FSU falls to 1-1 (0-1 ACC). SMU QB Kevin Jennings: 26-of-36, 430 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs. Nick Reed 20-yard FG with 21 seconds left wins it. Game delayed ~105 minutes by a power outage (electrical short in main transformer affecting the west-side tower). Kickoff pushed to 9:15 p.m.; some lights never came back on.

Intro & the delay (0:30–4:45)

Burleson was at the game from ~5:30 p.m. until ~2 a.m. First FSU home game as a fan. Pregame crowd was electric and a sellout; the long delay thinned the stands later.

• Osceola’s spear ceremony almost set the field on fire.
• Coin toss happened, then teams left the field. Uncertainty whether the game would be played. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips was in FSU’s locker room.
• Lights partially restored; two midfield lights on the ESPN-booth side stayed off the entire game. Both teams agreed to play.

He compared the vibe to the 2013 Super Bowl blackout.

Defense did just enough — offense could not (4:47–15:00)

FSU forced 4 takeaways (including special teams) vs. SMU’s 1. Ashton Barker intercepted Jennings. Without the turnovers, Burleson says FSU would have been blown out.

• Defense “didn’t even look that good” outside the takeaways.
• Passing defense was poor: Jennings threw for 430 yards and SMU finished with 585 total yards.
• Pass rush was nearly nonexistent (one meaningful pressure led to an INT).
• Open receivers and blown coverages all night. Jabril Rawls called “the most overrated cornerback in college football” — constantly cooked and undisciplined (uncalled push, previous-week “suplex”).
• Tony White’s play-calling criticized: guys out of position, miscommunication, poor open-field tackling (75-yard TD, Randy Pittman Jr. running through multiple missed tackles).
• Daryl Desire was out. Mandrell “you almost forget he’s on the field” after FSU paid to keep him out of the portal.

Offense: 12-of-23 for 125 yards from Ashton Daniels, plus 16 rushes. Team rushed 45 times for 199 yards (4.4 ypc) vs. SMU’s 31 rushes for 155 (5.0). FSU 2-of-15 on third down; SMU 8-of-14.

• Deuce Robinson: 2 catches. Dropped a first-half TD (Burleson gives him a pass — good coverage).
• Entire skill group combined for only 12 receptions.
• Daniels “looked scared,” missed easy throws in stride, held the ball too long. One highlight: rolling right and finding Deuce with four Mustangs in front of him.
• Burleson: Norvell clearly does not trust Daniels, so the offense became run-heavy and conservative after takeaways (multiple 3-and-outs).
• Jet sweeps and tosses look pointless because the OL cannot block.

Ousmane Kromah was the bright spot: 22 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD (back-to-back 100-yard games). Big first-half run (called back partly by a Deuce block-in-the-back) set up a FG. “Workhorse… beast… physical.”

Daniels also had an 8-yard rushing TD and later a 39-yard TD pass to Samuel Singleton Jr. that tied the game at 24-24 with 8:17 left.

Coaching, buyout, and “fire them now” (15:00–28:00)

Burleson: this was a winnable game. SMU was sloppy and handed FSU four gifts. FSU still found a way to lose.

• Biggest roster weaknesses: QB and OL, then secondary.
• Norvell’s seat is “steaming hot.” Cited ~$51 million buyout figure (reports put it in the mid-$40Ms depending on exact date). Bye week before Alabama is the window.
• Wants Norvell and Tony White fired. Promote Ernie Sims to DC and run with an interim HC into Alabama.
• “I don’t think Mike Norvell has the locker room… he’s not a coach that can win anymore.” Same late-game issues as last year that they promised to fix.
• Jimbo Fisher was at the game. Burleson chanted “We love Jimbo” and would take him back as a recruiter/coach option.
• Other name floated in chat: Indiana OC Mike Shanahan.

Chat: “How do they buy out Norvell? Turn off the power?” Burleson laughed it off.

QB alternatives discussed: Kevin Sperry (knows the offense) or JUCO National Player of the Year Malachi Marshall. He’d rather see Marshall first.

Updated season outlook (28:30–32:00)

FSU 1-1 heading into the bye, then Alabama.

Rough remaining predictions:

• Alabama: loss
• Virginia: loss (they looked good)
• Louisville: loss
• Miami: “destroyed” (Malachi Toney coming off a record night)
• Clemson: loss
• Boston College: possible loss
• Pitt: loss
• NC State: maybe the only other FBS win
• Florida: loss (“Florida’s back”)

“We’re not winning another FBS game” besides possibly NC State. Toughest ACC slate. Championship odds moved to 125,000-1; conference +10,000.

Other notes & close (32:00–end)

• Chris Jones injured (status unclear; he returned).
• 2028 5-star edge Cameron McGee (No. 1 in the class) was in the house. Burleson questions why he’d pick FSU right now.
• Special teams: Hughes’ kick style “doesn’t work in college.”
• Fan frustration: “This place is full of greatness… and we’re just not watching greatness right now.” Still loyal for life.
• Atmosphere still elite when the crowd is there (tomahawk chop). Delay + result drained it.

Closing line: Inevitable that Norvell is fired — only question is when. Hang-in-there effort vs. a top-20 team, but execution after turnovers and third-down offense were unacceptable.

Sponsors: FanDuel, ReadyVets.

Key clip timestamps for shorts: delay/atmosphere (~1:00–4:00), Daniels/Deuce usage (~6:00–8:30), Kromah praise (~13:30), “fire Norvell + White” (~16:30–17:30 and ~26:30), third-down stat reveal (~17:50), schedule dump (~28:30).

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00–1:22 — Open

Jackson and Jacob welcome viewers. Immediate vibe: “We’re going to get cooked this weekend.” Jacob says FSU “cannot offense to save their lives.” They flag the SMU preview as the main topic and note they haven’t covered recruiting much lately.

1:22–5:00 — Recruiting: Marquis Fennell (Valdosta, GA RB)

FSU is still chasing 2027 three-star RB Marquis Fennell (transcript: Marquise Finnell), a Stanford commit out of Valdosta, Georgia.

• Already have 4-star Jayden Miles committed in the 2027 RB class.
• Jackson watched tape: shifty, finds gaps, similar style to Ousmane Kromah; can catch out of the backfield.
• Argument for flipping him: stacking RBs in an RPO-heavy offense; FSU history (Dalvin Cook, Devonta Freeman). A Stanford flip would be a win even as a 3-star.
• Jacob: appeal of FSU for RBs depends on who emerges from the Kromah / Sam Singleton committee. SMU game will tell more than Alabama (expected blowout) or Central Arkansas.

Lame-duck Norvell talk: anyone still willing to come is “cool in my book.”

5:00–7:30 — FSU–New Mexico State ratings

Week 0 vs. NMSU was the most-watched sports broadcast in CW history:

• 1.96 million average viewers
• 2.4 million peak
• Record for any CW sports telecast.

Jackson: even a Week 0 “preseason-ish” game drawing that means the FSU brand still pulls. Surprised it beat the Jordan Travis injury game in the CW era; summer drought + Week 0 timing probably helped.

7:30–9:00 — Rhett Lashlee’s underdog comment

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said he has “no idea how SMU isn’t a 7- to 10-point underdog” even though they’re favored (~2.5–3.5).

Hosts push back: SMU has 14 ACC wins in two years, made the CFP and ACC title game in Year 1 in the league. Kevin Jennings at QB. Lashlee being humble / wanting less pressure in Dallas.

9:00–11:40 — Florida coach Jon Sumrall comments on FSU

New Florida HC Jon Sumrall (transcript: John Summerall) called out FSU’s Week 0 mistakes (12 men, illegal substitution, special teams).

Jackson’s take: Florida hasn’t played a game yet. Stay in your lane. Week 0 rust is real; Norvell said it will get cleaned up week-to-week. Florida was 4-8 last year and has a brand-new coach in the rivalry. “Just wait until we play them.”

11:40–15:00 — Live scores + FanDuel

Quick look at Thursday/Friday games:

• UCF rolling Bethune-Cookman (31-0 at the time). Jackson (Orlando guy) calls UCF a Big 12 sleeper.
• UMass up big on Rutgers (shock of the night; UMass was 1-11 last year). Rutgers money line people hurting. Live ML: UMass -350.
• Wake Forest 28-0 Akron, Delaware up on Merrimack, Missouri just starting vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, delays at Buffalo/Kennesaw.

Sponsor read: FanDuel parlays, ML, O/U, player props. Gamble responsibly.

FSU–SMU line at the time: FSU +125 ML, SMU -2.5. Natty odds back to 60,000-1.

15:00–24:00 — SMU preview & score prediction

Jacob’s pick: SMU 28–20. Thinks it’s closer than the public. Home crowd at Doak can matter. FSU won’t look worse than Week 0.

Keys:

• Kevin Jennings: arguably best QB in the ACC. 2nd in SMU passing yards all-time, 4th in TDs. Experience in big games (365 vs. Miami last year, sidearm throws vs. elite rush). Healed ankle — more mobile than 2025 tape. Don’t game-plan last year’s version.
• FSU secondary has to clean up miscommunications and underneath coverage. Too many blown assignments vs. NMSU; SMU lives on third down through the air.
• Pass rush must make Jennings a hero-ball runner or he will dice them. SMU was a top passing offense last year.
• Deuce Robinson needs a big night: 7–9 catches, 100+ yards, a TD if FSU wants to stay in it.
• Ashton Daniels: flashes and zip, passes the eye test, but must play turnover-free and get the ball out faster if the OL isn’t right. Team looked tight/afraid to mess up in Week 0.
• SMU run game actually exists this year (Cal transfer RB, 1,100+ all-purpose last year) + experienced OL with preseason All-ACC pieces.
• Lashlee: SMU is bigger and faster than recent years.

Joe Klatt point they liked: teams improve more after Game 1 than any other week. Expect sharper execution, less vanilla offense (they were holding cards vs. NMSU).

This game tells you more about Alabama than Alabama itself will.

Dark possibility Jacob floats: FSU completely collapses toward 2-10. SMU has a real CFP path if Jennings stays healthy — problem is ACC respect.

24:00–29:00 — ACC vs. Big 12 ranking debate

Jacob ranks Power 4: Big Ten / SEC, then Big 12 slightly ahead of ACC (4th).

Jackson pushes back: ACC has better top-heavy recent pedigree (Miami to the title game, Clemson championships, FSU 13-0, SMU’s rise). Big 12 last year was basically Texas Tech + BYU.

They land in the middle: similar tier, well below Big Ten/SEC. Bear Bachmeier (BYU) and Texas Tech QB situation (Will Hammond / Tommy Castellanos) mentioned.

29:00–35:30 — AP Poll sleepers + JUCO QBs

Poll: Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia 1-2-3.

Sleepers they like:

• Houston (Big 12 — good QB/coach, knocked on the door last year).
• Boise State to rule the new Pac-12 / “Pac-8.”
• Ole Miss higher than people think. Trinidad Chambliss one of the best QBs in the country; motivated after Lane Kiffin left mid-playoff run. Prefer Chambliss over LSU’s Sam Leavitt as a dual-threat. Can’t wait for Ole Miss–LSU in Oxford and Ole Miss–Clemson this weekend.

Malachi Marshall parallel: JUCO National Player of the Year last year, same pipeline as Chambliss. Gus and staff have raved. Hope he develops into that kind of story. Ashton Daniels could get benched by Week 5–6 for turnovers + ineffectiveness (EJ Gabriel comparison). “There might be more changes than just quarterback.”

Reminder: last time FSU played SMU, DJ Uiagalelei was the QB. Rewatch was ugly; DJ making some throws now with the Chargers in preseason. Frustrating.

35:30–39:50 — Coach Prime / Jimbo chatter + close

Chat: fans want Deion Sanders if Colorado goes south again (3-9 last year). Former Seminole, “arguably the GOAT Seminole,” can still recruit (Julian Lewis 5-star QB). Package-deal possibility if Prime ever left Boulder. Jackson: don’t get hopes up.

Jimbo Fisher? They’d take him over the current situation but would rather have Deion. Jimbo’s A&M tenure didn’t age well; A&M made the playoff after he left.

Both hosts planning to be at Doak on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN).

Sign-off: Florida State Primetime Live presented by FanDuel.

Clip-friendly timestamps

• 0:47 — “We’re going to get cooked”
• 1:53 — Marquis Fennell tape / flip talk
• 5:17 — CW ratings record (1.96M / 2.4M peak)
• 7:33 — Lashlee “7-to-10-point underdog” quote
• 9:02 — Sumrall calling out FSU Week 0 mistakes
• 15:53 — 28–20 SMU prediction
• 16:31 — Kevin Jennings elite / don’t sleep
• 19:00 — Deuce Robinson 100-yard threshold
• 23:50 — “Completely collapses… akin to 2-and-10”
• 33:14 — Ole Miss / Trinidad Chambliss sleeper
• 34:35 — Malachi Marshall as the next Chambliss
• 36:57 — Coach Prime to FSU hypothetical

Bottom line from the show: SMU is the better, more complete team right now. FSU’s path to making it interesting is pass rush + Deuce + a cleaner, less vanilla offense. Monday night will show whether Week 0 was rust or the real product.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Intro (00:00–02:40)

• College football is back. Last show was ~2 weeks ago previewing NMSU; neither host was on the postgame live.
• Cole was in the building Saturday: “electric environment.” He’ll be there Monday for SMU. Bug going around Tallahassee.
• Gus not in attendance; plans to make a game later. Points listeners to Jackson/Jacob postgame and Florida State Primetime.

NMSU Recap – Overall Feel (02:40–05:00)

• Final: FSU 34, NMSU 17.
• Gus: Most fans disappointed. Never a three-possession game until 27-10 early in the 4th. Sloppy both sides. Two-possession lead early (10-0), then 10-7 until late first half (17-7 at half).
• Cole (in stadium): Never felt dominant. Game could have been closer (dropped trick play, etc.). “Don’t buy too much stock” — FSU was never going to lose to NMSU and was clearly experimenting.

What Impressed – Run Game (03:39–05:00, 05:07–08:19)

• 217 rushing yards, 5.6 YPC.
• Usman Kromah: 14-115.
• Sam Singleton: 96 total yards, 2 TDs. Led team in receptions and receiving yards as a running back; named ACC Receiver of the Week. Nickname “Sweet Feet.” Big, shifty, fast. Emerged after Weisner’s undisclosed injury.
• Travion Weisner: 4-34 (nearly 9 YPC) in limited work.
• Both hosts: Running game better than many expected. Singleton a pleasant surprise.

What Disappointed – OL, Tight Ends, Play-Calling (04:19–08:19, 12:23–14:50)

• Offensive line “disaster” / “flat” out of the gate, especially early. Chimdia Nwawu 61.8 PFF pass-blocking grade (lowest among OL).
• Tight ends the worst part of the performance (Cole strongly disagrees with Norvell saying he was “encouraged” by TE blocking).
  • DeZero Riles: Couldn’t block, zero targets, ran past defenders on outside runs/jet sweeps. Cole compared him to a “Zero Riles” version of Randy Pittman all offseason and now apologizes.
  • Landon Thomas: 56.6 PFF pass-blocking (lowest on team). Both hosts were high on him preseason.
• 12-personnel issues if TEs can’t block. Suggestion from chat/Renegade Report: consider extra tackle in 12 personnel if identity is run-first.
• Play-calling: Too cute. Lots of jet sweeps, motions, outside-the-tackle-box runs and RPOs that looked like old Jordan Travis stuff. Personnel (TEs, tackles, most WRs except Deuce) couldn’t get outside to block. Kromah/Singleton lack true breakaway speed for those concepts. Danzy is the one who can make them work.
• Cole: Looked like they were “trying things out.” Don’t overreact after one game vs. NMSU.

Defense & 3-3-5 Scheme (05:00–11:00, 15:13–20:30)

• Both hosts down on the 3-3-5 / Tony White defense after Year 2.
• DL generated almost no pressure. All three sacks came from linebackers (Jalen Anderson improved late, Makai Bayer graded well as a non-starter + sack, Ryland Kennedy good, Chris Jones impressive).
• Secondary looked lost/slow (Jabril Rawls specifically called out on a deep ball/TD). Safeties and corners beaten over the middle and in front.
• NMSU QB Trey Hendon (dead last in most FBS passing stats last year) on 3rd down: 10-of-13, 158 yards, 2 TDs. Other downs: 16-of-29, 114 yards, 1 INT. Couldn’t get off the field.
• Tony White history: Pressure/sacks/TFLs almost always come from LBs and safeties, not the DL. FSU DL (Daryl Douse mentioned as looking terrible) not good enough to rush three and drop everyone.
• White confirmed this was the “normal” defense, not a vanilla NMSU game plan.
• One forced turnover on the first drive (poor throw, not a great jump ball).

Ashton Daniels (21:00–26:00)

• Gus (also covers Auburn): Step up from his terrible Kentucky game last year, but not impressive vs. NMSU. Flashes exist (Vandy/Alabama last year, Stanford tape mixed). 22 TD / 21 INT career heading into season.
• Cole: 59.5 QBR. Bad second-quarter INT on an out route (same concept almost picked earlier). Forced some balls to Deuce (3-of-6). Mobility better than expected; nice TD run and TD throw to Singleton before half. Good corner-route throw to Deuce and first-drive ball to Danzy (slightly underthrown).
• Leash unchanged. SMU will be a much bigger tell.
• Jack Myrick (Auburn Primetime) comment in chat that Daniels will take them to the “promised land” — hosts treat it as sarcasm / Camping World or Gasparilla Bowl territory.

FanDuel Segment / Odds (26:50–33:00)

• FSU +3.5 (moved from +2.5), total 53.5, FSU +130 ML.
• Both think the number should be bigger toward SMU (4.5–5.5) given NMSU tape, but they also think SMU may be a bit overrated.
• Team totals: FSU 24.5, SMU 27.5.
• Props discussed: Kromah anytime TD (-130) hard to fade; Daniels anytime TD value; Landon Thomas +310; Randy Pittman (now at SMU) revenge-game sprinkle; SMU defense to score +500 if catastrophe.
• Kromah rushing line 69.5.
• Responsible gambling reminder throughout.

SMU Preview – What They’re Looking For (34:35–46:00)

• Last meeting: 2024 in Dallas, SMU 42-14.
• This is the game of the season so far. “The whole season teeters on this.” If FSU gets embarrassed, Norvell clock starts (4–5 weeks). Must look good / competitive even if they lose.
• Cole wants:
  • Win toss, receive, start fast.
  • Run, run, run (Kromah, Singleton, one Danzy jet) to set up play-action.
  • Get Deuce Robinson involved early (scheme a shot over the top after two or three runs). He’s an All-American / future first-rounder.
  • Another receiver or TE step up (Landon Thomas 4–5 catches, 60 yards, TD would be ideal). Less RB screens.
  • O-line and depth-chart changes expected (no public depth chart all season — Norvell policy).
• Gus wants:
  • Scheme specifically for Deuce and Danzy’s big-play ability.
  • Better OL vs. a real DL.
  • More from Daniels.
  • Confirmation they didn’t empty the playbook vs. NMSU.
• Extra notes: Jennings finger injury still a question (originally said he’d be fine). Home primetime standalone on Labor Day — Doak should be loud. Jennings’ last big road spot was Penn State. Fan base already restless (boos heard on CW broadcast, which was the most-watched CFB game in CW history — “hate watch”).
• No public depth charts all year. Media access extremely limited. Makes covering the team difficult.

Score Predictions & Closing (46:50–end)

• Cole: FSU 31–28. High-scoring, FSU covers and wins outright as home underdog. Giving the staff the benefit of the doubt that they sandbagged Week 0.
• Gus: SMU wins (leans 34-24 type score). Wants one of them to be right for next week’s show. Won’t be “season over / fire everyone” unless FSU plays the exact same sloppy, non-competitive way and gets dominated (classic Norvell “lay down after first quarter”). A competitive 34-24 or 34-27 loss he can live with.
• Both staying off the game personally (too much heart in it).
• Next show: Wednesday after SMU. Cole in the building Monday. Postgame live possible with Jackson/Jacob.

Key recurring themes

• Run game is the strength; everything else (OL, TEs, 3-3-5, Daniels consistency, play-calling) has real question marks heading into a ranked SMU team at home.
• Don’t overreact to NMSU tape, but the same issues against Jennings and SMU’s talent would be alarming.
• Season narrative and Norvell’s standing hang on how they look Monday night.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Intro & Housekeeping (0:00–0:53)

• Welcome, apology for starting late.
• Subscribe, hit the bell, comment on Saturday’s game and the Labor Day SMU matchup.
• Host will be at FSU-SMU in person Sept. 7: tailgating, fan interviews, extra content. Asks who else is going.

New Mexico State Recap — Positives (0:53–11:33)

FSU won 34-17. Not the statement win fans wanted, but some clear bright spots after rewatching film.

Running game / backfield (biggest positive)

• Usman Kromah (Cromo): 14 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD. 52-yard run showed shiftiness and “run through contact” fundamentals even when OL blocking was inconsistent. Host calls him the starter.
• Depth: Sam Singleton + Contrerion Wisner make this the best RB room in the ACC. Rotation and injury insurance are real.
• Singleton: 164 all-purpose yards. Patient as a returner, speed on screens, receiving TD on a rollout from Ashton Daniels. Coaches have raved about his hands.
• Norvell stayed committed to the run instead of abandoning it early. FSU should be able to run on anyone if the OL develops chemistry.

Quarterback flashes

• Two explosive passing plays stood out:
  • First drive: Daniels to Makai Danzy over the middle, big chunk into the red zone.
  • Opening play: Daniels to Deuce Robinson for a first down.
• Fourth-down conversion to Robinson in the second half (after a questionable 3rd-and-10 run call).
• Final TD drive: Daniels navigates pocket, pump fake, cross-body laser. Arm talent and ability to make throws are there. Interception didn’t rattle him.

Defense highlights

• Quandarius Jones INT killed a 6.5-minute New Mexico State drive that was converting third downs. Prevented an early momentum swing in a restless Doak crowd.
• Run defense: NMSU held to 47 net rushing yards, 2.0 YPC. Screens snuffed out (Tony White: “read it like a book”).
• Pass rush improved late as NMSU OL wore down. Chris Jones (LB from Southern Miss) stands out with violent one-on-one hits. Physical, fast defense with flashes.
• Talent beat New Mexico State even if execution was sloppy. A win is a win after recent losing seasons. 1-0 is better than 0-1.

Chat note: ~$4.5 million in pledges already left for next year.

New Mexico State Recap — Negatives (12:28–19:40)

Host does not dwell on Norvell’s job security (“is he on thin ice? Absolutely. That’s obvious”) but lists the on-field problems.

