SEMINOLES

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Jalen Warley scored 19 points, Jamir Watkins had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Florida State beat No. 18 Colorado 77-71 in overtime to win the Sunshine Slam championship.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The Seminole Tribe announced Tuesday that it has launched its mobile sports betting app in a “limited” fashion, despite two ongoing lawsuits that challenge the practice.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida announced Wednesday that they will move forward with an expansion of casino games after a gaming compact was approved by the Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The state of Florida’s big three is back in the AP Top 25.

3 key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

No. 21 Duke and No. 22 Colorado have jumped into the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll after scoring the biggest upsets of the opening weekend of the season.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has voted to add Stanford, California and SMU next year.

Matthew Cleveland’s 3-pointer as time expired capped Florida State’s comeback from a 25-point second-half deficit and the Seminoles stunned No. 13 Miami 85-84.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The 16th-ranked Seminoles (8-3) are hosting the rival Gators (6-5) on Friday night at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The Atlantic Coast Conference gets a chance in September to bolster the perception of the league's strength with multiple matchups against other power conferences.

RayQuan Evans made a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left in overtime, John Butler blocked Wendell Moore Jr.‘s driving attempt in the lane with 2 seconds remaining, and Florida State stunned No. 6 Duke 79-78.

Tua Tagovailoa made a good impression in his first extensive action since the trade deadline passed and speculation about his future intensified.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at the first full week of the football season, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Jocelyn Alo’s go-ahead homer in the sixth inning helped Oklahoma beat Florida State 6-2 on Wednesday night and force a decisive Game 3 for the Women’s College World Series title.

Florida State defeated UNC-Greensboro 64-54. We didn’t want to settle for jump shots.”The Spartans closed within 51-50 with 4:52 remaining, but Florida State held them scoreless for nearly four minutes after that. Socially distanced Florida State fans saluted players with the tomahawk chop as they left the court. AdLangley's 3-pointer in the opening seconds of the second half tied the game at 29, but Florida State responded with a 12-0 run. STAT LINESGreensboro wasn’t much better than Florida State from 3-point range.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University’s Deputy head coach Chris Thomsen will take over preparing for the next Seminoles game, which is against the Hurricanes in Miami, after head football coach Mike Norvell announced Saturday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. “In our most recent round of COVID testing yesterday, I received a positive result after being negative in our previous two tests this week,” Norvell stated in an FSU news release. “Deputy head coach Chris Thomsen will handle in-person head coaching duties until I am able to return. The coach said the positive result was not expected, however, the school was prepared for the situation. “My result was surprising to me, but we have prepared for a potential positive result among anyone in our program and we will put that plan in place while I am away.

Hardly pretty, but hardly a concern for Arizona State coach Herm Edwards. Willie Harts returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead Arizona State to a 20-14 victory against Florida State. Cristian Zendejas kicked a Sun Bowl record-tying four field goals for Arizona State, including a 34-yarder in the fourth quarter to cut the FSU lead to 14-12. Florida State turned the ball over three times (two interceptions and a fumble) and had a field goal blocked, while Arizona State lost two fumbles. By the end of the game, Arizona State was down three defensive starters – safety Cam Phillips didn’t dress, while cornerbacks Jack Jones and Chase Lucas suffered injuries during the game.

