Ohio State +2

Auburn Won 3-1

Ryan Eshleman (Auburn) def. Patrick McCann (FSU) 5&4
Brendan Valdes (Auburn) def. Jack Bigham (FSU) 3&1
Luke Clanton (FSU) def. Jackson Koivun (Auburn) 3&2
Josiah Gilbert (Auburn) def. Carson Brewer (FSU) 2&1
Tyler Weaver (FSU) Up 1 with two to play over Carson Bacha (Auburn)

Football Observations from FSU's Tuesday practice of North Carolina week

The Florida State football team was back at work on the practice field Tuesday morning.

The Seminoles held their first of two open practices to the media this week during the morning. Here are the Osceola staff observations from Tuesday's practice:

  • I thought the quarterback play was fine at Tuesday's practice. Not incredibly consistent, but some impressive moments. Brock Glenn broke off a long scramble during the first team period and had a great deep ball down the sideline to Darion Williamson in the final good-on-good team period. Luke Kromenhoek had an exceptional deep ball to BJ Gibson in 1-on-1s and a few nice throws in 7-on-7 as well. Gibson seems to be good for at least one really nice catch a day in practice. He won a few 1-on-1 reps with some clean route-running Tuesday.
  • Trever Jackson, who has largely been with the scout team this season, got a few opportunities running with the actual offense on Tuesday. He made a few plays given this opportunity, throwing a nice sideline pass to Elijah Moore, who made a great catch above his head, in 11-on-11 and then ending the practice with a great 50 (or so) yard downfield pass against the scout-team defense. It's always a bit up and down with Jackson which isn't a surprise considering he's a true freshman and a preferred walk-on. But the ups were quite nice Tuesday morning.
  • Sam Singleton Jr., one of the breakthrough players on FSU's offense this season, had a nice run in 11-on-11 right up the gut and another off the edge that was sprung by a great edge-setting block from redshirt freshman left tackle Lucas Simmons. Simmons got in at the very end of the Miami game. Could he get a bit more playing time down the stretch as an audition of sorts to be FSU's left tackle in 2025?
  • Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. built off his breakthrough two-sack performance vs. Miami with some nice plays at Tuesday's practice. Most notably, he did well to batted down a pass at the line during the middle 11-on-11 period.
  • In the secondary, redshirt freshman Ja'Bril Rawls made a few nice plays Tuesday. He had an interception during the middle 11-on-11 period and then had an exceptional pass breakup in 1-on-1s where he extended his hand at the perfect moment to deny a catch as a trailing DB on the play. Edwin Joseph also had a great pass breakup Tuesday in 7-on-7 pass skelly, diving across the middle of the field to deny Malik Benson a catch with some quick hands.
We'll be back Wednesday morning with a practice report from the final availability before Saturday's game vs. North Carolina.

Ta'Niya Latson named to Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year watch list

FSU sports information:

Florida State junior Ta’Niya Latson was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year watch list on Tuesday. The accolade is a part of the Naismith Starting 5 awards.

Latson was among the 20 players named to the preseason watch list and one of four from the ACC. She was also included on the list last season.

On Monday the Miami, native, was among the 50 players on the watch list for the Naismith Player of the Year, along with Makayla Timpson. Latson was also ranked No. 14 on the World Exposure Report Players to Watch this season and was selected for the Preseason All-ACC Team for the second time in her career.

Latson enters her junior season with 1,354 career points, averaging 21.3 per game. She also has 101 steals, 279 rebounds over 64 games played.

A two-time WBCA All-American honorable mention and two-time All-ACC First Team selection, the 2023 National Freshman of the Year ranks 16th in Florida State history in points scored and tied as the fastest player to surpass the 1,000-point barrier.

Latson has scored at least 34 points in five career games, the most of any Seminole in program history.

The list will be cut to 10 players in January of 2025 and the final five will be announced in March.

Meyers, the namesake of the award, was the first high school player to make the United States national team and the first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship to UCLA. A supremely talented all-around player with natural basketball ability and instincts, Meyers was the first player, male or female, named to the All-America team in four straight seasons. She also played on the first women's Olympic team in 1976. After an All-America career, she became the first woman player drafted into the Women's Basketball League and made history by becoming the first female player to try out with an NBA team, the Indiana Pacers. Meyers pushed the envelope in women's basketball, bringing a feel and sense for the game that few players ever experience.