• Defensive miscommunication and blown coverages. Tony White: some guys knew what they were doing, some didn’t. Corners often too deep pre-snap.
• Third-down defense: NMSU 10-of-17. Soft coverage routinely picked apart.
• Jabril Rawls beaten on a touchdown route.
• Only 5% run-stuff rate. One non-sack TFL. Daniel Lyons limited to ~8 snaps for unspecified reason, zero stats.
• 8 penalties. Costly red-zone flags and early sacks forced Daniels to scramble.
• Four of five OL starters are new transfers. Continuity is missing. Play-calling looked vanilla (possible they were hiding things from SMU).
• Not the dominance expected vs. a CUSA team, even if this NMSU squad is improved. Secondary did not impress.

Coaches acknowledged it: Norvell cited blown coverages that cost touchdowns; White pointed to processing under the lights with 80k+ in the stands.

SMU Preview (19:40–end)

Labor Day, Sept. 7. Host attending live.

Odds (FanDuel at time of show) SMU -3.5 | O/U 53.5 | SMU ML -162 | FSU +124 Host expects the number could drift to -5.5 or -6 after FSU’s uneven opener. Personally leaning SMU moneyline; slightly leaning over.

Why SMU is dangerous

• 14 ACC wins the last two seasons (most in the league), only two conference losses.
• Beat Miami last year (one of three teams to do so). CFP appearance and ACC Championship Game in first ACC season.
• Rhett Lashlee: 38-16 heading into Year 5, contract through 2032. Both coordinators left (one to Cowboys); in-house promotions.
• QB Kevin Jennings (third-year starter): dual-threat, sidearm/off-platform, deep ball, accuracy, touch. 19 career wins (tied 3rd among Power 4 QBs), 73% winning percentage (tied 1st among returning P4 QBs). 7,709 career passing yards (2nd in SMU history), 55 TDs (4th). Ankle injury limited mobility last year — expect more dynamism now. Host’s take: best QB in the ACC and several levels above NMSU’s quarterback.
• Offense last year: 12th nationally, 2nd in ACC yards/game, 12th in passing. New RB Kendrick Raphael (Cal transfer, 1,100+ yards last season) gives them a better run game than recent years.
• Defense last year allowed 303.5 passing yards per game — FSU’s best path is to throw and get SMU on its heels, then run.
• SMU schedule: no Clemson, no Miami. Notre Dame, Louisville, and maybe Virginia are the toughest remaining games. Host views SMU as a legitimate ACC title contender.

What FSU must do

• Get pressure on Jennings. SMU OL is experienced with preseason All-ACC pieces.
• Tighten coverage and communication. If the secondary looks anything like it did vs. NMSU (272 passing yards allowed), it will be a long night. Jennings threw for 360 vs. a Miami defense that had two first-rounders up front.
• Third-down defense must improve.
• Offense needs to show more than the vanilla package from Week 0. Host hopes they were holding cards; if this is the offense, concerns grow.
• Game likely trends toward a shootout. Question is whether FSU’s offense can keep up.

Big-picture take This is not a must-win, but a competitive showing (even a one-possession loss) would create optimism heading into Alabama. A sloppy repeat of the NMSU performance gets FSU blown out. Talent won’t be enough — SMU is as talented or more talented. FSU has to raise its intensity to SMU’s level instead of dropping to the opponent’s level like it did Saturday.

Host’s bottom line: more questions than answers after Week 0. Monday will show whether the staff and players can clean it up.

Upcoming

• Florida State Seminoles Live: Wednesday
• Next Primetime Live: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
• SMU postgame: Monday night

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

00:00–01:12 | Open and scene-set

Technical hiccup on the countdown. Jackson welcomes viewers after FSU’s first win of 2026. Jacob joins late after driving home from Doak Campbell. Atmosphere pregame was strong; energy faded as the game stayed close.

01:12–03:00 | Pregame honors and crowd

Sebastian Janikowski jersey retirement drew real love (“kickers deserve that”). Ethan Pritchard walking after last year’s gunshot wound to the head also recognized. Crowd energy good early, then flat in the second half. Fans booed a failed third-down conversion even though FSU converted on fourth. NMSU “put up a better fight than the scoreline indicates.”

03:00–08:30 | Defense and overall feel

NMSU QB threw for 272 yards and made throws with pressure in his face. FSU secondary (talked-up offseason physicality/speed) did not look the part. Jabril Rawls “absolutely cooked/fried.” Hosts expect a blowout next week vs SMU. Play-calling critique starts: too many jet sweeps and fake jets, especially inside the 10 with Ashton Daniels rolling right and two-thirds of the field cut off. Hosts read it as Norvell not fully trusting Daniels.

08:30–13:00 | Offense, penalties, Norvell quotes

Best passing play was an early Mekhi Danzy deep shot that died on a false start + tripping. Xavier Chaplin (Auburn transfer, supposed best OL) had “one of the slowest false starts I’ve ever seen.” Daniels missed a 100% TD throw to Deuce Robinson (inside instead of outside shoulder; PI still moved the chains). OL couldn’t hold blocks; RBs missed some blitz pickups. Daniels’ rushing TD “is a sack next week.” Dropped NMSU flea-flicker would have made it 17-14. Fans leaving with ~7 minutes left.

Norvell postgame (via Tomahawk Nation): “wonderful way to start the 2026 season… some good and bad… flashes of what you want to see.” Hosts call it sugarcoating. “You could say it wasn’t a good game, Coach.” Uneasy the entire night despite a 10-point halftime lead.

13:00–17:00 | Win-total and one positive

FanDuel win total 5.5. Both hosts hammer the under; 4-8 now feels more realistic than 7-8. One clear positive: the run game. Usman Kroma patient, strong, made 5–7 yard gains behind poor blocking, plus a 52-yarder (8.2 YPC). Sam Singleton also popped as a receiver/returner. Three-back committee expected all year; sometimes two or three RBs on the field together. Daniels mixed good and bad throws, consistent with prior film study. His postgame line (“not the national championship”) landed as an excuse.

17:00–22:30 | Schedule line-by-line

Quick recast after one ugly win:

• SMU — loss (shock if FSU wins; Jacob still going)
• Alabama — loss
• Central Arkansas — win
• Virginia — loss (looked sharp vs NC State)
• Louisville — loss
• Clemson — loss
• BC — win
• Pitt (road) — loss
• NC State — win
• Florida — loss

Net: four wins. “You’re expected to beat up on this team. You didn’t cover a 32.5-point spread.”

22:30–29:00 | Brand, third downs, secondary

FSU “no longer a big meaningful brand.” NMSU held the ball most of the first quarter; two missed TDs (INT + dropped flea-flicker) left 14 points on the board. NMSU 10-of-17 on third down (5-of-6 early, three conversions on the opening drive). Too much cushion coverage; easy 6–8 yard gains. Rawls’ first-round talk now needs proof. Tony White’s “cleanest scrimmage” comments don’t match what showed up.

29:00–35:30 | Daniels, OL, SMU/Alabama preview

Daniels holds the ball too long; hosts dislike designed QB draws given his DJU-like frame (bigger/taller than Castellanos). Potential is there (cross-body throws, pocket navigation when protected). OL question marks: NMSU DL got pressure and sacks. SMU at home might stay competitive; Alabama (Keilan Robinson? Ryan Williams) will not. Deuce Robinson barely targeted; crowd rarely chanted his name. Chemistry and protection both issues.

35:30–42:00 | Talent vs coaching, close

Talent is there; play-calling and the line were the problems. Secondary and pass rush also failed. Norvell seat “on fire / thin ice” after Year 7; $51M buyout complicates any mid-season move. No obvious replacement (Tim Harris, Tony White, Tom Herman all mentioned, none a slam-dunk). Bobby Bowden quote invoked: first you lose big, then lose close, then win close, then win big. FSU is stuck in “win close” against a C-USA team that had the same recent record. High-end skill players (Kroma especially) bailed them out.

Close: win is a win, 1-0 instead of 0-1. Monday show to preview SMU; Wednesday Seminoles Live with Gus & Cole; Thursday Primetime; postgame after the Monday night SMU game.

Key quotes

• Jackson on Norvell: “What is up with all the fake jet sweeps? … I thought the play calling was horrendous.”
• On the defense: “We’re going to get blown out next week.”
• On the win: “It was honestly disgraceful that it was this close.”
• Jacob on leaving early: “There’s no real hope for this team… you want to beat the traffic.”
• Both on the over/under: “I’m taking under a hundred percent. There’s no possible way this team gets to six wins.”
• On Kroma: “He would just make it happen… 8.2 yards per carry. That’s elite.”

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Quick Snapshot

• ACC follows Big Ten/SEC in blocking former professionals; legal back-and-forth (TROs, institutional penalties) still unfolding two days from Week 0.
• Devin Carter (true freshman WR) out for opener and likely SMU; Quintravion Weisner (Texas transfer RB) expected to play but in a measured committee with Usman Croma and Sam Singleton.
• Ashton Daniels earned “Break the Rock”; camp praise for leadership and confidence, but protection and ball security remain the swing factors.
• No official depth chart. Watch OL/DL rotations, LB snaps behind Chris Jones/Caleb Lavallee, and safety usage.
• Colby prediction vs. NMSU: 37-13 (does not cover 32.5). Jackson leaning 40-7.
• Norvell hot-seat bar: clear on-field and recruiting progress. Colby’s full-season lean is 4-8; Jackson more in the 7-8 win range. Schedule is the ACC’s toughest.

Timestamped Notes

0:00–1:30 — Open Florida State PrimeTime Live presented by FanDuel. Jackson welcomes 247 FSU reporter Colby Crawford to talk “Knowles football.” Subscribe, notifications, drop questions in chat.

1:30–5:20 — ACC / former-pro ruling and courtroom noise ACC joins Big Ten and SEC in blocking former professionals from returning. Colby: once SEC (Greg Sankey language around “full and total authoritative control”) and Big Ten drew a hard line, ACC following felt inevitable—like school districts canceling after a neighboring county does. Still expect portal additions of players who never signed NFL contracts. Issue also exists in basketball. Dan Murphy (ESPN) tweet + Dallas TRO allowing roughly two dozen outgoing seniors back. Colby: expect countersuits against conferences, not just schools/NCAA. SEC posture is “play the player if you want, but we’ll fine the institution or restrict the coach.” Not over in court. Both want to get back to football with Week 0 two days away.

5:20–8:15 — Devin Carter injury True freshman WR who had a good spring and was competing for fifth/sixth WR snaps + special teams. Banged up early in fall camp. Mike Norvell already said he’s out for the opener. Colby: not a Deuce Robinson / Makai Dancy / Usman Croma-level loss. Could be a couple of weeks or stretch toward midseason. Unlikely for SMU; the NMSU / Central Arkansas games were the natural spots to ease him in. Depth is flattened, so every body matters, but the top of the WR room came through camp healthy. Carson Hobbs (Notre Dame transfer) is out for the year (ACL).

8:15–11:00 — Quintravion Weisner and the RB room Texas transfer was the “shiny new toy,” missed some camp time (injury not disclosed). Expected to play vs. NMSU. Croma and Singleton took a lot of the reps and earned glowing reviews (Singleton big TDs in second scrimmage; Croma “taken charge”). Weisner is by far the most experienced (Colby: nearly double Croma + Singleton’s career snaps from last year alone) and a true three-down back who can catch. Expect a committee: Croma as the “truer one,” spelled by Singleton and Weisner. Staff will be measured—want everyone healthy for the Sept. 7 game. RB room is one of the most comfortable units on the roster.

11:00–13:40 — Ashton Daniels Earned Break the Rock at the end of camp; viewed as a prominent leader. Colby: he is the biggest question mark / “little engine that could.” Large career sample. Problems historically come when pressure leads to poor decisions and turnovers. Best flashes: 100+ rushing yards vs. Alabama, career game vs. Vanderbilt. Question is a full 12-game season against a tough ACC slate plus Alabama and Florida. Need: protection + game-manager version that hits Deuce Robinson, gets the ball to playmakers, and works off the run game. Ball security is the priority. Around the building: same guy every day, no negative remarks, leads the right way. A few throws (especially far-side) he’d want back. Confidence is the highest it’s been; now it has to hold when stakes rise.

13:40–16:45 — Camp grade + transfer-QB model Overall positive camp. Biggest win is health (Hobbs the notable exception). Lots of new transfers, especially OL, needed the reps to gel. Productive work. Third straight Week 1 starting transfer QB (DJ Uiagalelei, Tommy Castellanos, now Daniels). If the Daniels experiment fails, Colby says FSU will have bigger program questions than just the QB room. Sustainability of yearly portal QBs depends on the program, recruiting arm, and money. Indiana and Miami have made it work with high-end transfers. FSU has felt one-foot-in, one-foot-out on strategy. Evaluation matters more than the source (five-star freshman vs. transfer)—both are expensive.

16:45–19:10 — No depth chart Part of the broader trend: no spring game, more things kept behind the veil because of the portal and “loose lips sink ships.” Frustrating for fans, but if you’ve followed camp you have a decent picture. Half or more of the roster is new, so a published chart would help stadium-goers identify numbers. Changing world of CFB.

19:10–23:10 — Battles and standouts to watch Week 0

• OL and DL rotations / snap counts / how deep they go.
• Safeties: KJ Kirkland vs. CJ Richard.
• LB: Chris Jones and Caleb Lavallee as the running mates; who is next (Makai Bayer, Blake Nicholson)? Chris Jones: after last year’s LB play “can’t get any worse.” Competent athlete who wants to get downhill, strike, and hunt the football. Teammate/self-quote vibe: “I tweak harder than anyone.” Reckless, physical, linebacker mentality. Not projected as all-conference yet, but the traits are there. Ernie Sims (former FSU / top-10 NFL pick) is a spark plug for the room—“apex predator” standard. Instills violence, desire, and passion. Especially pleased with Jones and Lavallee. Desir brothers: Mandrell had a strong true-freshman year (6.5 sacks, freshman All-American). Darrell was a fall-camp riser. Both can move around the line; Mandrell more versatile (“I can play one through five”). Hard to keep off the field; path to all-conference type seasons. Jabril Rawls: staff wants a true No. 1 lockdown corner who can travel with the opponent’s top WR and erase him. Athleticism, fluidity, leadership. Built on last year’s flashes (pick at UVA) under Blue Adams.

23:10–29:00 — New Mexico State preview, spread, and what FSU must show Spread sitting around 32.5 (moving). Colby submitted 37-13 to 247—does not expect a cover. Expect vanilla looks ahead of SMU, heavy rotation of DL and RBs in the second half, “wind the game down.” Still want a statement at home and snaps for depth. Jackson leaning they cover / something like 40-7; defense should show up, offense has familiar skill pieces. What the game needs to look like: clean operation all three phases (penalties, turnovers, special-teams execution, substitution/alignment issues). Passionate, flying-to-the-football effort. Control the game after the first quarter. Effort and desire will matter as much as the final margin for a fan base that has checked out or is bracing for another down year. Context check: both FSU and NMSU are 7-17 over the last two seasons. FSU has no road wins in that span. Jackson: “Is this the level we’ve dropped to?” Colby acknowledges the frustration from the Bowden-era standard.

29:00–36:00 — Norvell hot seat, schedule, and win totals Hottest seat among Power 4 coaches after the 13-0 anomaly and the slide since. Colby gut: 8-4 to feel safe, but he doesn’t see eight wins with this roster and this schedule. Seven-and-five might be the real conversation. Wins look different depending on start (6-0 vs. 5-0 then five-game skid). Need obvious progression on the field, off the field, and in recruiting. Colby’s penciled record: 4-8. Losses: SMU, Alabama, Louisville, Miami, Clemson, Pitt, NC State, Florida. Wins: Boston College, Virginia, Central Arkansas, New Mexico State. Jackson more in the 7–8 range and calls that generous. Schedule is the toughest in the ACC. A 1-2 start (especially if Virginia is a loss) makes the Louisville/Miami/Clemson stretch deafening. AD Michael Alford: boosters did their job; now it’s Mike’s turn. Read as a clear “live up to expectations or we move on.” Last year many thought the trigger would come after Stanford; this year the message is more explicit.

36:00–38:30 — Recruiting reset and the new facility Recruiting “gone by the wayside” in effort and approach; revolving door in the front office. Last year’s class was huge; this year’s is smaller and more cognizant, partly because the money wasn’t there for top targets. Ingredients: dominate the most talent-rich state in the country, keep Florida kids home, relentless trail work, re-establish the brand/shield. NIL/rev-share makes it more expensive, but competitive money + effort still wins a lot of battles. New facility: helps in the “have vs. have-not” comparison on visits. Nice recruiting tool, but still just a building if results and people inside it don’t match.

38:30–41:20 — Offensive line and Norvell calling plays OL was essentially rebuilt (almost everyone new except one holdover). Need physicality, striking, playing together, clean operation, and comfort rotating guys. Xavier Chaplin (6-7, 330, Virginia Tech/Auburn) is the bookend left tackle—if he goes down they’re in trouble. Physical tools plus Herb Hand coaching; now it has to show on the field. Norvell taking play-calling after Gus Malzahn’s late retirement. Colby doesn’t think it changes the job-security math much. “If it’s not now, it’s never.” The buck stops with him. Combination with Tim Harris will be worth watching out of the NMSU game. Hasn’t called plays in a while.

41:20–end — Close Colby will be at the game. Stadium renovations finished. Positive note for fans: football is back after a long, negative offseason. No one can take away Saturdays. What happens on the field will decide the rest. Go Noles.

Strong pull-quotes

• Colby on ACC following SEC/Big Ten: snow-day counties following the “prestigious” one that canceled first.
• On Daniels: “the little engine that could for the offense.”
• On the RB room: “arguably the room on the team that you’re most comfortable about.”
• On Jones: “I tweak harder than anyone.”
• On Norvell’s number: “My gut says eight and four… I truly don’t see eight wins with the current roster makeup.”
• On the standard: 7-17 the last two years “is not the standard.”
• Close: “No one can take away your happiness on Saturdays because fall is back.”

Article / clip angles

• “Clean football or more of the same?” — what FSU must show Saturday that actually moves the Norvell conversation.
• RB committee watch: Croma as the 1, Weisner’s first snaps in garnet, Singleton’s change-of-pace.
• Why no depth chart matters more this year (half the roster is new).
• Desir brothers + Rawls + Jones as the defensive identity pieces coming out of camp.
• 4-8 vs. 7-8: the two records that will define whether this staff gets another year.
• Recruiting prescription in one sentence: keep Florida, outwork everyone, make the brand mean something again.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Show open / format (0:00–2:25)

College football is back. After an offseason of talking FSU without games, Week 0 is here. Wilson teases a different-style preview because NMSU is a lower-tier opener: FanDuel odds, the surprise no-depth-chart decision, what he’s watching in position battles, second-half players who should get run, Norvell’s return as play-caller, and a score prediction.

Live every Wednesday 8 p.m. ET. Postgame lives will follow every FSU game (Wilson/Cole and/or Jacob/Jackson).

Quick FSU-adjacent news (2:26–3:32)

Tommy Castellanos was granted an extra year of eligibility amid the Class of 2022 / NCAA eligibility fight and is committing to Texas Tech. Will Hammond is expected to start in Lubbock after the Brendan Sorsby situation; Castellanos arrives very late (Tech’s opener is two weeks out). He started most of last season for the Noles and helped upset Alabama in Week 1 2025.

FanDuel odds (3:37–6:00)

NMSU at FSU

• FSU −31.5 (one of the biggest Week 0 spreads; just behind USC–San Jose State)
• Total 52.5
• Moneyline: FSU huge favorite (−20,000)

Anytime TD props highlighted:

• Ousmane Kromah −280
• Quintrevion Wisner −185
• Deuce Robinson −180
• Ashton Daniels −130
• Makai Danzy +105
• FSU defense +340

Responsible gambling disclaimer. Wilson will give predictions later, not betting advice.

No depth chart (6:03–7:46)

Mike Norvell announced last week there will be no depth chart for the NMSU game. Wilson (and most fans) are disappointed and confused. FSU traditionally used “OR” listings. Norvell’s stance: best players play; starters already know they’re starters; posting a chart doesn’t help. He hinted they may not release one all year. Wilson will watch whether a chart appears next week vs. SMU.

Position battles / things to watch

Starting offensive line (7:54–9:27) Only lock: Xavier Chaplin at LT. Nate Pabst will start somewhere among the other four spots. Wilson’s projection for the other three: Andre Otto, Bradyn Welch-Joiner, Chimdia Nwaiwu. Questions: who plays center vs. guard, left vs. right side. First FSU offensive series will reveal a lot. Expect movement; Norvell will want a stable five but this game could feature shuffling.

Defensive line rotation (9:28–10:54) Mandrell Desir is the featured guy (paid to stay). Twin Daryl Desir also returned via portal money. Others Wilson likes: Diamante Diggs, Daniel Lyons, Deontay McCray, Kevin Wynn. Watch snap counts, run vs. pass packages, and who separates as a high-snap complement to Mandrell.

WR3 / slot (11:09–12:49) Deuce Robinson and Makai Danzy locked as 1–2. Third spot battle: Jamin Boggs (injury-limited last year) vs. true freshmen Devin Carter and Jason Lopez (two-way; also on basketball roster). Lopez has the recent buzz after Jacksonville work. Whoever is the first extra WR on the field in 11 personnel will say a lot about camp.

QB2 (12:51–14:00) Ashton Daniels is the starter. Backup battle: Kevin Sperry vs. JUCO No. 1 Malachi Marshall. Wilson and Cole are very high on Marshall; Norvell has said he’s pushing. Expect both if it’s a blowout. Wilson thinks Sperry may enter first, but Marshall could seize QB2 quickly.

CB2 / nickel (14:07–15:23) Jabril Rawls is locked (breakout 2025; possible early-round 2027 draft pick). Other side/nickel: Mike Chandler (South Alabama transfer, size), Quinn Darius Jones (strong camp), Charles Lester (long-tenured, highly touted). No one has clearly separated. First defensive series and any rotation next to Rawls will be telling.

Norvell play-calling (16:42–20:09)

Gus Malzahn retired; Norvell is calling plays again (he did 2022–24).

• 2022: 16th nationally, 36.1 PPG
• 2023: 19th, 34.6 PPG
• 2024: 131st of 134, 15.4 PPG

Talent drop-off is real, but Wilson argues play-calling is part of the 2024 collapse. Questions for Saturday:

• How much Malzahn influence remains (more designed QB runs for a bigger, athletic Daniels)?
• Pure 2022–24 Norvell / Dillingham flavor?
• Formations and red-zone answers vs. a weaker defense.

NMSU won’t fully answer the questions, but the first look at the 2026 offense matters.