19-ranked Florida State used smothering defense to overcome a 10-point deficit in the final seven minutes and beat South Florida 66-60 Saturday in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida State forced four shot-clock violations and won despite being outrebounded by 14 and shooting only 40 percent, including 7 for 27 from 3-point range. Florida State (10-2) scored 21 points off turnovers to earn its third win in a row. South Florida (6-6) lost to a ranked team for the 27th consecutive time since 2012. Devin Vassell’s jumper with two minutes left put Florida State in front to stay.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State is so deep at guard and forward that it hasn’t featured its 7-footers much this season. Balsa Koprivica scored 15 points and Dominik Olejniczak added 11 as both set season highs to lead No. 19 Florida State to a 98-81 victory over North Florida. “Neither one of those guys have been feature players on their teams in the past,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. Florida State (9-2) has won 12 straight home games in a streak that dates to last season.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State has a new coach and a bowl destination. The Sun Bowl announced Sunday that the Seminoles will meet Arizona State on New Year’s Eve in El Paso, Texas. Florida State (6-6) is making its first appearance in the Sun Bowl since 1966. The Seminoles lost to Arizona State 45-38 in the inaugural Fiesta Bowl in 1971. The announcement comes on the same day that Florida State introduced Mike Norvell as its new head coach.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the second time in two years, Florida State has a new football coach. The 38-year-old Texas native has never had a losing season and never won fewer than eight games since becoming a head coach. “I’m humbled and honored for the opportunity to be the head coach at Florida State University, one of the iconic brands in college football,” Norvell said in a statement released by the school. Memphis head coach Mike Norvell celebrates with his team after the Tigers defeated Cincinnati for the American Athletic Conference championship, Dec. 7, 2019, in Memphis, Tennessee. Odell Haggins led the Seminoles to a 2-1 record as interim coach after Taggart was dismissed, helping Florida State to become bowl eligible.

17 Florida State 80-64 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. “Tonight was his night.”After Indiana took a 15-point lead in the first half, the Hoosiers watched Florida State methodically cut into the deficit. Green helped steady the Hoosiers, who extended the margin to 10 with 13:53 left. That’s when Green helped spur the decisive sequence. “Obviously, Devonte Green was special tonight,” Indiana coach Archie Miller said.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State is ranked for the first time this season after victories against No. 17 Tennessee and Purdue in the Emerald Coast Classic. The Seminoles (7-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) are ranked No. The Seminoles defeated the previously undefeated Volunteers 60-57 Friday and outlasted the Boilermakers 63-60 in overtime Saturday to win the Emerald Coast Classic championship. Florida State is the fifth ACC team ranked among the top 25, behind new No.

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Devin Vassell scored 13 points and made a key steal and pair of free throws in the final minute as Florida State upended No. Florida State (6-1) started hot, sprinting to a 14-2 lead. Ten players scored for Florida State, but M.J. Walker was the only other Seminole in double figures with 10 points. Trent Forrest made one of two free-throw attempts with 32 seconds left to put Florida State ahead by four before Vassell stole the ball. He then made two free throws to ice the game.

Bethune-Cookman knocks off Florida A&M againThe 40th annual Florida Classic was indeed a classic on Saturday, as an announced crowd of more than 55,000 fans saw Bethune-Cookman continue its dominance of Florida A&M. It was the highest-attended Florida Classic game since 2011. The Wildcats earned a 31-27 win over Florida A&M, the ninth straight win for Bethune-Cookman in the series. Florida ended a five-year losing streak to Florida State last year with a 41-14 win in Tallahassee. Apopka (11-1) will host Lutz Steinbrenner in a semifinal on Friday, while Seminole (11-1) suffered its only loss of the season.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - The Florida Gators dropped nine spots Monday in the latest Associated Press top 25 poll after falling to rival Florida State for the sixth straight time in the series. Florida (1-1), ranked No. 15 one day after the unranked Seminoles (1-1) upset the Gators 63-51 at home. The Gators went 10 minutes with just one field goal as Florida State pulled ahead in the second half for a sixth consecutive win in the series. It wasn't enough to move the Seminoles, who dropped their season opener at Pittsburgh, into the top 25.

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher yells to his offense between plays during the fourth quarter against UTSA, Nov. 2, 2019, in College Station, Texas. DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Jimbo Fisher said Wednesday he still has "a great fondness and love for Florida State," so it was disheartening to learn that his successor was fired after just 21 games. The Texas A&M head coach addressed the dismissal of Willie Taggart while speaking with reporters during a Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference. "I hate it for the program, himself, the kids and everybody involved," Fisher said. Fisher spoke fondly of his time at Florida State, where the Seminoles won three straight Atlantic Coast Conference championships and a national title during his eight years in Tallahassee.