Regular season single game tickets are now on sale at the FSU Ticket office. The No. 19/19 Seminoles will open the season at 11 a.m. on Nov. 4 against North Florida following an exhibition game against West Florida on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
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Football Recruiting FSU offers another Rivals250 pass catcher committed elsewhere

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The Jax native and Gator commitment was anticipating the FSU offer before he picked UF back in June, but it didn't come despite some visits and a camp effort in town. As he has been flashing as a senior as a jumbo wideout, who has multiple three-touchdown games as a senior after notching 9 TDs as a junior.

Gelsey's father, Jamal, is a big FSU fan and has long campaigned for that offer. Now that it is in, the Gelsey camp tells Rivals a return to Tallahassee is going down, they're just not sure when. It is worth noting that the summer trips the recruit took to town were not considered an official visit, so it looks like FSU can foot the bill and try to flip the Gator pledge that way should it please.

We'll stay on this one...

Football Seminole Sidelines: FSU recruiting news, who's visiting next

On Tuesday's edition of the Osceola's Seminole Sidelines, Patrick Burnham, Charles Fishbein and Nick Carlisle discuss FSU's 2025 class now that receiver C.J. Wiley has de-committed. Who is visiting this weekend and what's next for the Seminoles? The guys also discuss FSU at 1-7 and the final month of the regular season.

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

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Armella, why is he not getting any reps.

Anybody have actual knowledge of why he never plays over a few ST snaps. Is it poor practice effort, injuries or is he just not very good? Honestly I never viewed him as a five star talent but I thought he had enough raw ability to be better than what we are seeing from the others on the field. I can’t see him or many of the younger talent who no getting a chance sticking around.

Sunday Morning QB - Brunch Version

FSU football version 2024 IS DEAD. It went into cardiac arrest after the GT game....and SMU basically pulled the plug. I watched the Duke game and Manny Diaz realized after about a quarter that unless Duke turned the football over and poop the bead that he was not losing. Mario figured it out pretty quickly. All season Mario has been super aggressive and they went for it every time when Miami was in 4th and 3. Last night Mario took the points and banked them. Once Miami got to 20+ points the game was over. Miami played their most conservative game all season. Miami was in control of that game from beginning to end.


INSANITY - is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. FSU is 1-7 and honestly since game 2-3 the results for this season looked BLEEK. As a fan you always have hope going into these games. The reality is this team is not very good. I don't think all of the blame can be put on the talent. There is TALENT on the roster. I think for this season the talent and those who have played has been wrong. I have my opinions on what went wrong - It does not make me right....

Next- My opinion - There are a few posters on here who mentioned my silence or that maybe I ignored them about talking about the team, coaches or changes that WILL BE MADE. I have seen the post but feel there is a time and place to discuss these topics. In the middle of the season while coaches are still on staff is not the appropriate time. I hope you as a poster can respect that and understands that I will discuss after the season. Anyone that knows me personally, understands I am not afraid to speak my mind. If I have an opinion on a subject, I will give you my thoughts.

Coaching Changes - They will happen. Who, when, where and why...We will find out soon enough. FSU is 1-7 and the reality is coaches are going to lose their jobs. There is no doubt in my mind that changes are coming. I won't speculate on who will be gone. Mike Norvell is the HC of this football team and he will make those decisions.

WHY? I know there are some that feel no matter what happens that Mike can't make it. That his future is cooked. I feel differently. Why, because he has had success now at two programs (Memphis/FSU). He has a proven track record of hiring good coaches (Lanning, Dillingham, Silverfeld). I want to see what happens. If a coach is let go, I will give you my opinion on the new coach and coaches I feel would be good picks IMHO. History tells me that Mike can get the job done. If you believe otherwise that is your opinion. You have the right to your opinion. I also don't believe the prior two years are FLUKES.