Quintrevion Wisner health (20:10–21:41)

Undisclosed injury late in camp. Wilson would rather sit him vs. NMSU and have him 100% for SMU (likely a ranked game). If he’s out, expect more Sam Singleton as the “lightning” complement to Kromah. When healthy, Wisner and Kromah are the expected 1A/1B.

Players Wilson wants to see get run (21:42–25:57)

(Assumes FSU is up big in the second half)

1. True freshman WRs Jason Lopez and Devin Carter — Lopez earlier; both later. Fun potential with Marshall or Sperry.
2. Malachi Marshall — JUCO tape; Wilson cites Trinidad Chambliss (Ferris State → Ole Miss) as proof talent can jump levels.
3. TE Chase Lofton (redshirt freshman) — competing for TE2 behind Landon Thomas / Desirio Riles. Three-TE looks possible in a Norvell offense.
4. Freshman LB Isaiah Williams (four-star, missed senior HS year, re-injured in camp after a strong first scrimmage). Norvell raved; Wilson is almost more excited about him than Marshall because the LB room has been thin since Kalen DeLoach. Watch him next to Southern Miss transfer Chris Jones.

Score prediction & closer (26:01–29:13)

Wilson expects a dominant FSU win. Norvell is coaching for his job; another Jacksonville State–style home opener disaster (2021 Hail Mary loss) would be catastrophic.

Prediction: FSU wins by 31, total 51 points (NMSU gets in the end zone; hard to shut a team out). Barely misses covering −31.5.

Individual lean: Kromah and Daniels both score on the ground; Deuce Robinson at least two receiving TDs (one deep, one near the goal line). Remembers the 77–3 Kent State game.

Not betting advice. Use FanDuel if you bet.

Next week: recap NMSU + preview SMU (much more detailed).

Go Noles.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Intro & “Pro-to-College” Eligibility Bombshell (0:00–14:00)

Jacob and Jackson open on the latest NCAA/eligibility news: 2022 high-school class players who signed NFL contracts or appeared in preseason can return to college. Jackson is blunt: once you take NFL money, you should be done. “You’re officially a pro.” He cites an LSU player who had two sacks in a Bucs preseason game last week and could theoretically come back if he doesn’t make the roster.

They call it the biggest break from college football tradition yet, worse than NIL or the portal. NCAA has no real enforcement power after House v. NCAA and repeated lawsuit losses. Top programs (Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, etc.) will hoover the talent; mid-majors won’t. Jackson notes the hypocrisy around Tommy Castellanos (same 2022 class) still fighting for a transfer injunction while these former NFL guys skip the portal entirely.

EJ Manuel’s comments (it should never be allowed) get a shout-out. They joke about LeBron playing college ball or bringing back Braden Fisk/Jared Verse/Renardo Green. Schools aren’t roster-ready and would have to cut current players. Jackson’s take: college football is already a de-facto developmental/pro league with no structure.

Training Camp Wrap & Ashton Daniels Film Breakdown (14:00–21:30)

FSU’s last official training-camp presser was today (Saturday technically last day). Mike Norvell is “genuinely pleased.” Ashton Daniels has been easing in from spring and saying he’s confident.

Jackson did a full film dive (Stanford + Auburn). Positives:

• Elite athlete who covers ground at 6-2, 225 and doesn’t look that size.
• Gives 50/50 receivers (especially Deuce Robinson) a chance.
• High-IQ off-schedule plays, pocket navigation, sidearm/flick throws under pressure, nice touch.
• Goes through 1-2-3 progressions and identifies things at the line — something Tommy Castellanos rarely did last year.

Concerns: Accuracy and ball placement (too many inside-shoulder throws). Sometimes holds the ball too long or runs when he should throw. Injury history at Stanford. “Third time’s the charm” after DJU and Castellanos. Jackson likes the tape more than he expected; if the OL protects him, the offense with FSU’s speed at WR can be fun.

Jacob is hoping for 7 wins (he’d previously said 6 was unacceptable). Both want Deuce to have a Heisman-level year.

Deuce Robinson & Receiver Standard (21:30–23:30)

Norvell said this week Deuce is a better receiver in every area than at any point last year — “a completely different player.” Jackson won’t put him above Malachi Toney or Jeremiah Smith yet (those two have shown more consistency). Last year was Deuce’s first real national breakout after a quieter USC stint.

Ernie Sims, Linebackers & Re-establishing the Standard (23:30–27:30)

Linebackers coach Ernie Sims has been preaching that the LBs must be “apex predators” and live up to Florida State’s historical standard. Jackson calls the LB room the weakest unit on defense (not bad, just the weakest of the groups) but likes the potential under Sims, one of the best LBs in program history. Sims has the credibility and relationships to demand violence and physicality.

Both agree FSU has drifted from its decades-long winning standard. They’re now mentally okay with 6-7 wins. Winning the turnover margin, being physical, and doing the little things correctly (the theme of the last two seasons) will decide it. Hypotheticals like “what if Deuce caught that TD vs. Virginia” still linger.

AP Poll Reaction — No FSU, Zero Receiving Votes (27:30–41:30)

FanDuel national-championship odds improved from +50,000 to +40,000. FSU is playing four currently ranked teams (Alabama, SMU, Miami, Louisville). Others receiving votes include Clemson, Florida, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Cal, Virginia.

Biggest surprise: Clemson not in the Top 25. Florida’s 51 votes feels overrated. Jackson is stunned FSU didn’t even get one receiving vote when New Mexico, Western Michigan, and Liberty did. “How did we not get one?” Coaches poll at least has them in receiving votes.

FSU has now been unranked in 6 of the last 8 preseason AP polls. Bobby Bowden’s teams were unranked only 4 times in 34 seasons. “What happened to the standard?” If they’re not in the poll by the bye week (before Alabama), it’s going to be a long year.

Miami is the clear ACC favorite in their eyes (could be a 10-win playoff team). They expect Miami to be good even if they don’t love them.

Mike Norvell Hot Seat & Potential Replacements (28:30–37:00)

Buyout is massive ($40M+ range). It would take another catastrophic healthy season to move on. Jackson’s first realistic name: Brian Hartline (new USF HC, former Ohio State OC). Offensive-minded, in-state, could be a jump if he produces. Other names floated: Kalani Satake (BYU consistency since 2020), Lincoln Riley if USC misses the playoff, even Oklahoma’s coach for program pedigree. Deion Sanders ship has sailed. Brian Kelly is a hard no.

They won’t know the market until week 3-plus when other programs fold.

Peter Warrick Hall of Fame Salute (43:00–47:00)

October 31 vs. Clemson: on-campus salute for Peter Warrick (2024 FSU Athletics Hall of Fame class). 3,500+ career receiving yards (ACC record at the time, 2nd in FSU history), 207 receptions, 15 100-yard games. Jersey already retired. Both love it — pay homage to the guys who built the program (Bowden era). They also want Jordan Travis’s jersey honored eventually; he stayed a leader after the 2023 injury.

Recruiting Note — John O’Dwyer (47:00–50:00)

3-star 2028 OL from Florida (27th interior OL, 58th in state). High on both Florida and FSU. Jackson likes the tape: big, physical, finishes blocks, pancakes, never stops until the whistle. Upper-body strength and mentality stand out. “Get him committed immediately.”

Close

Russian fan in St. Petersburg staying up late (time-zone pain). Possible call-in shows and postgame episodes coming. Next Thursday they’ll preview New Mexico State. Go Noles.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Intro & Setup (0:00–2:20)

Gus and Cole open from temporary setups (Cole mid-move, Gus just back from D.C.). Slow news week after last week’s fall camp recap. Plan: recap remaining camp notes, national lists, Janikowski jersey retirement, AP Poll/SMU betting, then 2028 recruiting (only two commits). First show without Marlins talk.

ESPN “40 Most Important Players” — Deuce Robinson at No. 30 (2:20–5:20)

ESPN list categorized (new QBs for contenders, etc.). No. 1: Keelyon Russell (Alabama). Deuce Robinson is FSU’s lone representative and one of nine WRs on the list.

Cole: Ranking feels a little low. “Where would this Florida State offense be without Deuce Robinson?” Impact is limited by FSU’s perceived ceiling (they cite Paige ranking FSU ~78-79). Still one of the top receivers in the country.

Gus: “Important” is a weird term. Ryan Williams and others sit ahead of him. Glad he made it; he is clearly FSU’s most important player and should be higher.

AP “Most Overrated Teams of the CFP Era” — FSU No. 6 (5:20–7:30)

Auburn No. 1, LSU 2, USC 3, Clemson 4. FSU sixth. Michigan, Alabama, and Georgia also appear despite multiple titles.

Both push back hard. After the 2014 playoff appearance, FSU was routinely expected to contend with Clemson. Recency bias from the dark years (Deandre Francois ACL, Willie Taggart, etc.) distorts the picture. 2023 (12-0) was not overrated. They note these are the same AP voters who just released the preseason poll.

ESPN Top Freshmen Poised to Impact — Two Noles (7:30–9:30)

Devin Carter (WR, son of Dexter Carter) No. 2 overall for FSU. Isaiah Williams (LB) No. 4 after missing his senior year with a torn ACL; now healthy and the linebacker room is wide open.

FSU is the only team with two players in the top 10 of the conference-specific list (Miami had one). Cole notes Jason Lopez (the other freshman WR) has generated more camp buzz but didn’t make the list. Williams could earn snaps immediately.

Sebastian Janikowski No. 38 Retirement (9:30–12:20)

Jersey retired during the New Mexico State opener — 13th Seminole and only kicker to have his number retired. Two-time Lou Groza winner (1997-99), first-round pick.

Cole interviewed him that morning for an FSVU piece (out next week). Polish-born, soccer background. Funny story: Bowden initially didn’t want another kicker; an assistant showed tape, then the starter went down vs. Clemson and Bowden yelled for “the kid from Poland.” Janikowski still finds the two Groza awards surreal. Cole: “Such a nice, genuine guy.”

AP Poll, SMU Odds & FanDuel Segment (12:20–15:30)

Three ACC teams ranked; SMU No. 19. Week 2 (Sept. 7, Labor Day night) is a potential ranked win.

Odds: FSU 2.5-point home underdog, O/U 53.5. Both like FSU and the under. They are not high on SMU or Kevin Jennings (cite his Penn State playoff struggles in a hostile environment). Home-dog, standalone night game is a plus — avoids a letdown spot if they were favored. Both plan to bet FSU. Gamble responsibly via FanDuel.

FSU should be 1-0 after New Mexico State.

Fall Camp Updates (15:30–22:40)

QB2 battle: Malachi Marshall is “as advertised” per Norvell. Depth chart (expected soon, possibly before next show) likely lists Sperry or Marshall at QB2. Cole has been high on Marshall since the commitment. Expect all three QBs (Ashton Daniels + the two) to play if FSU has a lead vs. New Mexico State.

Running back: Travion Wisner dealing with a “minor” undisclosed injury and has barely practiced. Usman Kroma has taken over the backfield and looks like the clear RB1. Sam Singleton could see more work. Cole heard Wisner wasn’t looking great even before the injury. Realistic chance Wisner sits Week 1 to be ready for SMU. They want to avoid another Roydell Williams/Gavin Sawchuck situation of veterans blocking a more talented younger back.

Offensive line: Nate Pabst (Bowling Green transfer) called the most consistent OL by the position coach. “Picking my favorite kids” trying to set the five. Cole has Pabst, Brayden Joyner, Andre Otto, and Xavier Chaplin locked in; competition for the last spot (Shim Dia Nwawu, Paul Bowling, etc.). Positions still fluid. New Mexico State is a good first test to see if they can maul a lesser defensive line.

Depth chart expected by next week’s New Mexico State preview show.

2028 Recruiting Update (22:40–29:40)

Only two commits, both Florida kids — a positive after the 2027 class push to take the state back.

• Chase Brown: 3-star athlete (WR/S), committed June 11. 6-1, 165. Offers from Florida, LSU, Maryland.
• Troy Silvers: 3-star TE from Melbourne, committed July 14. Offers from Florida and Penn State.

Targets they like:

• George Selvey III (4-star IOL, Riverview) — raved about April visit.
• Nation Farmer (nearly 5-star, Bradenton) — June visit, offer in January. Competing with Tennessee, Auburn, Michigan, Oregon.

Need at least one of these two in-state linemen. Farmer is the higher-rated (more versatile) but Selvey’s interior skill set also fits.

QBs hosted this summer: 4-star Luke Rubley, 4-star Chandler Dyson (Cole and Gus both high on him; Ole Miss making a strong push), 3-star Chase Curran. Additional 3-star QBs visiting for the New Mexico State game. Signals they do not have a locked-in long-term QB behind Daniels.

Cole: Hard to sell FSU to QBs right now given recent development track record. Fine if Dyson prefers Ole Miss.

Cam McGee: 5-star edge, No. 1 on 247Sports (reclassified). Listed FSU among schools recruiting him best (Georgia, Oregon, Auburn, Florida, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Notre Dame). Late June offer. Brand still gets them in the conversation even if landing him is a long shot. Possible post-Norvell era appeal.

Norvell job security will be a recurring topic.

Close (29:40–end)

Last “slow” episode. Next Wednesday 8 p.m. ET: New Mexico State preview + predictions (depth chart should be out). Post-game lives coming with FSU Primetime crew (Jacob and Jackson). Shameless plugs: Cole’s Janikowski article next week on FSVU; follow @bygustwilson and @colecrewnine.

~31 minutes. Relatively quiet week, but camp reports and early 2028 traction are encouraging signs heading into the opener.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Opening / Personal Update (0:00–1:40)

• Welcome back to Seminoles Nation. Jackson was out last week at a personnel and recruiting symposium in Nashville. Networked with FSU staff, including player personnel standout Jeremy Smith. Flight delays made the return to Tallahassee rough, but overall a strong experience.

Tommy Castellanos Eligibility Discussion (1:41–7:00)

• Jackson has been a supporter of Tommy. On the fifth-year eligibility push via injunction in Texas:
  • If he’s a legitimate grad student, fine—let him play. Pure “for giggles” playing is less appealing.
  • NCAA is frustrated after the Colorado injunction went through; judge already denied a stay request.
  • Practical issue: he can’t transfer (window issues), so options are limited. Fit at FSU is unclear with the current QB room unless someone flops or he plays hybrid WR/QB (Terrell Pryor-style).
• Both hosts push back on the heavy blame Tommy took for 2025. He was “electric,” restored confidence, and delivered the program’s signature win over Alabama. Jordan Travis even floated Heisman talk early. Wish him well wherever he lands (NFL or potential return).
• Broader point: recruiting and developing high-school QBs (Jordan Travis model) still works better long-term than pure portal churn. Hope Ashton Daniels has a huge year (50 TDs joked about).

On3 5-7 Prediction & Schedule Breakdown (7:00–12:00)

• On3 projects FSU 5-7 again (starts 5-1 then collapses). Both hosts say five wins is roughly the floor; ceiling is more like 7–8 or possibly 9 if they beat ranked teams.
• The “start strong then collapse” path feels very FSU-esque and mirrors last year.
• Quick schedule thoughts:
  • Alabama = loss.
  • Early stretch (New Mexico State, SMU, Central Arkansas, Virginia, Louisville) offers realistic wins.
  • Later stretch (BC, Pitt, NC State, Florida) also winnable.
  • Tough middle: Miami is a near-lock loss; Clemson is very hard; Louisville/Pitt/NC State are toss-ups.
• Betting notes: FSU +2000 ACC, +50,000 CFP (basically a donation). New Mexico State moneyline is –10,000; spread was around 30.5–31.5; total 52.5.

Opponent Scouting Notes (12:00–18:00)

• New Mexico State: Recent trajectory oddly similar to FSU (strong 2023, then drop-off). Conference history includes Independent, CUSA, Sun Belt, WAC, etc. Not a powerhouse, but not a complete freebie either. Expect a comfortable FSU win (possibly big if offense clicks).
• SMU: Strong program—no losing seasons since 2018, recent CFP appearance, ranked (coaches poll ~20th). Currently only a 1.5-point favorite. Winnable but very dangerous.
• Alabama and Central Arkansas briefly touched. Central Arkansas is FCS; should be a “gimme” / cakewalk, though Norvell’s history there makes it a full-circle note.

Sebastian Janikowski Number Retirement (18:00–20:50)

• No. 38 will be retired on the season opener—13th Seminole to receive the honor.
• Consensus: fully deserved. First-round kicker (rare), two-time Lou Groza winner, FSU/ACC all-time scoring leader, co-holder of single-game FG record (5) and career percentage (~76%). National championship contributor. Hall of Fame already (2013). One of the strongest legs in football history.

Training Camp Updates & Injuries (20:50–26:30)

• Carson Hobbs (Notre Dame transfer CB): Torn ACL, out for the season. Looked solid in limited action last year (notably vs. Texas A&M). Meaningful rotational/experienced piece lost. Norvell pointed to sophomore Ricky Knight and existing depth as mitigation. Still a clear hit to the secondary.
• Javon Boggs: Back from injury, limited but working in camp.
• Jason Lopez (true freshman WR, two-sport athlete): Standout of camp so far. Highlighted for a one-handed catch with a defender draped on him in the Jacksonville scrimmage. Body already looks ready; route running, adjustment ability, and speed praised. Competing for slot snaps and punt return. Multiple hosts/coaches refuse to treat him like a typical freshman. Could push Boggs and earn significant snaps as a true freshman—possibly top-3 WR usage if he continues.

Ashton Daniels “Best D-Line in the ACC” Comments & Hype Reality Check (26:30–40:00)

• Daniels publicly said the defensive line will be the best in the ACC. Hosts mixed: love the swagger, but putting a giant target on the unit’s back invites every opponent’s best shot. Reminiscent of over-talking Colorado teams of recent years.
• Consensus from camp reports: D-line has been the clear best unit day after day, regularly winning periods vs. the offense. Desir twins (especially Mandrell) getting national recognition (CBS top-150 type rankings). Depth and physicality look real.
• Larger skepticism remains:
  • Offense (especially QB) still has question marks. Limited high-level tape on Daniels; Stanford starts were uneven; multiple multi-interception games in his past. Least experienced transfer QB FSU has brought in during the portal era.
  • Offensive line has four transfers + only one returning starter (Andre Otto at RG). Continuity concerns are real.
  • Overall roster has depth and young talent (big freshmen at TE, DL, etc.), but back-to-back losing seasons (7-17 the last two years) make bold talk harder to buy until proven.
• Floor/ceiling debate: 6-6 is not acceptable. Aim higher (8–9 wins, strong conference record, road/ranked wins). 2022-style rebound (10-3 after a down year) feels more realistic than an immediate 2023-level leap.

Recruiting, NIL, Transfer Portal & Culture Discussion (40:00–53:00)

• Frustration with Florida commits (even three-stars) still talking to Florida and scheduling visits. Pattern of flips to in-state rivals continues and hurts.
• Extended role-play/hypothetical on five-star OT recruitment: money matters, but so do proximity to home, playing time, culture, post-football education, cost of living, and chance to win. Hosts land on the reality that the programs writing the biggest checks are usually also the ones with the best win probability.
• Broader critique of modern college football: NIL + portal has turned it into pure business. Old model (recruit, develop, retain—Bobby Bowden/Jimbo style) is harder. Eligibility rules feel broken (multi-year veterans, graduate students, etc.). NCAA has lost control as state courts and injunctions dictate outcomes (Tommy situation cited again).
• Positive note on the Australian punter (28-year-old with wild hair/tattoos) as a fun locker-room presence.

Closing (53:00–end)

• Show wrapping after ~53–55 minutes. Shifting to Thursday shows going forward, plus post-game content once the season starts.
• Final message: Go Noles. See you next Thursday.

Key Takeaways for Article/Clip Use

• On3 5-7 projection is treated as realistic floor but not the expectation.
• Daniels’ D-line claim is the flashiest soundbite—pair with camp reports and Desir twins hype.
• Lopez is the clear breakout camp story; Hobbs injury is the biggest immediate setback.
• Recruiting/NIL conversation is heated and honest—good for longer-form analysis or reaction content.
• Overall tone: measured optimism mixed with healthy skepticism after consecutive losing seasons.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Intro & Show Notes (0:00–2:30)

• Gus Wilson flying solo (Cole traveling; school starting soon).
• Missed last week due to scheduling conflicts.
• Football is back — fall camp serving as the early “tease.”
• Content ramping up: Florida State Seminoles Live, Florida State Primetime Live (with Jacob & Jackson tomorrow), postgame shows, and more in-season content.
• Promo: Voice of College Football Florida State + @theVOCFB on all platforms; Gus’s socials @ByGusWilson.
• Focus of the show: notes from FSU’s two main scrimmages + Jacksonville practices at UNF.

Quarterback 2 Battle Heating Up (2:30–4:50)

• Kevin Sperry vs. Malachi Marshall for the backup role behind starter Ashton Daniels.
• Spring battle was short-lived; Daniels locked in as the starter quickly.
• Marshall (JUCO transfer) enrolled in May but couldn’t practice until fall; missed the first scrimmage with injury.
• Norvell highly complimentary of Marshall’s arm strength and processing — both better than expected.
• Sperry not separating himself.
• Marshall’s 2025 JUCO numbers: 2,750 yards, 33 TDs, 8 INTs, led team to 12-1 and NJCAA D1 national title.
• Gus expects Marshall to win the QB2 job and see the field (possibly early vs. New Mexico State). Size (~6-1, needs to add weight) is the main question, but he’s progressing.

Cornerback 2 Battle (4:50–6:40)

• Jabril Rawls locked in as CB1 (Norvell confirmed).
• CB2 is competitive: Quindarius Jones “really good,” Mike Chandler, Charles Lester (nice INT in Sunday scrimmage), Ricky Knight also in the mix.
• Gus previously projected Chandler as CB2 (first portal addition). Now leaning Jones (more nickel/slot type) + Chandler + Rawls.
• Hopes Lester (near-5-star who stayed despite limited playing time) gets significant snaps, especially in a blowout vs. New Mexico State (~31.5-point favorite).
• Lester’s ball skills and size continue to show.

Sunday Scrimmage – Defense Standing Out (6:40–9:00)

• Front seven extremely impressive across sources.
• Nazeer twins made a big impact on the DL.
• Jalen Anderson (6-2, 242, JUCO edge transfer) highlighted by Norvell for multiple good plays — name to watch for pass-rush help after Jared Verse’s departure.
• Linebackers: Omar Graham and especially Chris Jones stood out.
  • Cole has been on the Chris Jones hype train; Gus is fully on board now.
  • Jones looks like the best LB FSU has had since Kalen DeLoach (loud, physical presence the defense has lacked).
• Overall defense described by Norvell as “night and day” compared to this time last year.
• Charles Lester’s INT again noted as a positive for the secondary.

