Exclusive college coverage in Florida by Gary Shelton Sports

Perfect, yet imperfect, FSU awaits the playoffs

December 7, 2014 College Sports in Florida

12:52 p.m. FSU finishes third. The Seminoles play Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Alabama plays Ohio State in the Sugar. TCU and Baylor argue for a Right-team playoff. 9:58 a.m. They got to the end zone on wobbly legs. There have been prettier teams than the Florida State Seminoles, slicker teams, smoother teams. There have […]

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At hello, McElwain looks big enough for the Gators

December 6, 2014 College Sports in Florida

He had them at hello. But, really, doesn’t every coach? He strikes you as confident, as excited, as eager. But, really, doesn’t everyone come into the arena that way? In the years to come, it is possible that you may feel differently at Jim McElwain. He hasn’t played FSU yet. He hasn’t traveled to LSU. […]

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To all fields: Could FSU win, and still fall?

December 6, 2014 College Sports in Florida

In Tallahassee… What if Florida State wins today? And loses? What if they start ragged (yeah, you can imagine it), and then find themselves? What if they sputter for a while, as is their habit, but make another frantic comeback and win the game? What if they win the ACC title, and they dance around […]

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Easy on the expectations for McElwain

December 5, 2014 College Sports in Florida

He should approach the microphone slowly, letting the applause pour over him. In some ways, this may be his sweetest moment for some time to come. Jim McElwain should then raise his arms. The cheering will rise as he does, but McElwain should keep his arms above his head, as if he was signaling a […]

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Doesn’t every coach want to run the Gators?

December 1, 2014 College Sports in Florida

It’s an easy question, really. And a common one. These days, it’s being asked in Oxford. And in Fort Collins. Maybe in Clemson. It could be asked in Los Angeles. Wherever whistles are sold, best best college coaches in America are asking it. Do I want this Florida coaching job? Do I really? It isn’t […]

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Fisher withstands another turbulent FSU win

November 30, 2014 College Sports in Florida

TALLAHASSEE It was over now, the turbulence and the triumph, and the darndest football coach in America had survived another test in the darnedest season ever. Jimbo Fisher had won, because that’s what he does more than anyone else, but once again, his football team had put him through the paces. This is what it […]

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USF spends another pointless afternoon

November 28, 2014 College Sports in Florida

TAMPA The rest of us see a desert. Willie Taggart sees a beach. Soon, the surf will be coming in. The rest of us look at the scoreboard and see nothing. Taggart sees a change on the way. The rest of us see a team that has lost its way, and with it, it’s significance. […]

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Weekend preview…hitting to all fields

November 27, 2014 College Sports in Florida

In Tallahassee… He is the best player on the last unbeaten team left standing. Most years, that would make you the Heisman Trophy favorite. He has engineered four come-from-behind victory and a game winning drive. Most years, that means it’s time to buy a suit for the presentation ceremoney. He is the defending winner. Most […]

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Weekend preview…hitting to all fields

November 21, 2014 College Sports in Florida

In Gainesville… He would probably be a candidate to be the head coach if, say, Georgia had a job opening. He would probably be a candidate if was LSU, or Tennessee, or Mississippi State. He’d be a great fit at Texas A&M or Arkansas or Oklahoma State. Just not at Florida. There, Kirby Smart need […]

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Muschamp runs out of time, out of work

November 16, 2014 College Sports in Florida

The school tried being patient. It tried being reasonable. It tried being fair. It tried giving the condemned man a chance. In the end, none of it could save Will Muschamp. Even the Gators reached the inescapable conclusion that Muschamp was in over his head. His final effort against South Carolina finally coached him to […]

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