Coaching/Recruiting - Anyone that has followed me will tell you that I feel that Recruiting is 75-80 percent of the reason why a coach has success. I feel coaching and developing is 20 percent of the equation. Talent Acquisition is the single most important part of winning games. QB, WR1, OT, DE, DT, CB.....You have to recruit these positions at an elite level to play in the playoffs and actually win games. RB, TE, OG, LB, S....These positions don't have to be elite. You also have manage your roster. I have broken down FSU roster management and the number 1 reason FSU has struggled this year is the classes of 20, 21 and 22. FSU must recruit at a higher level.

Cam Ward/ DJ U - Mike Norvell went after Cam Ward. So many have said FSU was outbid....I think the truth lies in between. I feel that FSU and MN made a very nice run at Ward. Did Miami offer him more, YES? At the same time I think one of reasons why FSU got outbid is 1) DJ U, 2) roster construction and expectations for 2024....Reality is FSU just came off a 13-0 season, had an OL that most felt would be the strength of the team, and the roster while good had a ceiling....9 wins maybe 10. FSU had gone all in for 2023 and no matter what this year the expectations inside that building were probably not as high. So do you go and overspend for Cam? Or do you take this as a transition year, take a flyer on DJ and roll the dice to see what happens. Also remember Ward was much more valuable to Mario than Mike. Mario was in a win now situation and mike just had to maintain. It was a calculation that Mike took and the reality is it backfired. FSU could have probably rolled with Luke and Brock and had the same results.

Brock/Luke - Watching these two, I do believe you can win plenty of games with these two. I remember watching Christian Ponder at FSU summer camp and he was downright terrible. I remember watching Blake Borttles in HS. He was so bad the UCF coaches felt at worst he would be a tight end. Well both ended up 1st round picks. I am not saying Glenn or Luke will play in the NFL but I will tell you that both are better prospects at the same time. I feel either of them can have success in college.

2025 - FSU has a decision to make in 2025 - Do you roll with Luke and Brock or is a transfer QB going to have to be brought in. If Brock or Luke happen to be the guy than 6-7-8 wins is what you are looking at in 2025. Luke has talent but he is far from ready. If you do decide this is the route you are going then INVESTMENT in the OL becomes that much more important. How do you help out a young QB- RUN THE BALL - How do you run the ball - have a good OL? FSU has to go out and FIX THE OL. It needs to become priority number one.

The rest of 2024 - If you are going to watch FSU football the rest of the year do so at your own risk. Expectations are gone, now you watch the young players and find out what you got. I am all for the youth movement because those guys who you recruited and are going through this crap season will be the foundation to future success. The players who go through this will eventually become the leaders and they will put their foot down and say not on my watch. That is the difference between the portal and home grown talent. INVESTMENT - Those who are here will be the ones who put the sweat in to turn it around.

College football - If you don't believe college football has changed - Indiana is 8-0. They beat Ohio State there is a very good chance they make the playoffs. This is not basketball...think about that for a second.

Curt Cignetti - His agent is about to get this man paid....


QB
Brock/Luke - I would play both the rest of the season. You look around college football. Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Clemson, ND, Iowa State, IU. These teams all have the same thing in common, QB's with a ton of experience. Brock and Luke need experience. Nothing replaces that. I am a big Avery Johnson fan. He still has moments like last night when he fumbled on a key drive. Those mistakes seem to happen more for younger players. Brock and Luke showed enough last night that with experience down the road, a proper OL blocking and a good run game, these two will have success.

I feel that Luke is a combination between Blake Borttles and Ryan Tannehill. RT went to Texas A&M as a receiver and converted to QB. He ended up getting drafted in round one. Luke has talent. Realize those like RT, Luke had one year of playing QB in HS. He is so new to the game. It is going to take time to develop him. Luke has the work ethic to be good. After speaking with him at NSD last year with Pat, I also feel he has the mindset to play the game.


RB
No Kam - Toafili had his moments but honestly needed more carries. He needs to touch the ball more. I feel that LT is one of the few guys on this year’s team who can actually make plays.

WR
YOUTH MOVEMENT- FSU played some younger guys. I know many are down on some of these guys. I will withhold judgement on any receiver coming back until I see what moves are made this off-season. I still have hope for many of the guys who are still on the roster.