Running Backs & Skill Standouts (9:00–12:30)

• Norvell highlighted Sam Singleton and Usman Kroma.
• Gus slightly surprised on Singleton (expects him buried a bit); projects 1A/1B of Quintavion Wisner + Usman Kroma, with Daniels also running.
• No specific Wisner notes from the second scrimmage (both limited contact).
• Wide receivers:
  • Deuce Robinson “always making good plays” (expected).
  • Sophomore Tayshaun Gelsey (6-4, 227) extremely consistent — potential long-term X receiver.
  • Freshman Jason Lopez challenging for significant opportunities; highlight-reel catch in Jacksonville + consistent plays. Also recruited for basketball.
  • Other names: Devin Carter (spring standout), Javon Boggs (injuries).
• Possible three-WR group of Gelsey / Makai Danzy / Deuce Robinson would give FSU impressive size (multiple 6-1+ with two at 6-4).

“Move Week” & Depth Chart (12:30–13:00)

• Norvell called the upcoming week “move week” — finalizing depth chart and personnel.
• Week 0 (or Week 1) projected depth chart expected soon.
• 17 days until New Mexico State.

FanDuel Segment – FSU vs. New Mexico State (13:00–14:40)

• FSU -31.5 favorites (juiced to -114).
• Moneyline: -10,000.
• O/U: 52.5.
• Gus: FSU should score plenty; question is how many points New Mexico State gets. Expects Tony White’s defense to play aggressively and potentially push for a shutout.
• Thinks Norvell wants to set an early tone after an offseason full of questions — could cover the big number.

Jacksonville Camp Notes (14:40–17:00)

• Two-day practices at UNF.
• Weather joke: Norvell not happy it was beautiful (70s with a breeze) — wanted more heat/pressure to simulate Doak Campbell.
• Defense won Day 1; offense stepped up Day 2.
• Again, defense “night and day” vs. last year.
• Ashton Daniels “exceptional” holding onto the ball except for one play Norvell kept referencing (“he knows which one”). Gus curious if it was a fumble or INT given Daniels’ past ball-security flashes at Stanford/Auburn. Overall positive on ball security.
• Gus (who also covers Auburn) remains high on Daniels based on film, not just box scores.

First Scrimmage (Tuesday) Standouts & Overall Fall Camp Themes (17:00–21:30)

• Usman Kroma continues to impress — could seize the starting RB job with Wisner as the change-of-pace/3rd-down back.
  • Chris Jones called Kroma the best back he’s seen in college (high praise).
• Makai Danzy: Norvell seeing real development as a true receiver (not just athlete). Track speed + size still there; coming off strong Week 1 last year vs. Alabama.
• Ashlyn Barker at the rover (hybrid safety/linebacker/nickel) role under Tony White — potentially a great fit given LB room questions.
• Major camp standouts so far: Usman Kroma, Chris Jones, Jason Lopez.
• Defensive line remains the clear strength of the team (and defense). Deep with returning vets, young talent with something to prove, and transfers. Nazeer twins retained after portal entry (NIL “re-signing”).
• Depth chart should arrive within a week or so.

Closing (21:30–end)

• Upcoming: 2028 recruiting update video (recruiting has slowed but some FSU news remains).
• Like, comment, subscribe.
• Follow: Voice of College Football Florida State + @theVOCFB (X, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok).
• Gus: @ByGusWilson (all platforms) + GusWilsonTalksBall on TikTok.
• New VOCFB 365 channel: broader college football talk 3x/week.
• “Hope everyone has a great rest of your week. We’ll see you next time.”

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Intro & Show Setup (0:00–1:20)

• Welcome to Florida State Seminoles Primetime Live. Jacob is out of town; Jackson running the show solo.
• Topics previewed: training camp/scrimmages (FSU practicing at UNF in Jacksonville), 2028 recruiting news, Tommy Castellanos situation.
• Standard calls to action: subscribe, hit the bell, comment, check TikTok/Instagram/X pages.

Training Camp & Depth Chart Updates (1:20–10:40)

• Running backs: Controvion Wisner sat out the first scrimmage at Doak Campbell (injury details TBD; Mike Norvell expected to address). Usman Korma took first-team reps. Sam Singleton Jr. having a strong camp—looking stronger, cut up, projected kick returner. Special teams notes: Jason Lopez and Javon Bogues competing for punt return.
• First scrimmage completed Tuesday. Two practices at UNF; next scrimmage Sunday, Aug. 9 (weather permitting). OC Tim Harris Jr. called Wisner’s issue “minor.”
• Quarterbacks: Malachi Marshall held out of Tuesday scrimmage (arrived late to Tallahassee). Kevin Sperry has the experience edge and knows the playbook; Marshall viewed as higher upside talent. Jackson downplays concerns about lack of competition for Ashton Daniels—evaluate once the season starts.
• Defense: Heavy praise for the Desir twins (Mandrell and Darrell) after body transformations. Front seven depth highlighted (Kevin Wynn, Daniel Lyons, Ryland Kennedy—who “ragdolled” a player in camp—plus Deontay McRae, Jordan Sanders). DC Tony White called the first scrimmage the cleanest he’s seen defensively (few missed tackles). Accountability and culture emphasized (KJ Kirkland and others calling out teammates).
• Secondary: Jabril Rawls earning major praise and the nickname “Black Mamba.” Blue Adams (CBs coach) using Jalen Ramsey film for physicality examples. Rawls’ 2025 production noted (40 tackles, 2 TFL, INT, FR in only 7 starts). Depth behind him (including Jeremy Jones returning from injury). Multiple leaders in the secondary rather than one dominant voice.

Preseason Coaches Poll – FSU’s 13 Receiving Votes (10:41–15:10) [Main Focus Segment]

• Coaches Poll released; AP Poll expected around Aug. 17.
• Florida State received 13 receiving votes.
• Jackson’s reaction: Surprised they got any votes at all given the narrative around the program (back-to-back losing seasons, 7-17 over last two years, no road wins since Nov. 25, 2023, Norvell’s ACC record 22-26).
• Comparisons that don’t add up for him:
  • Georgia Tech projected higher in ACC but only 13 more votes than FSU.
  • Virginia (projected top-7/10 in ACC) has 40 votes—27 more than FSU.
  • FSU has more receiving votes than Pitt (whom many expect to be better).
• Technically places FSU as the ~40th-ranked team in the country via receiving votes.
• Jackson finds the poll inconsistent: media projects FSU 11th in the ACC and questions the roster/schedule, yet some voters still gave them points. He personally wouldn’t have given FSU receiving votes based on recent results and offseason talk.
• Counterpoints he acknowledges: close losses last season (4 of 7 losses by one possession; 1-7 in one-score games over last two years), new transfers, returning pieces, and the “wild card” nature of the program (“really good or really bad—no in-between”).
• Overall take: Not mad about the votes; can give fans a small confidence boost that not everyone has written the team off. Still views FSU as a major unknown. Asks viewers to comment whether the Seminoles deserved the 13 votes.

FanDuel Odds Segment – SMU vs. FSU (15:10–17:40)

• Pulls up FanDuel lines for the SMU game (expected to be one of the biggest of the season).
• SMU -1.5 / FSU +1.5; FSU moneyline +100; over/under 53.5.
• SMU ranked No. 20 in Coaches Poll. Jackson finds the spread surprisingly tight given the ranking disparity and FSU’s projected ACC finish. Expected a bigger number (at least -6.5 or so for SMU).

2028 Recruiting – Chase Brown (17:40–22:30)

• Only two commits in the 2028 class so far (one TE + safety Chase Brown).
• Brown (3-star athlete, Ruskin, FL / Leonard HS; 6-1, 165) committed June 11, 2026, but has scheduled five gameday visits this season: FSU (Aug. 29), Florida (Sept. 5), Louisville (Sept. 19), LSU (Oct. 10), North Carolina (Oct. 24).
• Jackson finds the visits after a commitment “weird/alarming” and mixed-signal. Emphasizes the need to keep him—versatile two-way player, local, still developing, could rise in rankings. First visit is to FSU; wants the staff to lock him in then. Notes offers from the schools he’s visiting.

Tommy Castellanos Situation (22:30–28:20)

• Former FSU QB pursuing legal action against the NCAA (in Texas) to secure a fifth year of eligibility and access to the transfer portal.
• Background: Part of the 2022 class affected by the Colorado injunction granting an extra year. He declared for the draft, missed the January portal window, attended Dolphins minicamp as a receiver. Court ruling gave eligibility but did not automatically reopen the portal.
• Current status: Can return to FSU but the roster/QB room is set; receiver fit also unclear. Lawsuit seeks portal entry so he can transfer elsewhere. Jackson expects him to eventually get portal access. Only path back to Tallahassee is if the lawsuit fails and he still wants to play this season. Norvell has spoken generally about compliance conversations with former players regarding the eligibility situation.

Deuce Robinson Preseason Honors (28:20–33:20)

• Sweep of recognition: Maxwell Award watch list, Sporting News Preseason All-American, Preseason All-ACC, first-team Academic All-American (first FSU player since Dustin Hopkins in 2012; only ninth in program history).
• Jackson’s view: Best player in the ACC and one of the top players nationally. Mild surprise he wasn’t first-team All-American somewhere. Strong 2025 production (first 1,000-yard receiver at FSU since 2019, multiple 100-yard games, elite yards-after-catch and big-play numbers). Expects even bigger numbers with Ashton Daniels (better pure passer than Tommy Castellanos). Projects potential first-round (possibly top-15/20) if he has a big year and enters Heisman conversations. Robinson returned to help the team reach January.

Close & Outlook (33:20–end)

• ~23 days until the season opener vs. New Mexico State at home (Aug. 29/30 window). Jackson hopes to attend and cover.
• Plans to track recruiting (including Chase Brown’s FSU visit) and other gameday visitors.
• Final CTAs for socials and thanks for watching.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overview

Training camp is underway in Tallahassee amid extreme heat. The hosts express relief that football is back (even if only via social media highlights so far) and dive into recruiting news, the perceived disrespect in the ACC preseason poll, key position battles, player motivation as underdogs, major facility upgrades totaling roughly $400M+, rivalries, and historical player debates. Overall tone is cautiously optimistic: the roster has more talent and motivation than outsiders credit, with a realistic path to 7–8 wins if execution improves.

Key Recruiting Note

• Four-star edge Mesh Dobson (Fort Lauderdale area, ~6'3", 235 lbs, top-60 nationally) committed to FSU (per Zach Blostein/247Sports). He reclassed from 2028 to 2027—the second recent reclass after Zakara Johnson.
• Hosts view him as a quality get who can rush the passer and add star power to the class. Discussion on reclassifications concludes they are usually positive (players who reclass tend to be physically/mentally ready) but remain case-by-case; success depends on the program’s depth chart and the player’s readiness rather than any universal trend tied to powerhouses.

ACC Poll & Expectations

• Preseason ACC poll has Miami as the favorite; FSU is projected 11th yet received three first-place votes (one of the few teams outside the top 10 with any).
• Hosts call the ranking and ~5.5-win total “insane disrespect.” They argue the roster (led by Deuce Robinson, viewed as one of the ACC’s best players) warrants at least a top-7 projection and higher ranking than teams like NC State.
• Schedule is tough (Alabama, SMU, Miami, Clemson, Pitt, Florida). Early odds showed SMU only a small favorite (~-1.5), which the hosts see as evidence FSU is closer to contending than the poll implies.
• Realistic outlook voiced: 7–8 wins is attainable if the team stays competitive and beats the more winnable games (New Mexico State, Central Arkansas, Boston College, potentially Pitt/Florida/Clemson/SMU). Alabama is acknowledged as a steep climb.

Training Camp Focus Areas

• Running backs: Wide-open competition among Wisner, Corma, and Sam Singleton Jr. (looking especially fast early). Expect a committee or a clear leader to emerge; New Mexico State (big favorite) will be a showcase opportunity.
• Defense: High promise. Praise for Chris Jones, returning contributor Jabril Rawls (some calling him a sneaky first-round corner prospect), and the Desir brothers. Freshman safety Chauncey Kennedy (four-star) is highlighted as a potential long-term difference-maker in the Derwin James mold due to physicality, speed, and developmental runway. Ashlyn Barker also noted for intense offseason work.
• Offense: Ashton Daniels receiving strong leadership praise from Mike Norvell. Malachi Danzy has improved stop-start explosiveness significantly and is eyed for a breakout. True freshmen WRs Devin Carter and Jason Lopez could play big roles. Tight ends are drawing internal raves. Third WR spot and OL movement remain questions. Tom Herman’s presence is viewed positively for additional input.
• Injuries to monitor: Javon Bogues and Makai Gaber limited but expected ready for Week 0; freshman Cam Brooks recovering from Achilles (possible late-season return).
• Atmosphere: Players described as “pissed off” and motivated by low external expectations. Deuce Robinson’s return (instead of NFL) is cited as evidence of buy-in to make FSU relevant again. Heat has been brutal (mid-90s+), but the group is handling it. Anquan Bolden visited camp and spoke to the team—seen as valuable motivation from a program legend.

Facilities & Program Investment

• New Dunlap Football Operations Center (~$138.6M): Indoor turf, recovery amenities (cold/hot plunge), film room adjacent to walkthrough space for rapid installation, and overall quality claimed to rival or exceed many NFL facilities and rank among the best in college football.
• Doak Campbell Stadium overhaul (~$265M): Capacity reduced from ~79k to ~67k to prioritize premium seating/revenue. Hosts note the economics (premium experiences drive far more value) while acknowledging the trade-off for general fans. New arrowhead/entrance features and displayed “rocks” (rivalry symbolism) also praised.
• Combined investment approaches/exceeds $400M. Consensus: elite facilities should aid recruiting (especially in-state five-stars) and player development, though on-field results will determine whether boosters and momentum fully follow. Previous facilities were underwhelming by comparison.

Rivalries & Culture Notes

• Quick poll-style discussion: Hosts lean toward players (and themselves currently) hating Miami more than Florida—driven by ACC competition, recent rankings/performance, and historical intensity (though Florida still carries weight, especially in recruiting). Comments and chat mixed; some still prioritize the in-state Florida rivalry.
• Broader sentiment: Fans need more belief. The underdog role removes pressure and could be advantageous if the team responds.

Greatest Seminole Debate (Light Segment)

• Jackson leans Dalvin Cook (rushing records, four years, national title contribution, personal favorite). Other names floated: Jameis Winston (Heisman, leadership; recent comments clarifying the “crab legs” incident as a compliance-driven admission to avoid suspension), Anquan Bolden, Deion Sanders, Charlie Ward.
• Kicker aside: Roberto Aguayo’s college accuracy record vs. Sebastian Janikowski’s overall legacy/draft pedigree.

Closing

Hosts promote new show social accounts (TikTok, Instagram, X/Twitter) for clips and urge follows of @JSmithSports and @JacksonBurleson. Next full episode planned for the following Tuesday (one host unavailable the intervening week due to a recruiting symposium). Sign-off: Go Noles.

Bottom line from the show: Camp energy and facilities are strong positives. Talent and motivation exist to outperform the low preseason bar, but the product still has to show up on the field after recent lean years.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Gus Wilson and Cole Kruger. Sponsored by FanDuel. Episode focuses on fall camp notes, open practice previews, and a buy/sell segment on 2026 FSU takes. Chat engagement (notably from R.A. Nixon) leaned heavily critical of Mike Norvell.

Context / Openers

• First day of fall camp complete; first media-open practice Friday.
• Eyes on Ashton Daniels (positive Norvell comments; solid throw to Deuce Robinson), defensive line rotation (Mandrell Desir expected prominent; Diamante Diggs, Kevin Wynn, Daniel Lyons, depth like Daryl Desir/Deontay McCray), offensive line starting five (Chaplin likely LT; guards/RT fluid with portal and holdovers like Jaden Todd/Andre Otto), WR3 battle (Deuce Robinson + Makai Danzy locked 1-2; candidates include Devin Carter, Jason Lopez, Javen Boggs or more two-TE looks), and RB splits (Weisner vs. Cromer/Croma).
• Consensus vibe: Believe more in the talented roster than in Norvell. Roster talent is underappreciated after recent years; Norvell has given little reason for confidence.

Main Segment: Buy or Sell Takes

1. FSU vs. SMU (Week 1, Labor Day Monday night, home) is the most impactful/crucial game of the 2026 season FanDuel opening line roughly pick’em / FSU +1.5.

• Cole: Buy. Ranked opponent, early ACC test after New Mexico State. Sets tone/momentum heading into Alabama; similar “how good are we?” feel to past Labor Day spots. SMU viewed as top-3 ACC.
• Gus: Buy. Most crucial (if not absolute most impactful). Loss creates negative momentum into Alabama and first ACC game; win builds foundation. Last year’s similar perception of both programs adds intrigue.

2. FSU beats at least one ranked opponent (current ranked slate: Alabama, SMU, Miami, Louisville)

• Gus: Sell. SMU could be close, but the other three are road games and poor matchups for this roster.
• Cole: Buy (risky/boom-or-bust). Banks primarily on SMU at home; secondary opportunities if Virginia or others are ranked. Expects motivation and a ranked win to open ACC play.

3. Ashton Daniels starts every game in 2026

• Both: Sell. Injury risk (mobile QB who will take hits) or performance/benching. Expect looks for Sperry and/or Malachi Marshall (especially later if season goes poorly or Norvell’s status changes). Gus wants to see Marshall; best-case Daniels success would be a positive sign for the season overall. Daniels’ tape (esp. Vanderbilt/Alabama games) is better than pure “journeyman” stats suggest in the modern portal era.

4. An FSU player receives Heisman votes (first since Jordan Travis 2022)

• Gus: Sell. Deuce Robinson is the most realistic candidate for any consideration if he plays at an elite level; Daniels has the highest FanDuel Heisman odds on the roster but still long. No realistic defensive candidates.
• Discussion leans skeptical of meaningful votes but notes it would be nice for national attention.

5. Duce Robinson posts 1,000+ receiving yards in back-to-back seasons (first since Rashad Greene 2013–14)

• Both: Buy. Elite size/speed/athleticism + growing connection with Daniels. Top-3/4 WR talent nationally; offense should feature him heavily. Injury is the main risk. Path to early-round NFL draft status. Gus expects similar or cleaner production than last year with a more stable offense.

6. An FSU defender reaches double-digit sacks (last: Jermaine Johnson 11.5 in 2021; Mandrell Desir led with 6.5 last year in limited starts)

• Both: Buy. Mandrell Desir is the favorite in a larger role. Strong DL talent and rotation should create more opportunities. Even 9–9.5 would be encouraging.

7. Usman Cromer (Croma/Chroma) leads the team in rushing yards

• Both: Buy. More talented/higher-ceiling than Trey Weisner at this stage; expect roughly 50/50 or Cromer-leaning committee. Projection ~750–850 yards for Cromer (Weisner 500–700 range; Daniels also a factor as a bigger mobile QB than Castellanos). Power running fits well. Castellanos led last year with 557; Cromer’s 408 came in a reduced role.

8. FSU finishes top-4 in the ACC (no divisions)

• Both: Sell. Too many stronger or sneaky ACC teams (Miami, SMU, Pitt, Virginia, Louisville, possibly Virginia Tech/Wake Forest, etc.). More likely mid-pack (closer to 7–8) or 3–5/4–4 conference record. Not enough to crack top 4.

9. FSU is bowl-eligible (6+ wins) FanDuel over/under 5.5.

• Cole: Buy. Roster too talented not to find six wins (circle a couple easy ones and grind four more).
• Gus: Sell. Projects another 5–7 (or tight 5–7 / 6–6). Sees four relatively clear wins (New Mexico State, Central Arkansas, Boston College, possibly NC State) but is high on several ACC opponents and notes tough road spots (Alabama, Louisville, Miami, Clemson) plus Florida’s upward trajectory under Summerall. Talent is present; maximizing it under Norvell is the issue.

10. Mike Norvell is still FSU’s head coach on the sideline for the season finale vs. Florida

• Gus: Sell. “Norvell experiment is over.” Another 5–7 or 6–6 makes it hard to keep him through the Florida game; buyout (~$47M this year, declines later) is the main complication. Hottest seat (or near it).
• Cole: Buy. Program has enough residual respect from the two good years that they likely let him finish the season (unless a disastrous stretch, e.g., heavy losses around the Miami/Louisville window into the bye). Moves would come after the season. Both expect he is unlikely to be coach in 2027. Potential mid-season firing window discussed around the Miami game / bye if results collapse early.

Closing Notes

• Schedule difficulty and ACC strength of competition drive much of the skepticism on team-level outcomes despite individual talent optimism (Robinson, Desir, Cromer, Daniels upside, DL depth, etc.).
• Replacement talk (if/when Norvell is moved on): Big-name options who might become available (e.g., Luke Fickell style) more realistic than pulling a successful SEC coach; resources/money constraints noted. Silverfield-type “Memphis” path not preferred.
• Strong push for likes/comments/subscribes; content ramping up with season approaching. Follow VOCFB / hosts’ socials.

Overall tone: Optimistic on several individual/player outcomes and roster talent; more measured-to-pessimistic on team results, bowl eligibility, ACC standing, and especially Norvell’s future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Main Highlight: Deuce Robinson on Urgency for FSU

• Core Quote/Theme: Deuce Robinson emphasized a strong sense of urgency for the Florida State program. He stated they "feel the urgency and we can't be down anymore" and that "it's not in my DNA to lose this much."
• Robinson is portrayed as a leader on a mission this offseason. He returned instead of entering the NFL draft to help revitalize the program and restore FSU to the top of college football.
• He wants to see Tallahassee "in a good place" and is excited about the offensive side of the ball. Host notes Robinson gives "Dez Bryant vibes" with his physicality, 50/50 ball skills, and leadership.
• Emphasis on no excuses for 2026: New practice facility and stadium renovations are complete. The team must capitalize on this.

Other Key Topics Covered

• Recruiting Win: Commitment of 4-star safety Tayshaun Poole (Class of 2027, #4 nationally at position). Big flip over Georgia/Tennessee; 10th defensive player in class. Host praises his versatility, tackling, field awareness, and historic significance for his high school (first Power 4 commit from Howard HS).
• ACC Media Days: Comments from Mike Norvell, Ashton Daniels, Duce Robinson, and Jabril Rawls. Praise for Daniels' leadership and experience.
• 2026 Season Outlook:
  • Tough schedule (e.g., SMU, Alabama, etc.), but several "gimme" games.
  • Win total odds (via FanDuel): Over 5.5 wins at -152 (host finds this disrespectful/low; believes 7-8 wins possible).
  • Mike Norvell discussion: High salary/buyout (~$51M), play-calling duties returning. Host believes progress (bowl game + wins >5) keeps him safe, but urgency is real after recent poor seasons.
• ACC Tiebreakers: New system (head-to-head + Team Success Ranking/TSR + body of work) to avoid last year's 5-way tie chaos (e.g., Duke over Miami). Host critiques it as still complicated, especially with uneven schedules and Notre Dame's influence.
• Freshman Watch: Jansen Lopez (CBS Sports breakout freshman pick) — athletic 2-sport star with strong high school production; expected to contribute at WR and possibly special teams alongside others like Malachi Danzy and Devin Carter.