Local 10 sports director Will Manso is once again leading the Local10.com college football picks. Will has a one-game lead on sports reporter Clay Ferraro headed into this weekend's slate of games. There will be no separation this weekend, however, as they both have identical picks. Another rivalry game being played this weekend is the "Shula Bowl," pitting Florida International against South Florida rival Florida Atlantic. Likewise, they've got Florida State losing at Boston College, which would essentially end FSU's fight for a bowl bid.

Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson runs toward the Boise State offensive line in the season opener, Aug. 31, 2019, in Tallahassee, Florida. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State will be without its defensive leader at Boston College this weekend. Interim head coach Odell Haggins said Thursday that defensive tackle Marvin Wilson suffered a hand injury in last Saturday's 27-10 loss to Miami that required him to undergo season-ending surgery. "He had surgery earlier this week and is expected to miss the rest of this season." "Marvin is disappointed, but he will remain involved as a captain and respected leader for our team," Haggins said.

Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the field before a game against the UCF Knights, Sept. 7, 2019, in Boca Raton, Florida. BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin doesn't appear to be interested in the Florida State job, despite a report stating the contrary. Sources: Lane Kiffin has expressed his interest in the FSU job. Come to #thefaU #promindset #ShulaBowl https://t.co/htQ682ep8h Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 4, 2019He also chimed in on a tweet from someone who asked, "Who would stay at FAU?" Florida State fired Willie Taggart on Sunday, one day after the Seminoles lost 27-10 to rival Miami at home.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) - Florida State University fired head football coach Willie Taggart on Sunday, one day after the struggling Seminoles lost 27-10 to its in-state rival, the University of Miami. "I spoke to Coach Taggart this afternoon to let him know of our decision," said Florida State athletics director David Coburn. He was head coach there from 2010-2012 after serving as an assistant from 1999-2006. Florida State had only two full-time coaches from 1976 to 2017 -- Fisher from 2010 to 2019, and legendary coach Bobby Bowden, who served 37 years as head coach. Defensive line coach Odell Haggins, a 26-year veteran of the FSU coaching staff, will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of 2019.

The Alabama Crimson Tide line up against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 2, 2017 in Atlanta. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State and Alabama have agreed to a home-and-home series for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Florida State will make the return trip to Tuscaloosa on Sept. 19, 2026. Florida State last defeated Alabama 21-14 in Jacksonville during the 2007 season. Alabama has future non-conference games against Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech.

The group is all in on the trio of teams from South Florida, but the same can't be said about Florida State. The Seminoles are a unanimous pick to lose at Wake Forest this weekend. They should be able to withstand a struggling Georgia Tech squad Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. But he won't make any headway this weekend with identical picks. Liane Morejon is hedging her bets on Michigan as she tries to narrow the gap between first and last place.

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. - A five-star basketball recruit from South Florida is headed to Florida State. I am proud to be announcing that next year I will be playing for Coach Hamilton and his staff at Florida State University. But he ultimately settled for longtime Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles, who have been to the Sweet Sixteen each of the last two seasons. He transferred to Montverde Academy in central Florida for his senior season after University School fired head coach Jim Carr in May. "I am proud to be announcing that next year I will be playing for Coach Hamilton and his staff at Florida State University," Barnes wrote.

Florida State's Anthony Polite and Florida's Andrew Nembhard are among the returning players from last year's Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. SUNRISE, Fla. - Tipoff times have been set for the doubleheader at this year's Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida State and Florida will return to the BB&T Center in Sunrise for the Dec. 21 games. It will be the 11th time since 1999 that the Seminoles, 8-2 all-time in Sunrise, will participate in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 21st overall.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Tipoff times have been set for the doubleheader at this year's Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida State and Florida will return to the BB&T Center in Sunrise for the Dec. 21 games. It will be the 11th time since 1999 that the Seminoles, 8-2 all-time in Sunrise, will participate in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 21st overall. Both teams were victorious last December, with the Gators beating Florida Gulf Coast 77-56 and the Seminoles defeating St. Louis 81-59.