TE
The best two tight ends are Amaree and Landen. Problem is both are freshman. Have no idea how many wrong routes they have run. I have no idea how many times they have missed key blocks. This off-season will be huge in both guys development.

OL
Actually felt early on the OL held their own. There was time for the QB's to throw. There were some lanes for the backs to run through. They were not terrible last night. As FSU got more and more behind and they were put in bad spots, the OL breakdowns started to happen.

DE
Marvin - Oh Boy....He has his moments of good or really bad. Marvin needs to really work on improving his game this off-season. If he wants any shot at playing past college, he needs to work on his game. Pat Payton - Boy...He has done nothing this season. He actually has regressed in 2024.

DT
Tag you are IT - Darrell Jackson decided to show up. While Joshua Farmer, I am not sure if he actually played. I will have to go back and look. Farmer was a no show. Jackson and Farmer will be lucky to get drafted in round 6-7. These two would be making huge mistakes to come out this year. They will make more money taking NIL from FSU or some other college. Being dead serious whoever is advising these two...Tell them to stay in college.

LB
Where Fish was wrong - stealing a line from Colin Cowherd -Omar Graham was downright terrible early in the season. The past two weeks Graham has made some plays. He made a great play in the back of the end-zone knocking down that pass. He also got in on a sack. I think Graham at worst can be a solid back up. There are some parts to work with next season.

DB-FSU secondary played well last night. We have known all year that their most talented segment on defense is the secondary. They held Miami to their lowest totals of the season. I do think they secondary can be one of the better units in the ACC next year.

Final Thoughts: I get it. I get that fans are upset about this season. You spend your hard earned dollars going to games. I get your spend your time. You spend your emotions each week wanting your team to win. Maybe just maybe it is just me getting older. I use to get upset after a loss. Heck when Bobby would have an 11-1 season and that one loss was at the end of the year and FSU would not get the chance to play for a title it ruined an entire off-season for me. I have to this day not forgiven Mark Richt for the play calls against UF in 97 when FSU needed a TD to only settle for a FG. I still have not gotten over the FSU vs. OU game in 2001 where I went to the OB only to watch them score 2 points. I blamed Richt for that as well. I am not going to tell you how to feel. Get upset...get angry- let it out. I get it. I used to be that way. That being said I do believe that the way college football is now, the game has changed. That this is the new norm. 13-0 to 2-10. Yes, I believe that you will see this happen more than ever before. College football has become PRO SPORTS. In the pros you see it all the time. From Super Bowl finalist to not making the playoffs the following year. I truly believe FSU just happens to be the unfortunate FIRST to experience such a letdown. Can Mike fix it....We will see. You can be one of those who says they are done....LETS BE REAL. We have all said that before. Thing is spring football will come and you will check this site and others for updates. Fall will come and you pump your chest out and tell everyone how FSU will make a run. Losing sucks...I get it. Nothing we can do now about this season. The season ends and we will turn the page. There is not much else to say.

Soccer Dudley honored as ACC's offensive player of the week

FSU sports information:

Florida State sophomore forward Jordynn Dudley was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon, her first ACC honor since being named the 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year.

Dudley opened the highly-anticipated matchup against #4 North Carolina with a poke-in goal off a free kick to put the Seminoles ahead before closing the game out with a half volley touch before unleashing her shot into the bottom left corner. Dudley recorded her first multi-goal game of her sophomore campaign and has scored a brace in two games against a top-5 opponent, both being against North Carolina.

Dudley has scored six goals and six assists for 18 total points in nine games. Despite missing six games while claiming a bronze medal for the United States at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, she is tied for second in team points, goal, and assists.

The sophomore received several preseason accolades including named to the Preseason All-ACC Team, TopDrawerSoccer Preseason Best XI First Team, MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, and was named the No. 2 player in all of women’s college soccer according to TopDrawerSoccer in the preseason.

The Seminoles will conclude the regular season with a Thursday evening match at Miami at 6 p.m. on ACC Network to qualify for the 2024 ACC Women’s Soccer Tournament.
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