Host Tone & Closing

• Optimistic but realistic about FSU's talent and need to "finish" games.
• Calls for fan engagement (subscribe, comments, etc.).
• Training camp starting soon; excitement building for the season.

These notes capture the Duce Robinson urgency segment as the emotional core, alongside broader recruiting, coaching, and conference context. The episode runs ~30+ minutes based on the transcript. Great fan-focused breakdown for Noles supporters!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overall Episode Summary

The episode opens with casual chat (baseball, All-Star Game, World Cup) before diving into ACC Kickoff Media Day highlights from FSU representatives (Mike Norvell, Ashton Daniels, Jabril Rawls, Deuce Robinson). Key themes: roster experience/veteran leadership (especially Deuce Robinson), the Tom Herman hire as an "assistant to the head coach," Norvell's job security comments, a smaller 2027 recruiting class due to retention, and updated FanDuel win totals. The main segment ranks the top 10 most impactful players for the 2026 season (not pure stat projections, but overall team impact). Strong emphasis on returning talent, defensive line rotation, and offensive skill players.

Runtime context: ~55 minutes. Energetic, fan-focused discussion with predictions, media day quotes, and gambling nods.

Key Timestamps & Highlights

• 00:00 – 00:03: Intro, hosts greet, casual open (baseball shoutout to Jordan Walker).
• ~00:03 – 00:15: ACC Kickoff overview + major rule change (championship to two most deserving teams). Roster experience emphasized across the board.
• ~00:15 – 00:25: Praise for Deuce Robinson’s leadership/impact (locker room voice, mentoring Ashton Daniels, captain candidate). Norvell & Daniels highlight his "DNA" all over the team.
• ~00:25 – 00:35: Tom Herman hire discussion. Norvell notes Herman’s prior shadowing; comparisons to Gus Malzahn; mixed reactions (shock, "life raft" jokes, but potential situational/offensive value). Title "assistant to the head coach" gets Office memes.
• ~00:35 – 00:45: Norvell quotes on job security ("I don’t fear failure. I fear regret") and fan disappointment ("words don’t matter, it’s about action"). Hosts call some of it coach-speak but appreciate blocking out noise and team mindset.
• ~00:45 – 00:50: Recruiting update – Zachary Johnson (4-star athlete/DB, reclassified) commitment makes it 14 in 2027 class. Potential DeShaun Poole commitment soon.
• ~00:50 – end of main discussion: FanDuel segment (win total moved to 5.5, under previously favored at 6.5). Comparison to 2022 10-win team.
• ~Main Segment (latter half): Top 10 Most Impactful Seminoles for 2026.

Top 10 Most Impactful Seminoles for 2026 (Combined/Consensus Notes)

Hosts shared similar but not identical lists. Focus: experience, leadership, positional impact, upside predictions in Norvell/White schemes.

Gus Wilson’s List (approximate order from discussion): 10. Daryl Desir (DL rotation) 9. Ryland Kennedy (athletic pass-rush/hybrid chess piece) 8. Travion Wisner (RB, 1A/1B backfield) 7. Makai Danzy (ultimate chess piece, electric playmaker) 6. Uzman Kroma (thunder in RB room) 5. Chris Jones (LB leader/tackle machine) 4. Ashton Daniels (QB1, mobility/playmaking) 3. Jabril Rawls (shutdown corner potential) 2. Mandrell Desir (DL disruptor, high ceiling)

1. Deuce Robinson (WR1, leader, offense centerpiece)

Cole Kruger’s List (approximate): 10. Kevin Wynn (DT, weight loss/rotation upside) 9. De’Zerian Riles (TE blocking + hands) 8. Ashton Barker (secondary chess piece, blitz specialist) ... (similar top end with Danzy high, Jones ~5, Kroma ~5, etc.) Top 2–3 align closely with Gus (Desir/Robinson emphasis).

Consensus Standouts:

• Deuce Robinson (#1 both): Leadership, production (1,000-yard receiver), mentoring, off-field presence. Future 1st-round talent.
• Mandrell Desir (#2 both): Explosive DL production as freshman; sack artist with NFL upside.
• Jabril Rawls & Chris Jones: Defensive anchors/leaders.
• RB Room (Wisner/Kroma): Thunder & lightning potential; strong committee.
• Ashton Daniels: Improved confidence post-media day; mobility key for offense.
• Skill/Utility: Makai Danzy as hybrid playmaker.

Honorable mentions: Ashton Barker, Kevin Wynn, others in secondary/DL rotation.

Key Insights & Analysis

• Roster Vibe: Heavy returning experience (2024–2025 transfers now veterans) should help stability vs. prior turnover.
• Offense: Mobile QB (Daniels) + strong RBs/WRs (Robinson, Danzy) + TE blocking could mimic successful prior schemes.
• Defense: Tony White scheme benefits from rotation, chess pieces (Kennedy, Barker), and vocal leaders (Jones, Rawls).
• Optimism Level: Cautious positivity. Media day boosted confidence in culture/leadership, but realistic on win total around 5–6.
• Recruiting: Smaller class due to retention; focus on quality Florida/in-state talent.
• Broader Context: Tom Herman as experienced sounding board; blocking external noise critical after tough recent seasons.

Notable Quotes

• Norvell on Deuce: “You can see Deuce Robinson’s DNA all over this football team.”
• Norvell on job: “I don’t fear failure. I never have. I do fear regret.” / “In reality, the words don’t matter. It’s about action.”
• Daniels/Robinson mutual praise: Strong leadership/mentorship comments.
• Hosts on Herman: Comparisons to Malzahn; “life raft” jokes but value in perspective.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1. Introductions & Personal FSU Stories (0:00 - ~3:00)

• Jackson Burlison intro: Grew up FSU fan due to his dad's Air Force stationing; immersed during the Jameis Winston era.
• Best experiences: Burlison hasn't attended a game yet (bucket list for 2026, targeting SMU or New Mexico State); highlights the 2013 Auburn championship game and Calvin Benjamin catch. Jacob mentions the emotional 2024 Alabama upset.

2. Tom Herman Hiring (Main focus ~4:00 - ~15:00)

• Herman joins as offensive assistant (not OC) after Gus Malzahn's retirement.
• Discussion of Herman's track record: Success at Houston (13-1) and Texas (Sugar Bowl), struggles at FAU and as Texas HC.
• Is he the answer? Both hosts see it as a solid, experienced addition for another set of eyes on the offense. Potential influence on Tim Harris Jr.'s offense; hope he helps with close-game execution (FSU was poor in one-score games last year).

3. 2025 Season Reflections & Program Standards (~10:00 - ~20:00)

• Last year's close losses (Virginia, Miami, Pitt, etc.) and defensive woes.
• What is the FSU standard? National championship expectations historically, but realistically: Make a bowl game after two poor seasons (combined ~7 wins).
• Recruiting concerns: Lack of 5-star talent; comparisons to Miami's turnaround.

4. 2026 Schedule, Predictions & Roster Outlook (~20:00 - end)

• Brutal schedule: Monday/Friday games, many top ACC opponents from prior year.
• Win total predictions: Hosts range from 6-6 to 7-8 wins; expected losses to Miami, Clemson, Alabama, Louisville; winnable games vs. Boston College, NC State, possibly SMU.
• Key Players:
  • Deuce Robinson: Focal point of offense; Heisman potential if he has a monster year (1,500+ yards, TDs).
  • QB Ashton Daniels: Questions on consistency, anticipation; different personality from Tommy Castellanos.
  • Transfers: Quintrevion Wisner (RB), Xavier Chaplin (OL), defensive additions like Chris Jones, Makai (various), etc.
• Defensive concerns: Pass rush, depth, transitions from lower levels.
• Offensive line questions and need for better run game/protection.

5. Recruiting & Future

• Breaking news: 4-star athlete Zakari Johnson commits to FSU (corner/safety hybrid potential).
• 2027 targets: Tayshaun Poole (safety) highlighted.
• Basketball sidebar: Positive recruiting class and competitiveness, but football remains king.

6. Broader Program Thoughts

• Make-or-break year for Mike Norvell.
• Ceiling discussion: ACC contention possible with big Duce Robinson/Duce + Daniels year, but tough competition (Miami, Clemson).
• Coaching speculation: If Norvell is fired, hypothetical interest in Jimbo Fisher (mixed opinions).
• Excitement for ACC Media Days and training camp.

Notable Quotes

• On Herman: "He's had success everywhere he's been... hopefully we can get another mind in there." (Burleson)
• On standards: "It should not be the standard... let's just get six wins." (Smith)
• On Deuce Robinson: "He feels like he is going to be the focal point of this offense in so many different ways."
• Closing vibe: Cautious hope — "Go Noles!"

Overall Tone

Optimistic but grounded. Strong chemistry between hosts. Focuses on realistic expectations for a rebuild year while celebrating small wins (Herman hire, recent commit).

Great introductory episode with the new co-host. Ideal for FSU fans wanting analysis on the Herman impact, schedule outlook, and key roster storylines heading into 2026.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Class Overview

• Current Status: 13 commits (5 four-stars, rest three-stars).
• Rankings: 36th nationally, 8th in ACC (third-fewest commits in conference).
• Comparison: Down significantly from last year’s class (34 commits, finished 2nd in ACC).
• Expected Final Size: Hosts predict 13–15 total commits.
• Key Observation: No five-star commits; heavy reliance on three-stars. Emphasis needed on blue-chip prospects who can contribute early.

Concerns Raised:

• Struggles winning in-state Florida talent (Miami #4, Florida #8 nationally).
• Low commit numbers possibly tied to NIL, program culture/identity, and coach loyalty vs. program loyalty.
• Questions about Mike Norvell’s recruiting track record and player development.
• Many commits from out-of-state (Georgia, Mississippi, etc.).

Defensive Commits (8 players highlighted)

Positions covered: 2 Safeties, 2 Edge, 2 DL, 2 LB. No corner commits yet.

Notable Three-Stars:

• Jamari Foreman (S, Fort Lauderdale, FL) – One of few Florida kids.
• Eric Valks Jr. (DL, Mississippi) – Beat Tennessee.
• Ulrich Johnson III (LB, Kennesaw, GA) – Beat Georgia Tech.
• Jackson Hawley (Edge, Roswell, GA) – Beat Michigan/Georgia; vocal about “bringing this place back.”
• CJ Ahubanwa (Edge, Norcross, GA) – Beat Virginia Tech/Kansas; similar motivational quotes.

Four-Stars (Standouts):

• Anthony Cavallaro (Edge, Largo, FL) – Beat UCF/USF/UF; 6'4", 230 lbs; top-40 edge in FL.
• Jernard Albright (S, Springfield, GA / St. Francis Academy) – Flipped from South Carolina; 6'2", 205 lbs; top-200 player; favorite defensive commit; athletic, versatile.
• Sam Lejeune (DL, Poplarville, MS) – Beat Mississippi State; 6'6", 265 lbs; high-level production + track athlete; one of the top-rated in class.

Defensive Themes: Good size and athleticism; beating Power programs out-of-state; culture-fit quotes from several.

Offensive Commits (5 players)

• Connor Wynn (TE, Jacksonville, FL) – Early commit (sophomore year); 6'5", 235 lbs; limited tape; compared to Chase Lofton.
• Logan Flaherty (QB, Port Charlotte, FL) – Dual-threat; similar style to Kevin Sperry; strong high school stats.
• Majay Thompson (WR, Shelby, NC) – Speedy slot/shifty (4.44 40); track athlete.
• Sean Green (WR, Kingsland, GA) – Four-star; 5'10", 160 lbs; committed over Georgia/Virginia; monitor post-commit visits.
• Jada Miles (RB, Baton Rouge, LA) – Biggest offensive highlight; 6'2", 203 lbs; dynamic, explosive; beat LSU/Ohio State/Auburn interest; great vision/hands; Cam Martin’s first HS commit as RB coach.

Offensive Themes: No offensive line commits (major red flag). Heavy out-of-state focus. Jada Miles seen as potential superstar.

Key Targets / Watch List

• DeJuan Yarbrough (Interior OL, Chandler, AZ) – Composite four-star; announcement July 11.
• Tashaun Poole (S, Macon, GA) – Top-75 player; crystal ball to FSU; potential immediate impact; pair with Albright.
• Chandler Dyson (QB, Warner Robins, GA) – Four-star; FSU was early favorite but Ole Miss/Georgia Tech gaining.

Overall Takeaways & Outlook

• Strengths: Quality over quantity in some spots (Albright, Lejeune, Miles); beating bigger programs on certain recruits; motivational, program-proud commits.
• Weaknesses: Low volume, no five-stars, missing trenches (especially OL), in-state losses.
• Future Needs: Win more Florida battles long-term; add OL and corners; retain high-end commits like Miles/Poole.
• Optimism: Several commits express desire to “bring FSU back”; out-of-state pipeline working in places like Georgia.
• Broader Context: Recruiting tied to on-field success, NIL stability, and program identity under Norvell.

Hosts’ Tone: Balanced but concerned about current trajectory; excited about individual high-upside commits and potential for improvement. Episode mixes recruiting deep-dive with program-level discussion.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger

Date: June 24, 2026 (mid-offseason discussion)

Length: ~35+ minutes

Source: FSU at The Voice of College Football (FSUVOCFB)

Key Takeaways

• Deep dive ranking the top 5 players of the Mike Norvell era at Florida State, factoring in college production, impact on team success (especially 2022–2023), development under Norvell, and NFL performance.
• Consensus top tier: Jordan Travis and Jared Verse as clearly 1–2 (interchangeable).
• Heavy emphasis on the 2023 championship-contending team and defensive stars.
• Additional segments: 2026 season outlook/ceiling, CFB 27 rankings, recruiting teaser, and ACC kickoff notes.

Hosts’ Top 5 Rankings

Gus Wilson’s List

1. Jordan Travis (QB)
   • 3-year starter, second all-time FSU passing yards, tied for second in passing TDs (with Jameis Winston), fourth in rushing TDs.
   • 2022–2023: ~6,000 pass yards, ~600 rush yards, 58 total TDs, 10 turnovers, 21–3 record.
   • ACC Player/Offensive Player of the Year (2023), 5th in Heisman voting despite late injury. Beloved leader and Norvell development success story. Iconic plays (e.g., long TD run vs. Florida).
2. Jared Verse (EDGE)
   • Anchored elite 2023 defense (18 sacks, 29.5 TFL).
   • NFL: 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, multiple Pro Bowls, traded for Myles Garrett (shows elite value). Dominant at next level.
3. Deuce Robinson (WR) — Current Seminole
   • First 1,000-yard receiver since 2019 (Scary Terry era). High-upside talent, projected another big year and top-64 NFL Draft pick. Clears recent WRs like Keon Coleman/Johnny Wilson in production and projection.
4. Jermaine Johnson II (EDGE)
   • One dominant season: 70 tackles, 19 TFL, 12 sacks, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC. Norvell’s first first-round pick. Flashes in NFL despite injuries; recently traded to Titans.
5. Kalen Deloach (LB)
   • 5-year player, 3-year starter, 212 tackles, 24.5 TFL. Standout 2023 (10.5 TFL, 7 sacks, key forced fumble/recovery TD vs. Clemson that helped preserve 13–0 start). Loyal from the beginning.

Cole Kruger’s List

1. Jared Verse (factored in strong NFL success).
2. Jordan Travis.
3. Jermaine Johnson II.
4. Ryan Fitzgerald (K) — Automatic for years, first-team All-American, program leader in many kicking stats, bright spot in rough 2024 season. Storied FSU kicker legacy (Janikowski, Aguayo, etc.).
5. Braden Fisk (DT) — One-year impact at FSU (43 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks) alongside Verse; led NFL rookies in sacks (9); strong NFL start with Rams (now with Myles Garrett).

Honorable Mentions (Both Hosts): Keon Coleman, Renardo Green, Asante Samuel Jr., Azariah Thomas, Trey Benson, Joshua Farmer. Deuce Robinson noted as close but needs one more season for some.

Other Topics Discussed

• 2026 Season Outlook: Ceiling around 8–4 (possibly 9–3); floor ~5–7/6–6. Tough schedule (Alabama + ACC gauntlet). At least 3–4 penciled losses expected. Norvell buy-more-time potential with solid year.
• FanDuel Betting Notes:
  • Over 6.5 wins (+138) highlighted as good value.
  • ACC title odds +4000 (not advised). Gamble responsibly.
• CFB 27 Rankings:
  • Doak Campbell Stadium ranked #21 toughest place to play (hosts argue it deserves top 15 when FSU is elite; criticized several higher rankings like Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma).
  • Deuce Robinson tied for 3rd-highest WR overall (91–92 OVR) — behind only top talents like Jeremiah Smith. Great for dynasty/RTG modes.
• ACC Kickoff Media Event: Norvell attending with Deuce Robinson, Ashton Daniels (projected Week 1 QB), and Jabril Rawls. Seen as logical veteran choices.
• Recruiting Teaser: No live show next week. Deep dive into 2027 class in two weeks (second week of July). FSU gaining traction on some targets; discussion on Tashawn Poole expected.

Closing

• Standard calls to like, subscribe, comment, and follow hosts (@ByGusWilson, @colekru9).
• Emphasis on fan engagement and excitement as the 2026 season approaches.

Overall Tone: Positive nostalgia for Norvell’s best players and 2022–2023 peak, balanced with realistic 2026 expectations and hype for current talents like Deuce. Strong chemistry between hosts with good banter and stats recall. Perfect offseason ranking content for FSU fans.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger

Podcast: Florida State Seminoles Live (presented by FanDuel) / FSUVOCFB (Voice of College Football)

Date/Context: Recent episode discussing 2026 FSU football updates (June 17, 2026).

Overall Summary

Gus Wilson and Cole Kruger discuss recent scheduling announcements for the 2026 season, fan reactions to the neutral-site Georgia game in Nashville (2028), assigned kickoff times, betting odds via FanDuel, and freshmen projected to make immediate impacts. The tone is optimistic about talent but mixed on scheduling logistics and fan travel. They highlight revenue potential, stadium appeal, and depth chart opportunities for young players amid injuries and competition.

1. Scheduling News & Neutral Site Game

• Georgia Series Update (2028): The canceled home-and-home series is replaced by a neutral-site game in Nashville, Tennessee (new stadium). Other considered sites: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa.
  • Reactions: Mixed. Nashville's city appeal (Broadway) and future Super Bowl hosting (2031) praised, but travel inconvenience for fans/students from FSU/Georgia noted. Stadium expected to be excellent. Not ideal vs. Orlando (Camping World Stadium criticized). Fans (especially FSU) upset on social media.
  • Hosts prefer neutral-site openers but question canceling home-and-home for this. Potential as a season kickoff game.

Key Quotes:

• Cole: "Nashville... is going to be beautiful when it's done... But for the average FSU and Georgia fans... it doesn't make a lot of sense."
• Both agree revenue is a plus; excitement may build closer to the game.

2. 2026 Kickoff Times Announced

• Aug 29 vs. New Mexico State: 7:00 PM, Doak Campbell Stadium, The CW.
• Sept 7 vs. SMU: 7:30 PM, Doak, ESPN (Labor Day).
• Sept 19 at Alabama: 3:30 PM, ABC (post-bye).
• Oct 9 at Louisville: 7:00 PM, ESPN (Friday).
• Nov 13 at Pitt: 7:00 PM, ESPN (Friday).
• Nov 27 vs. Florida: 3:30 PM, ABC (Friday).

Unannounced Games: Central Arkansas (Sept 26), Virginia (Oct 3), at Miami (Oct 17), Clemson (Oct 31), NC State (Nov 21). Likely mix of noon/3:30/7:30 based on performance; Clemson/Miami expected primetime.

Reactions:

• Friday games (Louisville/Pitt) and SMU logical for TV.
• UF rivalry on Friday 3:30 PM called "brutal" for travel/tailgating (post-Thanksgiving).
• Primetime opportunities good if team performs; noon possible for lower-profile games.

3. FanDuel Odds (Early Lines)

• vs. New Mexico State: FSU -29.5, O/U 52.5. Hosts see it as large but coverable at home; lean under or NMSU due to spread size. CW PTSD reference (Jordan Travis injury).
• vs. SMU: FSU +2.5 (SMU favored), O/U 54.5. Surprising closeness; expects movement toward SMU. High-scoring potential praised for both offenses.

Gambling Note: Gamble responsibly/legally.

4. Freshmen Projected for Immediate 2026 Impact

Focus on true freshmen with spring buzz, depth chart openings, and athleticism (many dual-sport/track/basketball backgrounds). Emphasis on special teams, rotations, and avoiding redshirts for top talents.

Offensive Side

• Amari Thomas (RB, 5'11", from Mariana, FL): Speedy, shifty; limited RB touches behind transfers/returners but strong candidate for kick/punt returns and 3rd-down/hybrid role. Chose FSU over in-state rivals. Ranked ~#177 nationally.
• Devin Carter & Jasen Lopez (WRs): Standouts in spring (due to injuries); pushing for 3rd receiver role behind Deuce Robinson/Micah Danzy. Four-stars with big-school offers (Carter: Georgia/Bama/Clemson; Lopez: Miami/UF/OSU). Track/basketball athletes; expected playing time/rotations. Short but explosive.
• EJ White (WR, from Vero Beach, FL): Athletic (track hurdles/dashes/jumps); good spring but likely more redshirt candidate. Competes for 3rd WR spot. Chose FSU over Miami/UF/Bama.

Additional: Malachi Marshall (QB, #1 jersey) hyped for arm talent; potential early reps/backup push over Sperry depending on Daniels' play. Summer clips promising.

Defensive Side

• Franklin Whitley (DL, 6'6"-6'7", 265-276 lbs, from Greenville, SC): Four-star with tools for immediate rotation (Tony White praise). Basketball MVP background; effort/execution key. Depth chart room on DL.
• Jordan Crutchfield (DB, 6'3", 217 lbs, from Fort Pierce/Vero Beach area): Size upgrade for secondary; spring surge. Versatile in Tony White's 5-DB sets; potential early snaps if corners struggle (esp. vs. SMU speed). Chose FSU over rivals; track background.

Themes: Spring reps from injuries helped; multi-sport athletes fit scheme. New Mexico State opener as key evaluation game for young talent.