Florida State's Anthony Polite and Florida's Andrew Nembhard are among the returning players from last year's Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. SUNRISE, Fla. - Tip-off times have been set for the doubleheader at this year's Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida State and Florida will return to the BB&T Center in Sunrise for the Dec. 21 games. It will be the 11th time since 1999 that the Seminoles, 8-2 all-time in Sunrise, will participate in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Florida is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 21st overall.

Local 10 sports reporter Clay Ferraro has a -game lead on sports director Will Manso headed into the third full weekend of the college football season. Everyone missed on Miami's 28-25 loss at North Carolina, dropping the Hurricanes to 0-2 for the first time since 1978. In addition to picking FIU and Miami to win, she also put her faith in USF, which lost a close contest with Georgia Tech. After two straight weekends of unanimous stock in Florida State, the Seminoles have lost favor with this group headed into their Atlantic Coast Conference opener at No. Saturday's games are seemingly much clearer cut, as the only difference of opinion is Stanford at UCF and FAU's trip to Ball State.

Here's a glance at the 10 most important games involving college football teams from the state of Florida. Florida vs. Miami in Orlando, Aug. 24Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesMiami and Florida played annually from 1944 until 1987, but the schools have only met six times since. Florida State at Clemson, Oct. 12Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesFlorida State won 11 straight against Clemson in as many years after joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1992. Miami at Florida State, Nov. 2Mark Brown/Getty ImagesAfter snapping a seven-game losing streak to Florida State in 2017, Miami has won two in a row against the Seminoles. Florida State at Florida, Nov. 30AP Photo/Mark WallheiserThe Gators snapped a five-game losing streak to Florida State with a 41-14 win in Tallahassee last season.

Florida State's Anthony Polite and Florida's Andrew Nembhard are among the returning players from last year's Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. SUNRISE, Fla. - Fans of the Gators and Seminoles won't have to travel far from home to see their teams on the hardwood this year. Florida and Florida State will return to Sunrise in December for the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, the schools announced Wednesday. Florida is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 21st overall. Florida State's game against USF will be the eighth consecutive appearance and 11th time since 1999 that the Seminoles will appear in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Fans of the Gators and Seminoles won't have to travel far from home to see their teams on the hardwood this year. Florida and Florida State will return to Sunrise in December for the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, the schools announced Wednesday. Florida is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 21st overall. Florida State's game against USF will be the eighth consecutive appearance and 11th time since 1999 that the Seminoles will appear in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. Both teams were victorious last December, with the Gators beating Florida Gulf Coast 77-56 and the Seminoles defeating St. Louis 81-59.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida and Florida State will once again participate in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic this season. The Orange Bowl Committee announced Tuesday that the Gators and the Seminoles will return to the BB&T Center in Sunrise for a basketball doubleheader Dec. 22. Florida Gulf Coast will face Florida in a rematch of a 2013 NCAA tournament game that the Gators won 62-50. The Gators will make their 10th consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 20th overall, including a 71-69 loss to Clemson last year. Florida State, which advanced to the "Elite Eight" last season, is making its seventh consecutive appearance in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and 10th overall.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Dwayne Bacon and the Seminoles shook off a sluggish first half as No. 23 Florida State came alive in the second half to defeat Manhattan 83-67 Saturday in Sunrise for their seventh consecutive victory in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. "We probably played more zone defense today than we've had to play the last two or three years," Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton said. The 87 combined first-half points set an Orange Bowl Basketball Classic record. Their only loss in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic was to Massachusetts in their first appearance in 1999.