5. Other Notes & All-ACC Mentions (Phil Steele)

• All-ACC Selections: Deuce Robinson (1st team WR), Chris Jones & Jabril Rawls (2nd team), Nate Papp (3rd team OL).
• Surprises: No Mandrell/Darryll Desir; questions on RBs (Kromah/Wisner) and interior line. Deuce praised as elite (potentially better peak than Keon Coleman).

Closing

• Live Wednesdays 8 PM ET. Socials: @byGusWilson, @ColeCrewNine, @TheVOCFB.
• Excitement for 2026 season despite past struggles; focus on offensive firepower and young depth.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overview

Gus Wilson and Cole Kruger break down Florida State's projected 2026 offense position-by-position compared to 2025, then analyze common opponents on the schedule to predict if the Seminoles will perform better or worse. The episode leans optimistic overall on the offense despite some challenges.

Key Position Group Breakdowns

Quarterback Room

• Verdict: Better depth, toss-up on starter output.
• Ashton Daniels (experienced, similar style to Tommy Castellanos), Kevin Sperry, and Malachi Marshall provide stronger depth than the 2025 group (Castellanos, Brock Glenn, Sperry).
• Experience edge to Daniels, but turnover concerns remain similar.

Running Back Room

• Verdict: Biggest upgrade / Clearly better.
• 2026 features a strong "Thunder & Lightning" duo in Quintravion Weisner (proven portal addition) and Usman Chroma (high-upside sophomore).
• Depth includes Sam Singleton. Far superior speed and talent vs. 2025’s Roydell Williams, Gavin Sawchuck, and Jalen Lucas.

Wide Receiver Room

• Verdict: Slight step back in raw talent, but potentially better production.
• Lost high-upside transfers (Lawayne McCoy, Hykeem Williams). Retained Javon Boggs, Deuce Robinson, and Micah Dancy.
• Squirrel White’s minimal 2025 impact (only ~52 yards) means the room may not lose much production. Boggs & Dancy are maturing.

Tight End Room

• Verdict: Better depth and continuity.
• De’Zario Riles expected to mirror Randy Pittman’s blocking-heavy role.
• Stronger backups in Landon Thomas and Chase Lofton (high upside redshirt freshman). Amari Williams was mostly a defensive player.

Offensive Line

• Verdict: Leaning better (50/50 on exact performance).
• Key additions/returns: Xavier Chaplin (blindside) and Andre Otto.
• Deeper guard room and more competition. Hard to evaluate fully without camp/tape, but better anchors than 2025.

Schedule Comparison (Common Opponents)

Focus on whether FSU performs better or worse than in 2025:

• Alabama (Road): Worse — Tough road opener after bye; hard to replicate 2025 home performance.
• Virginia (Home): Better — Revenge game at Doak; Virginia expected to regress.
• Miami (Road): Worse — Miami remains elite; 2025 loss was more lopsided than the score suggested.
• Clemson (Home): Better — Halloween night game in Doak; both programs trending down but easier at home.
• Pitt (Road): Worse — Pitt returns talent and is rising in the ACC; Friday night road game.
• NC State (Home): Better — Very low bar from 2025’s poor performance.
• Florida (Home?): Better — Rivalry game; hard to play worse than recent embarrassments.

Overall Schedule Takeaway: Split decision on common opponents (~3 better, ~3 worse), but home/road dynamics and revenge factor heavily influence outcomes.

Overall Verdict

• Offense in 2026: Better on paper, especially at RB and depth across most groups.
• Running game improvement is the biggest key to success.
• Special teams (not deeply covered) also expected to improve.
• Hosts are cautiously optimistic that FSU will be a more competitive and fun team to watch offensively.

Next Episode: Defensive depth chart and "Better or Worse" analysis.

Recommended Clips / Highlights:

• Running back room discussion (biggest excitement)
• Offensive line uncertainty
• Schedule predictions (Alabama/Miami vs. Virginia/Clemson)

This episode serves as a solid mid-offseason temperature check for Seminoles fans.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Jacob Smith & Gus Wilson Date: ~May 2026 (Tuesday episode) Platform: FSUVOCFB

Quick Summary

A balanced episode covering the end of FSU softball, the start of baseball regionals, early football recruiting updates, and some program culture/NIL talk. Optimistic tone on baseball chances, realistic concern on NIL retention, and light-hearted closer.

Key Segments

1. Softball Season Recap

• Season ended with a loss to UCF in Regional Finals — described as a major letdown given high expectations.
• FSU was viewed as one of the top teams in the country and a potential national title contender.
• Transfer portal concerns: Issa Torres (potentially the highest-paid woman athlete in college sports if she enters) and Mimi Gonzalez announced intent to transfer.
• Outlook: Expect to host regionals again next year; program remains prestigious.

2. NIL & Booster Backing Discussion

• Money is now the dominant factor across college sports.
• FSU has lost developed talent in football, basketball, and softball due to the portal/NIL era.
• Baseball & softball benefit from national prestige, so they don’t need to “overpay” as much as smaller programs, but strong booster support is still essential to retain stars.

3. Baseball Regionals (Tallahassee Regional)

• Seeding: FSU as #10 seed.
• Opponents: Coastal Carolina, Northern Illinois, St. John’s.
• Historical notes:
  • Best record vs. St. John’s (2-1 in 2016).
  • Strong all-time vs. Coastal Carolina (13-1).
  • Very limited history vs. Northern Illinois.
• First game: FSU vs. St. John’s (Friday, 3 PM).
• Format explained: Double-elimination regional (need 4 wins to advance).
• Outlook: Favorable draw compared to some other regions. Northern Illinois & St. John’s are hot (14-6 in last 20), but FSU should be able to advance with strong pitching and timely offense.
• Potential path: Winner of Tallahassee likely faces Alabama region winner in Super Regional; Georgia Tech projected as toughest likely Super Regional opponent.
• Season goal: Making Super Regionals would be a success; Omaha run would be a big win given injuries and inconsistencies.

4. Football Updates

• Recruiting:
  • 2027 3-star QB Logan committed (lifelong FSU fan).
  • 2027 4-star DB Makai Williams (first commit in class) facing strong late pushes from Wisconsin and LSU.
• National Championship Odds (FanDuel): FSU at +50,000 — similar to teams like Georgia Tech, Arizona, etc. Heavy skepticism in the market.
• FSU-Georgia neutral site game (2027): Narrowed to Nashville or Orlando. Hosts lean Nashville for fan split/travel, but Orlando would be a quasi-home game and better for Florida recruiting.
• Mike Norvell: 3-1 vs. SEC teams when not playing Florida. Discussion on not making him the “sole villain” for current struggles — broader issues at play.

5. Light Segment – Basketball Banner

• FSU’s infamous “#4 Final Ranking” banner was removed from the rafters.
• Purchased by Barstool Sports (Big Cat / PFT) from Luke Laux — now generating publicity and potential content.

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Positive: Baseball postseason excitement, recruiting wins, program prestige in baseball/softball.
• Concerned but Hopeful: NIL/booster realities and football perception.
• Strong chemistry between Jacob and Gus; good mix of analysis, history, and fan perspective.

Best for: FSU fans wanting a comprehensive catch-up on spring sports + early football summer buzz.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Norvell is coaching for his job → heavy reliance on veterans/experienced players, limited true freshmen early.
Offense expected to be run-first (Norvell/Malzahn influence), with mobile QB, strong RB room, and play-action.
Depth chart predictions are early (still May); lots of competition expected in camp.
Excitement around skill positions; trenches and QB are key question marks.

Quarterback Room (Starting QB Already Announced)

1. Ashton Daniels (Transfer from Auburn/Stanford): Named starter post-spring. Experience vs. ACC/SEC competition. Mobile, arm talent, but turnover concerns. Short leash expected, especially early. Fits run-heavy scheme.
2. Kevin Sperry (Redshirt Freshman): High-upside recruit. Good arm/speed but turnover issues in spring. Expected to see early reps (esp. vs. weaker teams). Could push for more if Daniels struggles.
3. Malachi Marshall (JUCO #1 QB): Elite arm talent, arrives in summer. High upside; could rise quickly. Not on current depth chart yet.

Key Takeaway: Daniels gets the nod for experience, but Sperry/Marshall provide competition. Run game will ease pressure on QB play. Daniels on a very short leash.
Running Back Room (Major Strength)

Top Two-Headed Monster: Usman Kroma (explosive, patient, downhill) + Quintravion Wisner (speedy, explosive, pass-catching, boundary runner from Texas).
Depth: Sam Singleton (agility/burst, 3rd-down), Jamari Sands (transfer), Amari Thomas (true freshman, high potential but limited early carries).
Coach: New RB coach Cam Martin (strong track record of 1,000-yard rushers).

Takeaway: Thunder-and-lightning duo (Kroma/Wisner) should dominate snaps. Avoid 4-5 man rotation like last year. Mobile QB + RBs = big run-game potential. Expect heavy usage in Week 1.
Wide Receiver Room (Exciting Talent)

X: Deuce Robinson (True Senior) — Prototypical big slot/X (6'6"), 2025 1,000-yard leader, elite athlete/hands. Projected 1st-round NFL talent.
Z: Micah Danzy (Redshirt Soph) — Speedster (track athlete), big-play threat, versatile (motion, backfield). High YPC.
Slot/3rd: Javen Boggs (True Soph, former 4-star) — Talent + size; injury-limited last year but rising.
True Freshmen to Watch: Devin Carter (speed, deep threat, Norvell high praise), Jason Lopez & EJ White (explosive, likely special teams/kick return initially).

Takeaway: Stacked top-to-bottom. Robinson & Danzy take pressure off QB. Motion, play-action, and 12 personnel will feature heavily.
Tight End Room

Projected Starter: Desirio Riles (Transfer, East Carolina) — Athletic, physical blocker.
Key Rotational: Landon Thomas (Redshirt Fresh, athletic, flashes last year), Chase Lofton (tall, injury history but upside).
Philosophy: 12 personnel preferred for run game. Experience + blocking > pure pass-catching.

Takeaway: Talented but fluid. Competition should elevate the group; prioritize in-line blocking for run-heavy identity.
Offensive Line (Big, Bulky, Experience-Focused)

LT: Xavier Chaplin (Transfer, Auburn) — Massive (6'8", 354 lbs), strong blind-side protector.
LG: Andre Otto (Redshirt Junior, captain/leader, local guy).
C: Chavez Thompson (Redshirt Freshman) — Familiarity from spring.
RG/RT: Nate Pabst (Transfer, experienced), Chimdia Nwawu (Transfer), plus depth in Jaden Todd, Paul Bowling, Brayden Joyner.

Takeaway: Huge bodies to dominate trenches. Goal = continuity in starting 5. Leadership from veterans (Otto, etc.). Critical for run success.
Closing Notes & Predictions

Stronger, more experienced offense than recent years.
Identity: Run the ball, use RBs/QB mobility, feature big-play WRs in play-action.
Week 1 (New Mexico State) = big rotation to evaluate depth.
Optimism for skill positions; trenches and QB consistency will decide success.
Next episode: Defensive depth chart + special teams.

Hosts' Socials (from episode):

Gus Wilson: @GusWilson (IG/X), Gus Wilson Talks Ball (TikTok)
Cole Krueger: Links in description (not detailed in transcript)

This episode serves as a solid, player-by-player preseason primer for FSU fans looking ahead to 2026. Great for understanding the projected starters, depth battles, and schematic direction.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Topics & Highlights

1. College Football Scheduling & Promotion

• Strong advocacy for a centralized “Schedule Release Day” (e.g., May 1 or June 1) run by the conference/commissioner instead of schools.
• Compares favorably to NFL schedule release (brilliant marketing despite being predictable).
• Non-conference scheduling is currently chaotic and unfair; centralized system would create more buzz and equity.

2. 2026 Kickoff Times Announced

• Florida-FSU: Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving), 3:30 PM ET on ABC — traditional rivalry spotlight.
• FSU vs SMU: Labor Day weekend, Sept 7, 7:30 PM ET on ESPN — primetime home opener at Doak Campbell.
• Hosts praise early-season national TV spots as huge visibility opportunities when NFL hasn’t started.

3. Player News

• Squirrel White (former FSU/Tennessee WR) forced to retire from NFL due to medical reasons after just two weeks.
• Recruiting: FSU is one of six finalists for 4-star OT Jatori Williams (6'5", 320 lbs, top-100 player, #7 interior OL in Alabama). Commitment date: May 22. Hosts note it would be a big win but a tough pull against Alabama/Georgia.

4. Players to Watch in 2026 Defense (expected bright spot):

• Desire twins (Mandrell & Daryl) — huge retention via new NIL deals; potential All-Americans, edge rushers to replace Daryl Jackson.
• Charles Lester (CB) — hoping for breakout after off-field issues.
• Nehemiah Chandler (portal CB).

Offense:

• Micah Danzy (WR) — elite athlete (track star), ready for bigger role.
• Deuce Robinson (WR) — expected 1A/1B with Danzy.

5. Win Total & Season Outlook

• FanDuel win total: 6.5 (heavily juiced to the UNDER at -164).
• Hosts lean 5-6 wins (possibly 7 max). Schedule viewed as very tough with almost no “gimme” games.
• Early lines speculation: SMU game expected near toss-up or slight SMU favorite on road (home for FSU).

6. Schedule Reality Check

• No easy games; even Virginia, Boston College, Stanford, NC State are dangerous.
• Tough stretch: Louisville-Miami-Clemson.
• Optimistic fan takes (9-3, 10-2) contrasted with more realistic 4-8 / 5-7 projections in chat.

7. Program Direction & NIL Spending

• Discussion of top-10 highest-paid rosters; FSU must commit to elite-level spending to return to prominence.
• Big Ten schools getting ~$95M payouts vs. ACC ~$40M range.
• Need for a coach willing to aggressively spend and recruit at the highest level; “call everyone and make them say no.”

Overall Tone Balanced but realistic. Excitement for individual talent and early national TV games, tempered by acknowledgment of a difficult rebuild year and schedule. Emphasis on long-term culture/spending changes needed beyond just this season.

Signature Closing Routine reminder: FSU shows every Tuesday + Wednesday at 8 PM ET.

Great episode for: Fans wanting early 2026 schedule intel, realistic win projections, and recruiting updates.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overview

Casual, optimistic fan-focused discussion on FSU’s spring/summer sports slate with some football offseason talk. Gus joins from Orlando while on vacation. Light-hearted tone with rivalry banter and realistic expectations.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. FSU Softball (Tallahassee Regional)

• Hosting Jacksonville State, UCF, and Stetson.
• Game 1: FSU vs. Stetson in ~3 days.
• Bracket format discussion (top 2 advance?).
• Strong confidence in FSU winning the regional (“great shot,” “pretty sure-handedly”).
• UCF and Jacksonville State noted as potential threats, especially Jacksonville State’s recent play.

2. FSU Baseball

• Final regular season series: vs. Miami Hurricanes.
• Miami player (Jake Ogden) quote: “I don’t know nothing about him” (Wes Mendez) → played up as rivalry trash talk; hosts laughed at the obvious fake ignorance.
• Prediction: FSU wins the series (not necessarily a sweep); Miami described as “sneaky good.”
• ACC Tournament outlook: Georgia Tech & UNC dominant, but FSU’s hot bats + pitching (Wes Mendez) could surprise.
• NCAA Regional projections: FSU as a #1 seed (9th-best #1), likely hosting Tallahassee Regional. Possible tough opponents (Coastal Carolina mentioned).
• Big What-If: Miles Bailey injury — hosts believe the team would have been a strong Super Regional/Omaha contender with him healthy.

3. FSU Basketball

• Positive news: Regular-season game vs. Florida A&M (Rattlers) in Tampa (date TBD).
• First meeting since 1991 (infamous Charlie Ward brawl referenced).
• Part of a Tampa doubleheader with Florida vs. Miami.
• Excitement for new roster (transfers + freshmen), Luke Laux’s squad, and visibility from the in-state showcase.

4. FSU Football Offseason

• FSU-Georgia home-and-home canceled but neutral-site game still in works (possible sites: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa).
• Hosts support the matchup for resume-building, national TV exposure, and recruiting attention.
• Recruiting update: Jabari Watkins no longer visiting.
• Norvell Discussion: Frank assessment of recent seasons. Emphasis on needing 9–10 wins in 2025 + strong recruiting class. Three straight losing seasons would likely end his tenure. Speculation on replacement process (call big names, etc.).

5. EA Sports College Football Game / Fun Segment

• FSU visited EA Sports facility.
• Highest-rated player predictions: Deuce Robinson expected to lead (low 90s possible); defensive mentions include Rawls, Desir twins, Quintravion Wisner.
• Hopes for improved NIL/transfer portal mechanics and dynasty mode.

Closing

• Hope Miami “learns who Wes Mendez is.”
• Standard “Go Noles!” sign-off.

Overall Tone

Positive on softball/baseball outlook, measured realism on football rebuild, and excitement for basketball visibility. Typical passionate FSU fan podcast energy — fun rivalry jabs, injury what-ifs, and long-term program optimism.

Great episode for fans wanting quick updates on all FSU sports.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Mark Rogers (Voice of College Football) & Gus Wilson (FSUVOCFB / recent FSU graduate)

Length: ~37 minutes

Platform: FSUVOCFB / Voice of College Football

Episode Summary

A candid, in-depth discussion on the current state of Florida State Seminoles football in the post-spring ball period. The conversation covers Mike Norvell’s tenure (make-or-break 2026 season), key transfer portal additions, quarterback battle, position group breakdowns (especially skill positions), recruiting/fan sentiment, historical context, and broader program challenges including NIL/revenue share realities and in-state recruiting struggles. Gus Wilson, who attended every game last season and has deep campus connections, provides insider perspective.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. Introduction & Gus Wilson Background (00:00–01:09)

• Gus is from Key West, FL; transferred from Auburn to FSU (last 3 years); just graduated with a degree in Media Communications.
• Emphasizes that talking FSU football in May shows true loyalty (and possibly insanity).

2. Mike Norvell’s Tenure & Program Trajectory (Main discussion throughout)

• Norvell’s early years were rough (blamed partly on Willie Taggart’s roster), followed by strong 10-3 and 13-1 seasons, then sharp decline post-playoff snub.
• Consensus: 2026 is make-or-break. Leash is shorter than ever. Campus sentiment is ~50/50 on Norvell.
• Salvageable if he shows improvement, especially in big games and play-calling (he’s calling plays this year).
• Win total thresholds debated: Record alone isn’t enough — context (competitive games vs. top opponents, late-season performance, recruiting) matters more.
• Fan vibe issues: Poor attendance late last season, frustration after 3-0 start collapsed.

3. Transfer Portal & Roster Outlook

• Biggest additions highlighted:
  • Ashton Daniels (QB, from Auburn/Stanford): Dual-threat, good tape despite unimpressive box scores. Short leash expected vs. Kevin Sperry. Rushing upside with new RBs.
  • Trey (Quintravion) Wisner (RB, from Texas): Major get; tough, skilled receiver out of backfield. Expected to form elite 1-2 punch with Usman Kroma.
  • Nehemiah Chandler (DB): Instant impact expected in secondary.
• Portal class had initial hype (Wisner) but lacked star power compared to past classes (e.g., Keon Coleman, Jared Verse).
• Wide receiver room remains talented: Deuce Robinson (returned instead of entering draft), Micah Danzy, freshman Devin Carter (impressing in spring, competing for slot snaps).

4. Quarterback Situation

• Ashton Daniels vs. Kevin Sperry (Sperry has familiarity advantage).
• Malachi Marshall (top JUCO QB) — not on campus for spring but intriguing long-term option; smaller frame but strong stats; could factor in if needed later.
• Broader point: Quarterback acquisition/development via portal is now critical to a coach’s success.

5. Program Challenges & Big Picture

• Recruiting: Struggles keeping top in-state talent vs. Florida/Miami. Must improve to sustain success.
• Financial/NIL Context: FSU not as well-positioned as some peers despite brand. Compared to Clemson (similar recent dips but different expectations).
• ACC Outlook: FSU sits 11th in ACC Championship odds (behind Cal, etc.) per FanDuel — shocking given history.
• Atmosphere & expectations: Can’t afford “rebuilding” years. Fans passionate but frustrated; empty stadiums and booing are red flags.
• Historical greatness (Bowden/Fisher eras) creates high standards — recent sub-.500 performance unacceptable long-term.

6. Closing Thoughts

• Emphasis on on-field performance over pure win-loss record for Norvell’s job security.
• Optimism around certain skill players (Wisner, Daniels’ mobility, Deuce Robinson, Devin Carter) but realistic about challenges.
• Invitation for viewers to join future shows (Tuesdays at 8 PM for FSU-specific content).

Notable Tone

Balanced but urgent. Both hosts acknowledge talent pockets and Norvell’s prior success while stressing the need for visible improvement in 2026 to avoid a coaching change. Gus provides fresh, on-campus insight; Mark offers broader historical and national perspective.

Recommended For: FSU fans wanting spring ball takeaways, portal analysis, and honest program evaluation ahead of the 2026 season. Great recruiting/update episode with strong guest chemistry.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Jacob Smith & Gus Wilson

Date/Context: 5/5/2026 Recent episode covering FSU spring/summer sports outlook (baseball, softball, football, basketball). Both hosts recently graduated college.

Overall Theme & Conclusion

The episode explores whether Florida State athletics are rising or treading water. Strong consensus: FSU is on the rise, led by dominant non-revenue sports and a basketball turnaround under Luke Laux. Football lags but shows positive off-field signs, with optimism for a rebound. The hosts emphasize momentum across programs and urge fans to "look out for us this next year and the year after."

Key Segments & Takeaways

1. Baseball Outlook

• Two series left: vs. Clemson, then Miami.
• Recent form: Sweep of Pitt + midweek win over USF = strong momentum.
• Strengths: Hot bats, solid pitching (John Abraham ~1.08 ERA, Wes Mendez ~2.25 ERA).
• Challenges: Inconsistent season overall; impact of Miles Bailey’s early injury.
• CWS Odds: +3500 (8th best per FanDuel) → realistic Omaha path if bats stay hot.
• Draft Prospects: Miles Bailey (high pick despite injury), Chase Williams, Wes Mendez, Jamie Arnold comps. Power-hitting tradition (Cal Raleigh-style) highlighted.

2. Softball Outlook

• ACC Tournament: First-round vs. Notre Dame or Georgia Tech.
• Team is “on fire” all year; recent ACC Pitcher/Player of the Week honors (Jazzy Franchich, Jay Soni Beachum).
• Standout Players: Issa Torres (batting .547, near 1.7 OPS – “absurd” dominance).
• Outlook: Strong shot at Women’s College World Series. Desired matchups: Duke (championship) or Stanford (rivalry test).
• Hosts call it the most exciting program right now.

3. Football Notes

• APR Success: Highest-ever or near-top mark (well above FBS average) — “winning off the field.”
• Recent grads and positive culture under Mike Norvell highlighted.
• Transfer/Recruiting Buzz: Ashton Daniels, Malachi Marshall (weight/bulk questions), 2027 HS class (Makai Williams as potential star safety; Derwin James comps for Williams/Kennan).
• Running back depth (Deuce Robinson, Desiré twins, Quintravious Wisner, Jabril Rawls) projected for future NFL talent.

4. Men’s Basketball Turnaround (Luke Laux Era)

• Massive recruiting jump: From ~144th to 12th nationally in one year.
• Incoming talent: Sebastian Rancic (Kevin Durant comparisons), Shawn Abayev, others forming strong core.
• LeJay Jones: Working out with Knicks; projected 2nd-round pick / strong role player (elite 3PT shooter, 6'7" wing).
• Culture reset in NIL/portal era → March Madness expectations for 2025-26.

5. Broader Athletic State

• Non-football dominance: Baseball, softball, women’s soccer still elite.
• Basketball: Hottest recent turnaround.
• Football: Disappointing 2024, but academics, portal activity, and young talent signal rebound.
• Hosts dismiss “treading water” narrative — football’s size amplifies negativity, but overall program momentum is clearly upward.

Memorable Moments / Quotes

• Abraham’s 1.08 ERA guessing game (Gus kept guessing lower).
• “If the bats get hot… anyone can really win.”
• Softball “different vibe” this year.
• “Jumping 130+ spots in recruiting… and you’re going to tell me we’re not one of the hottest programs?”
• Closing call: “Look out for Florida State sports… we’ll be back on top soon enough.”

Episode Vibe: Optimistic, fan-focused, and conversational. Good mix of stats, analysis, and personal excitement from two recent grads now going full-time on the show.

Recommended For: FSU fans wanting a comprehensive spring update and big-picture optimism heading into summer/fall. Go Noles!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode: 325

Date: April 29, 2026 (pre-2026 season discussion)

Host: Mark Rogers Guests: Cole Kruger (Sports Editor, FSView student newspaper; campus insider), George Georgidies (Renegade Report)

Length: ~52 minutes

Platform: FSUVOCFB / Voice of College Football

Episode Summary

The episode captures the frustrated, pessimistic mood of the FSU fanbase amid ongoing struggles under Mike Norvell. Titled "FAN REVOLT?!?", it serves as a "group therapy session" discussing declining program standards, poor NFL Draft performance, recruiting/portal failures, and low expectations for 2026. Fans are angry but not apathetic — a "revolt" driven by high historical standards clashing with recent mediocrity. The tone is blunt and realistic, with calls for major changes while still rooting for on-field success.

Key Topics & Highlights

1. NFL Draft Struggles & Talent Pipeline

• FSU had only 1 draft pick (Daryl Jackson Jr., 4th round) in the 2026 NFL Draft — the lowest in decades.
• Historic streak: At least one pick every year since 1984, but 4 of last 7 years = just 1 pick.
• Under Norvell: 18 total draft picks (11 transfers). 2023 outlier with 10 (many transfers from prior regimes).
• Comparison: Jimbo Fisher (23 picks in ~4 years); recent classes producing little at NFL level.
• No offensive linemen drafted since 2018 (Rick Leonard). Trenches talent drought is critical.

2. Recruiting & Portal Failures

• Post-2023 playoff appearance: Signed 13th-ranked class heavy on 3-stars; many transferred out.
• Portal: Recent classes largely unsuccessful; can't compete with big spenders.
• High school recruiting: Momentum lost; ship has sailed under current staff.
• Examples: Missed on Cam Ward; low spending (e.g., < $1M on some QBs); transfers from smaller programs.
• Outlook: Even a strong 2026 won't easily flip recruiting/portal momentum in Year 6–7 of Norvell.

3. 2026 Season Expectations & "Fan Revolt"

• Realistic record talk: 5–7 wins possible but challenging schedule (road games vs. Bama, Miami, etc.).
• Best-case: 8–9 wins + quality wins (need to beat 1–2 of SMU/Bama/Louisville/Miami/Clemson) could buy time — but depends on how they win (style, competitiveness, blowouts avoided).
• Worst for program long-term: Mediocre success (e.g., 8 wins) that keeps Norvell → prolonged stagnation.
• Fans want wins but recognize deeper issues (philosophy, administration, AD Mike Alford). Many prefer quick reset over slow decline.
• Home atmosphere suffering: Cheap tickets, low turnout expected after renovations.

4. Roster & Coaching Notes

• Bright spots: Deuce Robinson (potential high draft pick), Trey Wisner, Usman Kroma, Micah Danzy, Daniel Lyons, etc.
• QB: Ashton Daniels named starter (experience preferred).
• Criticism: Norvell's portal/HS philosophy unchanged; development stunted by transfers taking reps from young talent.
• No signs of elite recruiting or portal aggression.

5. Broader Context

• FSU standards (Bowden/Fisher era) vs. current reality: Operating like Syracuse/Boston College level.
• Direct correlation: Recruiting → NFL talent → on-field success.
• Administration fault highlighted; lame-duck feel for Norvell.

Notable Quotes

• Cole Kruger: "FSU has had a player... selected every year since 1984. But four out of the last seven years, FSU has only had one NFL draft pick."
• George Georgides: "We're operating at the level of a Syracuse or a Boston College... The draft is a direct correlation."
• On winning 8 games: "The worst thing that could happen is that this thing works out and you win eight games and somehow they decide to keep him."
• Mark Rogers: Discusses angry vs. complacent fanbase; legacy expectations make this one of the toughest situations in the country.

Takeaways

• Fanbase is in revolt mode due to eroded standards, not total apathy.
• 2026 is pivotal but expectations are tempered; sustained success + recruiting surge needed to save Norvell.
• Program needs philosophy shift, big spending, or new leadership for revival.
• Guests provide strong on-campus + analytical perspectives; episode is raw and honest.

Recommended for: FSU fans seeking unfiltered analysis, recruiting/draft context, and 2026 preview vibes. Next episode planned to dive into QB situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Segments & Highlights

Opening & Guest Intro

• Gus Wilson introduces himself: FSU graduating senior (Media & Communications + Entrepreneurship minor), aspiring sports journalist, excited about Seminoles football.

2026 NFL Draft – FSU Focus

• Daryl (Gerald) Jackson – Sole FSU draftee, taken early 4th round by New York Jets.
  • Gus liked the fit: rotational DT/nose tackle behind Devondre Sweat and veteran Harrison Phillips.
  • Immediate contributor potential due to Jets’ interior DL needs.
  • Continues Jets-FSU pipeline (Hamza Nasiruddin ’21, Jermaine Johnson ’22/’24, Jordan Travis ’25, now Jackson ’26).
• Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs):
  • Jacob Rizzi (OL) – New England Patriots: Versatile (all 5 positions), good chance to make roster amid OL struggles.
  • Jerry Wilson (CB) – Los Angeles Chargers: 4.31 speed at pro day, strong chance in young/athletic secondary.
  • Squirrel White (WR/Returner) – Chicago Bears: Primarily special teams returner upside.
• Tommy Castellanos – Transitioning to WR; invites to Dolphins & Titans (joining Roydale Williams). Athleticism noted, but QB transition struggles common (reference to John Rhys Plumlee).

Broader Draft Reactions

• Quiet draft for FSU compared to recent years; reflects ongoing rebuild after down 2025 season.
• ACC Standouts: Miami & Clemson dominated (multiple early picks).
  • Clemson: Blake Miller, Peter Woods, TJ Parker, etc., despite disappointing season.
  • Miami: Strong haul including Keontae Scott to Buccaneers.
• Notable: Cade Klubnick (Clemson QB) to Jets; Carson Beck (Miami) early 3rd round to Cardinals.

2027 NFL Draft Outlook for FSU

• Deuce Robinson (WR) – Strong first-round candidate; big-bodied X-receiver prototype.
• Desire twins and others expected high if they return.

Current FSU NFL Players Outlook

• Keon Coleman (Bills) – Breakout candidate with full offseason + Joe Brady.
• Trey Benson (Cardinals) – Depth concerns with new additions; possible change of scenery.
• Others: Ryan Fitzgerald (kicker), Brenden Fisk, etc.

2026 FSU Football Season Preview

• Tough schedule: Alabama, SMU, Virginia, Louisville, Miami, Clemson, etc. Multiple Friday/Monday games.
• Gus’s predicted record: 5-7 (realistic ceiling ~7-5, floor ~4-8).
  • Early losses likely (SMU, Bama, Virginia, etc.).
  • Mid-season stretch could trigger coaching changes.
  • Late wins possible vs. Boston College, Pitt, Florida.
• Rebuilding year; not yet back to ACC contention.

Basketball, Baseball & Softball

• Men’s Basketball: Highly optimistic. Strong recruiting/transfer class (local talent + high-level transfers). Luke Laux praised. Potential NCAA Tournament team (8/9 seed possible).
• Softball: Dominant (43-7); Issa Torres breaking records. Strong College World Series hopes.
• Baseball: Struggling after Miles Bailey injury; still expected to make regionals.

Closing

• Gus plugs socials: @byGusWilson (Instagram/Twitter), LinkedIn as Michael Wilson.
• Next episode: Tuesday 8 PM.
• Sign-off: “Go Noles!”

Overall Tone

Positive on individual FSU draft prospects and basketball/softball momentum; realistic/measured on 2026 football expectations during rebuild. Strong chemistry between Jacob & Gus.

Great introductory episode for Gus Wilson — insightful draft analysis and FSU program overview.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Jacob apologizes for sounding sick; hopes viewers are doing well despite pollen.
• References last week's FSU-specific schedule show, where he projected the 'Noles in the 6-6 to 7-5 range.
• Notes the recent naming of Ashton Daniels as FSU's starting QB (veteran transfer from Auburn/Stanford). This has sparked some renewed optimism for a "decent" 2026 season, though outcomes vs. SMU and Alabama will be telling.
• Goal of the episode: Go team-by-team through the ACC master schedule, predict outcomes, and project records. (He uses a visual chart and marks W/L on the fly.)

Key Predictions by Team (Summarized from Jacob's Calls)

Jacob's style is casual and opinionated—he calls out "unlucky schedules," rivalries, and perceived team momentum/transfers. He frequently adjusts on the spot while marking a chart.

Boston College: Struggles heavily. Predicted 2-10. Losses to Cincinnati, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, SMU, Pitt, Duke, Florida State, Notre Dame, Miami. Wins over Maine and Syracuse (home).

Cal: Starts hot but fades (classic Cal trait in his view). Predicted 7-5. Wins over UCLA, Wagner, UNLV, Wake Forest, Virginia, Stanford; losses to Clemson, Virginia Tech, SMU, NC State, Pitt. (He double-checks for consistency.)

Clemson: Strong but not undefeated. Predicted 10-2. Loss to LSU (Brian Kelly gone, but LSU gets it done); demolishes Georgia Southern and North Carolina. Beats most others, including FSU and others in conference play.

Duke: Predicted 6-6. Mixed results—loss to Tulane, loss to Illinois, but wins elsewhere. He likes Georgia Tech more than Duke in their matchup.

Florida State (his team): Sticks close to last week's projection—6-6. Early thoughts: W-L-L-W pattern mentioned; revenge win vs. Virginia; losses to Louisville and Miami; wins over Pitt and NC State; loss to Florida. Optimism tied to Ashton Daniels, but "to be determined" vs. tough non-con (SMU, Alabama) and road games.

Georgia Tech: Predicted 6-6. Wins over Mercer, Stanford, and (surprisingly) Virginia Tech in his final call. Loses five straight at one point but finishes bowl-eligible.

Louisville: One of the stronger teams in his view. Predicted 9-3. Losses to Ole Miss and North Carolina; wins over Villanova, Wake, NC State, FSU, Syracuse, Stanford, Pitt, Kentucky. Solid but not title-contending.

Miami: Easy non-con in his eyes but some weird losses. Predicted 9-3. Beats Stanford, Florida A&M, Wake, FSU, North Carolina; loses to Pitt, Notre Dame, and (randomly) Virginia Tech. Misses CFP in his projection despite strong record.

North Carolina: Predicted 5-7. Loss to TCU (Ireland game), Notre Dame, UConn, Virginia, NC State; wins over Pitt and Syracuse. Falls back to earth.

NC State: Predicted 8-4. Solid mid-tier; beats Cal (cross-country travel advantage), others.

Pitt: Predicted 5-7. Mixed; wins over Syracuse, Bucknell; losses to Miami, etc.

SMU: Predicted 9-3. Strong again—beats BC, Virginia, Wake; losses to Notre Dame, Stanford (LOL call), and possibly Tech. Contender in his eyes.

Stanford: Predicted 3-9. Rough year—win over Hawaii and narrow one over Elon; lots of losses.

Syracuse: Brutal drop-off. Predicted 1-11. Only win over New Hampshire; losses everywhere else (including "for no reason" to Virginia). "Free win nowadays" after being good two years ago and bad last year.

Virginia: Predicted 8-4. Beats Wake, Tech, SMU (in his optimistic calls); solid but not elite.

Virginia Tech: Predicted 9-3. Beats VMI, Old Dominion, Maryland; competitive.

Wake Forest: Predicted 5-7. Wins over Akron, Purdue, Merrimack (miracle?); losses to Virginia, Duke, etc.

Final Projected Records (Jacob's Tally)

• Boston College: 2-10
• Cal: 7-5
• Clemson: 10-2
• Duke: 6-6
• Florida State: 6-6
• Georgia Tech: 6-6
• Louisville: 9-3
• Miami: 9-3
• North Carolina: 5-7
• NC State: 8-4
• Pitt: 5-7
• SMU: 9-3
• Stanford: 3-9
• Syracuse: 1-11
• Virginia: 8-4
• Virginia Tech: 9-3
• Wake Forest: 5-7

ACC Championship: Clemson over Miami (or SMU by miracle tiebreaker). He leans Clemson repeating as champs; Miami falls short despite strong record. Only Clemson as CFP team in his view (9-3 not enough for Miami).

Bowl Teams: Most of the 6+ win teams make it (Cal, Duke, FSU, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, etc.). North Carolina sneaks in as one of the last.

Closing Thoughts (~27:00–end)

• Jacob calls the picks "100% correct" (jokingly).
• ACC overview: Miami is the favorite to "repeat" but has never won the ACC title in program history—the trend continues. Clemson could reclaim it (though Dabo's transfer portal usage is questioned). Wild cards: Louisville or SMU sneaking in; even a 7-5 Duke winning it would be "fun."
• Quick FSU recruiting note: Class looks solid; Ashton Daniels named starter recently—Jacob thinks he'll be "pretty good."
• Thanks viewers; episode 12 already. Plans for a new co-host soon. Subscribe, like, comment on whether his takes are hot, lukewarm, or "freezing cold."
• Sign-off: "Go Noles!"

Overall Vibe

Fun, unfiltered, low-production (chart marking, mic checks, coughs) FSU fan perspective. Jacob acknowledges his predictions can be off (admitted messing up last year) but enjoys the process. Heavy on subjectivity ("for no reason," "by some miracle," "they got nothing").

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Tone and Context: Candid, realistic assessment of FSU football. The program is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons (2-10 in 2024, 5-7 in 2025). The vibe around Tallahassee is described as low, with high expectations for a historic program clashing against recent reality. No spring game was held (consistent with recent trends); the team used three internal scrimmages instead.
• Key Theme: This is a "prove-it" year for head coach Mike Norvell. Heavy reliance on the transfer portal in recent years hasn't yielded sustained success, and in-state recruiting has lagged behind rivals like Miami and Florida. The conversation balances frustration with guarded optimism around talent pockets (especially at wide receiver) and the need for better execution, cohesion, and fundamentals.

Historical Context and What Went Wrong (2023–2025)

• Norvell's Challenges:
  • Not a strong high school recruiter, especially in Florida. Many starters in recent years were portal additions, not "homegrown" or even in-state players.
  • 2023 success (13-1) gave way to struggles. The portal "gave and took away"—athletes from bigger programs often didn't gel or perform at FSU (e.g., Malik Benson barely played but thrived at Oregon).
  • 2024 and 2025 offenses were inconsistent despite additions like Gus Malzahn's influence. Wide receiver room in 2024 was called one of the worst seen in terms of blocking and route-running.
  • Quarterback Issues: DJ Uiagalelei didn't work out. Tommy Castellanos flashed early (notably in the 2025 Alabama upset win, where he showed mobility and the defense flew around), but turnovers plagued him (e.g., crucial picks vs. Virginia and Miami). He pushed out of Boston College and had success on the ground but lacked consistency throwing.
  • Close calls that snowballed: Dropped game-winning TD by Deuce Robinson vs. Virginia; near-misses vs. Stanford; walk-off loss to Georgia Tech in 2024. These "bounces" contributed to lost confidence and poor locker room vibes late in seasons.
  • Defense (under Tony White) started strong in 2025 but collapsed, allowing points in bunches. End-of-season blowout loss to Florida highlighted disarray.
• Program Position: FSU is in a tough spot relative to its history and expectations—not the absolute worst team, but the gap between pedigree and performance feels stark. In-state talent often heads to Miami or Florida; UCF is arguably in a better spot.

Quarterback Situation for 2026

• No starter named after spring (battle likely extends into fall/preseason).
• Ashton Daniels (transfer from Stanford/Auburn): Veteran with dual-threat ability, similar build/style to Castellanos but with a stronger arm. Showed flashes (good games vs. Alabama and Vanderbilt in limited Auburn starts). Has looked solid in spring reps; experience gives him an edge, especially with Norvell coaching for his job.
• Kevin Sperry (redshirt freshman): Good arm, showed potential in limited 2025 action (e.g., vs. Charleston Southern, brief Stanford relief). Has had turnover issues in scrimmages but brings youth and upside.
• Malachi Marshall (JUCO transfer from Iowa Western, arriving summer): National champion, NGCAA D-I Offensive Player of the Year (33 TDs, 8 INTs, 63% completion). Pocket passer with impressive arm talent and some mobility; lighter frame (~<200 lbs). Norvell highlighted him as a name to watch. Could shake up the competition; Cole suggests FSU may need to move away from pure dual-threat QBs after recent experiments.
• Overall: Room needs a strong running game and improved O-line play. Norvell hasn't named a starter, creating intrigue. Daniels seems the safe "prove-it" choice short-term, but Sperry/Marshall could push.

Key Position Groups and Spring Takeaways

• Wide Receivers (Biggest Positive): Strongest/most intriguing group. Deuce Robinson (transfer, ex-USC tight end converted to WR) is a standout—reminds of Keon Coleman; big-play threat, "top 5 receiver in college football" potential. Limited in spring but reliable. Micahi Danzy also returns as a veteran option.
  • True freshmen impressing: Jasen Lopez (dual-threat athlete, also played basketball), Devin Carter (from Atlanta), and EJ White. Norvell praised Lopez and Carter heavily; they're quick, slot-type players who could see early reps. Norvell said they'd "have to regress" not to play in fall. Opportunity for smaller, quicker WRs out of the backfield/slot to create mismatches (pro-style influence noted).
  • Jayvan Boggs was out for spring.
• Defensive Line / Front Seven: Critical for Tony White's 3-3-5 scheme. Need interior pressure (lacked last year).
  • Anchors: Desire twins (Mandrell and Darryll)—high upside, back after portal flirtation.
  • Deamontae McCray and Demonte Diggs (sack in 2025 Alabama game before injury) drawing praise.
  • Linebackers: Caleb Lavelle and Blake Nicholson impressing Norvell (speed, coverage, pressure ability).
• Secondary: Some experience returning (Ashton Barker moving to more of an Earl Little-type anchor role; KJ Kirkland). Barker praised as a potential mentor. Defense generated more turnovers in spring scrimmages than prior year.
• General Spring Focus: Fundamentals, technique, conditioning, depth chart battles. No major spring game for public viewing.

2026 Outlook and Norvell's Job Security

• Schedule: Tough, with few easy games after openers.
  • Home: New Mexico State (Aug 29), SMU (Sep 7, potentially ranked), Central Arkansas (Sep 26), Virginia (Oct 3), Clemson (Oct 31), NC State (Nov 21), Florida (late).
  • Road: Alabama (Sep 19—huge early test), Louisville (Oct 9), Miami (Oct 17), Boston College (Nov 7), Pitt (Nov 13).
  • Bye weeks after SMU and Miami.
• Path to Survival: Norvell is on a very short leash. Ideal start: 3-1 (wins over NMSU, SMU?, Central Arkansas; competitive vs. Alabama). Struggles with cupcakes or a blowout at Alabama could end his tenure quickly (possibly by Week 3 or before October). Losing 4 of first 5-6 ACC games would likely trigger a change (intern/Tim Harris or Tony White step-up speculated).
  • Ceiling: Bowl eligibility possible with talent, but 8+ wins feel optimistic given the slate and recent road woes (last true road win feels distant). No "give-me" games in ACC play; many mid-tier opponents where FSU is at best even.
  • Nuance: It's not just win total—how the team plays (turnovers, effort, late-season vibes) matters. Recent seasons showed early promise fading into checked-out performances.
• Cole's Take: Norvell can't afford to "hand the keys" to a true freshman like Sperry if fighting for his job; experience (Daniels) likely prioritized early. Team has enough pieces for a bowl but needs cohesion.

Closing Notes

• The show positions itself as an ongoing weekly series (aiming for Wednesdays ~p.m. ET). New co-host Cole brings on-campus/FS View perspective alongside Mark's history of FSU coverage.
• FanDuel sponsorship; chat encouraged for questions.
• Overall Vibe: Not overly optimistic ("not great around Tallahassee"), but highlights talent (WRs, certain defenders) and the stakes. "We can get all the content out that we can."

This episode serves as a thorough spring recap and season preview, blending nostalgia for past success (e.g., 2023, the Alabama upset) with frank analysis of structural and execution issues. Future episodes will track the QB battle, fall camp, and early 2026 results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Host: Jacob Smith
• Episode: 11
• Format: Solo show (quick tech hiccup at the start)
• Main Topic: 2026 FSU football schedule breakdown and win/loss predictions
• Tone: Honest, realistic, and fan-frustrated after recent 2-10 and 5-7 seasons. Jacob notes the schedule is tough with "no real breaks" except a few soft non-conference games. He emphasizes uncertainty for FSU fans but highlights spring progress and defensive praise from Tony White.
• Key Theme: Will FSU reach bowl eligibility (6+ wins), or is another sub-.500 season likely? Early optimism for 7 wins has been tempered.

2026 FSU Football Schedule & Jacob's Predictions

Jacob walks through the schedule game-by-game, referencing recent opponent performances (mostly 2025 results). He calls the slate unforgiving outside of a couple of FCS/Group of 5 games.

Confirmed 2026 Schedule (based on the episode and official details):

• Aug 29: vs New Mexico State (Home) — Win (confident; NMSU went 4-8 in 2025 with wins over weak FCS/G5 teams like Bryant, Tulsa, Sam Houston, UTEP; blown out by Tennessee).
• Sep 7: vs SMU (Home) — Loss (SMU was strong in 2025: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in ACC, playoff contender vibe in prior years; lots of winnable games on their slate).
• Sep 19: at Alabama (Away, Bryant-Denny) — Loss (Alabama has a gauntlet but remains an "institution"; no shot at Bryant-Denny).
• Sep 26: vs Central Arkansas (Home, FCS) — Win (decisive; not expecting a Jacksonville State-style scare).
• Oct 3: vs Virginia (Home) — Loss (Virginia was strong in 2025, reached ACC title game, won Gator Bowl; good non-con schedule in 2026).
• Oct 9: at Louisville (Away) — Loss (Louisville had an easy 2025 non-con but went 8-4 or 9-4; tough road game).
• Oct 17: at Miami (Away) — Loss (Miami has owned recent matchups; easy 2026 non-con for them).
• Oct 31: vs Clemson (Home) — Loss (Clemson had a down 2025 but still "owns" FSU historically; rebound expected).
• Nov 7: at Boston College (Away) — Win (BC projected as very weak, possibly 1-11 or 0-12).
• Nov 13: at Pitt (Away) — Loss (Pitt was competitive in 2025; road game in Pittsburgh swings it).
• Nov 21: vs NC State (Home) — Win (flip from earlier prediction; NC State seen as middle-of-the-road).
• Nov 28: vs Florida (Home, rivalry) — Loss (Florida had a rough 2025 but still favored; new QBs on both sides).

Final Predicted Record: 5-7 (no bowl game).

• Wins: New Mexico State, Central Arkansas, Boston College, NC State (+1 more possible flip).
• Earlier prediction was also 5-7; spring scrimmage and transfer portal activity didn't change the overall outlook much, though Pitt was flipped to a loss and NC State to a win.
• Jacob notes only Pitt and Florida feel like true "maybe" games that could swing the season. A 3-win floor feels possible if things go poorly, but upside exists for 6-7 if spring momentum carries over.

Overall Takeaways on Football:

• Schedule is brutal: Power opponents like Alabama, SMU, Virginia, Louisville, Miami, Clemson with few easy ACC games.
• Recent history (2-10, 5-7) creates low confidence, but "hope every year" for Noles fans.
• Encouraging notes: Spring scrimmage progress, Tony White's high praise for defense/offense, transfer portal activity.
• If 5-7 happens again, "it's over" for the current era/coaching staff (humorous Kawhi Leonard "It's over" meme graphic referenced).
• Advice to fans: Attend the blowout home games vs. New Mexico State or Central Arkansas for fun.

Other FSU Sports Segments

Basketball (Positive Outlook):

• Luke Loucks (new head coach) is building something strong.
• Recent transfer: Sean Abaiv (or similar spelling; former Cincinnati player, McDonald's All-American pedigree, 4-star transfer averaging solid minutes/points).
• Recruiting class: Ranked ~23rd nationally (or top 9-10 composite) with multiple 4-star transfers + high school talents like Jason Lopez (3-star dual-sport phenom).
• Surrounded by tournament teams in the rankings; Loucks prioritizing player health/well-being (declined NIT to avoid a deflating loss and focus on development).
• Projection: Minimum 20 wins next season feels realistic; NIT or better ACC tournament run possible. Long-term, FSU could shift toward "basketball school" vibes under Loucks—Jacob fully supports it.

Baseball (Quick Recap):

• Currently strong vs. Stetson (9-2 lead mentioned).
• Recent tough loss to Georgia Tech (17-3).
• Upcoming: Favorable but not automatic (Notre Dame, North Florida, Stanford road trip, USF, Pitt, Jacksonville, Clemson, Miami).
• Projection: Likely NCAA Regionals; Super Regionals or College World Series possible but requires going 2/3 or better in most ACC series. Coach Link Jarrett trusted to keep them competitive.

Closing

• Jacob thanks viewers, plugs his Twitter (@jsmith_sports or similar), and ends with "Go Noles!"
• Light-hearted moments: Tech issues, meme references, self-deprecating "do I know ball?" question to comments.
• Overall vibe: Realistic pessimism on 2026 football tempered by hope in roster building and non-football sports trending up.

This episode serves as a thoughtful, fan-level schedule preview with balanced analysis rather than pure hype.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Jacob Smith welcomes Seminoles Nation.
• Show presented by FanDuel.
• Acknowledges it's a short stream due to other commitments (possibly watching games later).

Men's Basketball Tournament Recap

• Highlights the national championship game: Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 to win the title.
• Jacob notes it was a close, nerve-wracking game, especially during UConn's late push, but Michigan pulled it out for their second national championship.
• Personal rooting interest: Jacob cheered for Michigan partly because of his dad's past fandom (pre-sign-stealing scandal) and because Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) played there.
• Congrats extended to all Wolverines fans.

Florida State Baseball Deep Dive (~00:01:22 – end)

Current Standing (as of the stream):

• Overall record: Mentioned as "and seven" (context suggests around 24-7 at the time; FSU entered the week strong).
• Ranked #5 nationally (D1Baseball and others).
• ACC standings note: Georgia Tech was the top ACC team and ranked higher nationally (#3 overall) than FSU at the time of the show.

Tonight's Game (vs. Florida – in progress during stream):

• Top of the 5th inning, Florida leading 2-1.
• Jacob called Florida an unranked but historically tough "Achilles heel" rival for FSU.

Upcoming Schedule Highlights:

• This weekend (April 9-11): Huge series at Georgia Tech (Yellow Jackets) — #5 FSU at #3 Georgia Tech. Described as one of the best matchups of the year. Games Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
• Jacob's prediction: FSU splits the series (like they did at Virginia, winning 2-1), but it will be closer and competitive. Possible high-scoring games early, then lower-scoring as pitching adjusts. Optimistic FSU takes at least 2 of 3.
• Followed by: Stetson (home), Notre Dame, North Florida, at Stanford, USF (home), Pitt (home), Jacksonville (home), at Clemson, Miami (home).
• Season is in the back half — roughly a month and a week left.

Team Strengths & Outlook:

• Offense: Elite hitting core. High OPS, slugging, etc. Standout performers mentioned:
  • Jace Estes (~1.142 OPS)
  • Will LeVar (~1.048 OPS)
  • Braden Dowd (~.984 OPS)
  • Myles Bailey was out (injured), but the depth is "out of this world."
• Pitching: Dominant low ERA staff. Examples include John Abraham (~0.61 ERA), Jake Echols, Wes Mendes, Trey Beard (all sub- or very low ERA; some noted as ".XI" — likely sub-1.00 or low-2.00 range in context).
• Jacob: This team is "built for May" (postseason baseball). Strong statistical profile overall.

NCAA Tournament Projection (Bracketology):

• FSU projected as a #1 seed (Tallahassee Regional host).
• Baseball America had them as the 6th-best #1 seed.
• Likely regional opponents: Texas State, Connecticut, Campbell.
• Outlook: Hosting regional is locked in; Super Regionals and College World Series appearance are realistic but will depend on matchups and travel.
• Path reminder: Win 3 in regional → Super Regional; win another → CWS.
• Jacob asked viewers: Is this team built to win in May, or will they exit early in regionals again? (He leans optimistic.)

Closing & Additional Notes (~00:08:05 – end)

• Apology for starting a bit late.
• Call for viewer debate in comments.
• Shoutout to Florida State Esports:
  • Focus on the Splatoon team (competitive Splatoon 3).
  • 4th playoff appearance in 5 seasons; 3rd semifinals appearance.
  • Facing UC Santa Cruz Slugs in semifinals on Sunday, April 12.
  • Stream likely on Twitch; Jacob planned to share the link.
• Final thanks to viewers. Follow Jacob on X: @jsmith_sports (or similar handle).
• Sign-off: "Have a wonderful rest of your day. We'll see you next week."

Overall Tone & Style

• Casual, enthusiastic, and fan-friendly.
• Heavy optimism about FSU baseball's 2026 season and postseason potential.
• Kept short and sweet as promised.
• Balanced baseball analysis with personal touches (e.g., Michigan rooting interest, esports shoutout).

This episode served as a quick hit on the basketball title while centering the strong start to FSU baseball and previewing the critical Georgia Tech series.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Fun, fan-oriented solo show with bracket talk, personal stories, and light humor (e.g., celebrating Florida and Miami eliminations, "corn-mageddon" for Iowa-Nebraska).
• Jacob shared his strong early-round bracket performance (one entry ranked ~6,000th out of 30 million) and admitted some misses (like Florida losing to Iowa).
• He built a "second-chance" bracket with in-depth game-by-game reasoning, leaning on stats like KenPom, offense/defense balance, and historical trends.
• Ended with women's bracket, baseball, and a shoutout to FSU Splatoon esports.

Men's March Madness Discussion (Main Focus)

Jacob called this one of the most interesting Final Fours in years (no all-#1s like last year, after Florida's upset loss to Iowa). He noted Purdue's easy path to Elite Eight and highlighted toss-ups.

Sweet 16 Matchups & His Quick Takes:

• Duke vs. St. John's: Duke looks best on paper but struggled early vs. Siena. He picked Duke (citing a weird historical trend: teams beating Mount St. Mary's the prior year often win it all), but liked St. John's (Pitino factor) for a potential upset.
• Michigan State vs. UConn: Very close (52-48 odds for UConn). Michigan State has better offense; UConn better defense. He leaned defense-wins-championships → UConn.
• Purdue vs. Texas: Purdue favored; he saw their run potentially ending soon.
• Iowa vs. Nebraska ("corn-mageddon" rivalry): Nebraska leads in most KenPom categories → Nebraska.
• Illinois vs. Houston: Big offensive showdown; he leaned Houston.
• Michigan vs. Alabama: Michigan takes care of business.
• Arizona vs. Arkansas: Arizona handles it easily.
• Other notes: Liked Iowa State's shot; called Duke "fraudulent" at times; referenced streamer MoistCr1tikal's funny Michigan State-to-championship prediction (possibly vs. Michigan).

His Second-Chance/Final Four Prediction (fun "100% confirmed" version for laughs):

• Elite Eight advanced: Nebraska, others leading to a Big Ten-heavy Final Four.
• He jokingly went all-in on a Big Ten quadfecta (Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue? — with Michigan vs. Michigan State in the title game). Called it the "Big Ten quadfecta" — would be hilarious if it happened.

He showed multiple brackets, praised his own "ball knowledge," and noted the top public bracket only had 3 wrong so far. Overall vibe: Wide-open tournament; could see a 3-seed crash the Final Four.

Women's March Madness

More "chalk" (favorites advancing). All #1s still alive at Sweet 16 stage.

Sweet 16 Teams Mentioned:

• UConn, North Carolina, UCLA, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, LSU, Duke, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, TCU, Virginia.

His Takes & Second-Chance Picks:

• UConn is a massive favorite (odds like -100,000); "utterly dumb" dominance → easy pick to win it all.
• UCLA (33-1) strong.
• Liked LSU (familiar from past FSU matchup; good coach).
• Upset special: Notre Dame over Vanderbilt (due to Hannah Hidalgo — he saw her destroy FSU live, met her courtside while working the game; called her excellent).
• Other picks: Texas, Michigan, South Carolina, TCU advancing in regions.
• Final Four-ish: UConn, UCLA, etc., with UConn winning the championship. Notre Dame run likely ends in Elite Eight.

He emphasized picking #1s far in women's brackets as a safe strategy.

FSU Baseball Quick Hit

• Record at the time: 19-4 (strong season).
• Playing Florida that night (down 5-0 in top 8th; "we're cooked" — humorous).
• Upcoming: Home series vs. Duke (March 27-29).
• Then at Stetson.
• Ranked ~top 10-25 in Baseball America/D1 Baseball polls.
• Optimism: Another College World Series push, hosting regionals, maybe getting "over the hump" past Super Regionals.

Closing & Shoutouts

• Thanks for tuning into recent solo shows.
• Follow him on X: @jsmith_sports.
• Big plug for FSU Splatoon esports (his team?): Undefeated (4-0), clinched playoffs, next vs. Houston. Deserves fan support — follow @FSUSplatoon on X. "If you care about FSU athletics at all, give them some love."
• Camera was partially cut off the whole show (self-deprecating joke).
• Sign-off: Enjoy the tournament, great week, see you next time.

Solid, breezy episode full of bracket enthusiasm and Seminole pride. Jacob's predictions leaned chalk with some fun chaos (all-Big Ten Final Four), and the Hidalgo story added a nice personal FSU touch.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Host: Jacob Smith (solo, as co-host Matthew lenix was unavailable due to moving).
• Theme: Unofficial kickoff to March Madness 2026, focusing on bracket predictions, picks, and analysis using KenPom stats, despite Florida State not making the tournament.
• Tone: Casual, enthusiastic "ball knowledge" sharing with commentary, some chalk-heavy predictions (favoring higher seeds in this era of NIL/conference realignment), and personal biases (e.g., UCF fanboy moments).
• Length/Style: Live stream-style breakdown, screen-sharing bracket, reacting to ongoing First Four game (Howard vs. UMBC at ~63-51 Howard lead mid-episode; later updates show Howard winning 86-83 for their first NCAA tourney win).
• Key Quote: "This is not the year of sixteen beats a one... it's just not." (Emphasizing chalk in modern college hoops.)

Main Segments

1. Intro & Setup (00:00–~02:00)
   • Welcomes viewers to official March Madness start.
   • Notes FSU absence but pivots to tournament hype.
   • Jumps into bracket picks region-by-region, using KenPom for insights.
2. First Round Predictions & Analysis (~02:00–~18:00+)
   • Heavy reliance on KenPom rankings (offense/defense, points per possession, rebounding, turnovers, etc.).
   • Predicts mostly chalk (top seeds advancing), but notes some toss-ups and potential upsets.
   • Highlights:
     • Ohio State vs. TCU: Split, leans TCU defense but picks OSU in some brackets.
     • UNI vs. St. John's: Loves Rick Pitino; picks St. John's (better offense).
     • Kansas vs. Cal Baptist: Kansas easily (no Cal Baptist upsets in his brackets).
     • Louisville vs. USF: Torn, leans Louisville but has USF in some.
     • Michigan State vs. North Dakota State: Easy MSU.
     • UCF vs. UCLA: UCF fan hope, but picks UCLA.
     • UConn vs. Furman: Easy UConn.
     • Florida vs. Lehigh: Easy Florida.
     • Clemson vs. Iowa: Leans Iowa but picks Clemson redemption.
     • Vandy vs. McNeese: Vandy momentum.
     • Nebraska vs. Troy: Nebraska wins first tourney game.
     • UNC vs. VCU: UNC experience over trendy VCU upset pick.
     • Illinois vs. Penn: Illinois (elite offense).
     • St. Mary's vs. Texas A&M: Picks St. Mary's defense.
     • Houston vs. Idaho: Easy Houston.
     • West Region: Arizona over LIU; picks Utah State over Villanova; High Point over Wisconsin (regrets likely); Arkansas over Hawaii; NC State over BYU/Texas; Gonzaga over Kennesaw; Miami (FL) over Missouri; Purdue over Queens.
     • Midwest/South: Michigan over Howard; Georgia over St. Louis (SEC bias but KenPom favors SLU); Akron potential over Texas Tech; Alabama over Hofstra; Tennessee over SMU; Kentucky over Santa Clara; Iowa State over someone (100% certain).
3. Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, Championship (~18:00–end)
   • Advances chalk mostly: Duke, UConn, Florida, Houston, Arizona, Gonzaga/Purdue battles, etc.
   • Sweet 16 leans: Duke over St. John's; UConn over MSU; Florida revenge over Vandy; Houston over Illinois (defense wins); Arizona over Arkansas; Gonzaga over Purdue.
   • Elite 8/Final Four: Duke over UConn; Houston over Florida; Arizona over Gonzaga; Michigan advances.
   • Championship: Duke over Michigan (cites fun trend: teams beating Mount St. Mary's prior year win title next; Duke did last year).
   • Overall: Very chalky bracket (all 1-seeds strong except some 4s); 22 brackets made, this one dedicated to "Florida State Crime Time Live."
4. Other Notes & Wrap-Up
   • Mentions multiple brackets (chalky ones, UCF Elite 8 dream, goofy names, KenPom-based).
   • Some regrets/potential Ls: Penn over Illinois? High Point? Akron?
   • Promotes subscribe/like/comment/follow @jsmith_sports.
   • Ends positively, teases next Tuesday stream.

Notable Takeaways

• Emphasizes modern era makes Cinderella runs rarer (NIL funnels talent to blue-bloods).
• Personal flair: UCF homer picks, hates Miami (FL), excited for potential Florida-UCF/USF chaos (didn't happen).
• Live element: Reacts to Howard/UMBC score (Howard pulling away).

This was a fun, stats-driven solo breakdown—perfect for bracket enthusiasts debating picks right as the tournament kicked off!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Saturday, August 29 – New Mexico State (Week 0 opener at Doak Campbell Stadium)
• Monday, September 7 – SMU* (Labor Day game, ACC opener)
• Saturday, September 19 – at Alabama
• Saturday, September 26 – Central Arkansas
• Saturday, October 3 – Virginia*
• Friday, October 9 – at Louisville*
• Saturday, October 17 – at Miami*
• Saturday, October 31 – Clemson* (Halloween game)
• Saturday, November 7 – at Boston College*
• Friday, November 13 – at Pitt*
• Saturday, November 21 – NC State*
• Friday, November 27 – Florida (rivalry finale, day after Thanksgiving)

• FSU plays eight ACC games (one of five teams in the league with this in 2026; most play nine).
• Two bye weeks: After SMU (leading into Alabama) and after Miami (before Clemson).
• Three Friday games total (Louisville, Pitt, Florida) — the first time since 1955 FSU has three Fridays, and four non-Saturday games overall (a program first).
• Non-conference: Tough SEC road trip to Alabama (revenge after FSU's 2025 win in Tallahassee?); cupcakes in New Mexico State and FCS Central Arkansas.
• The schedule is widely viewed as one of the tougher ones in the ACC, with a brutal mid-season road stretch (Louisville → Miami → Clemson → BC → Pitt, four of five away, two Fridays).

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Portal chaos isn’t just a Florida State problem. It’s happening everywhere across college football. So, Seminole fans, don’t believe the narrative that this is isolated to Tallahassee. That said, the real question remains: is there hope for 2026?

We’ll break it all down right here on Voice of College Football – Florida State Live, coming to you on a Thursday night.

Before we get rolling, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the notification bell. With shows rotating between Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays — and with hosts George, James, and myself — you’ll want those alerts turned on so you never miss a live show.

We’re presented by FanDuel, and later in the show we’ll also touch on the national championship game.

George from the Renegade Report Joins the Show

George from the Renegade Report joins me tonight. George, appreciate you being here.

“Absolutely, man. Thanks for having me. And honestly, I’m glad we still have these shows because it gives me a place to vent.”

Like many Florida State fans, George hasn’t been doing as many shows recently — not because of lack of passion, but because of the current state of the program.

Florida State Adds Linebackers — But What Does It Really Mean?

Florida State recently added Chris Jones, a linebacker from Southern Miss.

Let’s be clear — Jones was highly productive:

• Led the Sun Belt in tackles

• Seventh nationally in total tackles

• 133 stops, 9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks

• Forced a fumble and recorded an interception

Yes, it came in the Sun Belt, but production is production. At minimum, he can wrap up ball carriers, and Mike Norvell has historically done well developing Group of Five defenders.

The question, though, isn’t effort or instincts — it’s context.

“What does a linebacker need to be successful?”
“A defensive line.”

And that’s where the concern begins.

Another Linebacker Added: Mai (Malik) Gabor

FSU also brought in Mai (Malik) Gabor, formerly of North Carolina. A familiar name to die-hard fans — someone the staff previously recruited out of high school.

• 6’2”, 230 lbs

• 112 career tackles

• 5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, forced fumble

A solid depth piece — but again, not a difference-maker without defensive line help.

The Bigger Problem: Losses Everywhere

Here’s the issue:
It’s not that Florida State is losing elite stars — it’s that they’re losing every reliable piece they had.

These weren’t All-Americans.
They weren’t Heisman contenders.
They were functional building blocks — and almost all of them are gone.

Some of the most damaging losses:

• Juice Cryer (LB, Texas)

• Omar Graham Jr.

• Randy Pittman Jr. (TE, SMU)

• Edwin Joseph (Safety, Michigan)

• Amari Williams (Edge, Mississippi State)

• Kai Bates, Elijah Moore, Camden Frier

• James Williams, Jaden Jones, Jason Jenkins

• Daryl and Mandrell Desir (potentially)

“These weren’t stars — but they were the only guys keeping the team afloat.”

The Desir Twins Situation Is Unforgivable

This is where frustration turns into disbelief.

Florida State hit the lottery with the Desir twins — under-recruited players who became legitimate foundational pieces. In today’s college football, where depth is thin and snaps are massive, you cannot let those players walk.

“I don’t care if you had to allocate 40% of your NIL budget to two players — you keep them.”

You can’t:

• Miss on high school recruiting

• Miss on portal evaluations

• Miss on retention

…and then let your best defensive linemen leave.

That’s not roster building. That’s surrender.

Is Florida State Operating Like a G5 Program?

This is the uncomfortable truth many fans are wrestling with.

“Florida State is operating like a Group of Five program — and not a smart one.”

There appears to be:

• A self-imposed NIL cap

• A reluctance to compete for top portal talent

• Minimal urgency to retain proven contributors

The theory?

“They’re waiting for 2030.”

Waiting for:

• A new conference

• Bigger media payouts

• A reset window

If that’s the case, then 2026 looks like a placeholder season, not a push season.

Quarterback Reality: You Must Pay to Play

Every playoff team — with very few exceptions — has a transfer quarterback.

FSU didn’t just miss on one. They missed on two consecutive portal QBs.

And now?

They add Ashton Daniels, a capable backup-level quarterback — not a program lifter.

“If he’s your starter, you’re not competing for an ACC title.”

This isn’t a knock on the player — it’s a reflection of market reality.

You either:

• Pay for a proven QB

• Or accept mediocrity

There is no middle ground anymore.

Final Thought: What Is the Plan?

That’s the question nobody can answer.

• No elite portal class

• No strong retention

• Declining high school recruiting

• Thin defensive line

• Unclear quarterback direction

“What lies are we supposed to tell ourselves this offseason?”

Right now, the positives are:

• Trey Wisner (RB, Texas)

• Herb Hand rebuilding the offensive line

That’s it.

And for a program like Florida State — that’s not nearly enough.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.