Florida
Paul Finebaum: Florida State 'is in trouble,' but College Football Playoff hopes are still alive
How Much BLAME Does He DESERVE? Grading Florida State Seminoles QB DJ Uiagalelei vs Georgia Tech
Paul Finebaum doesn’t believe the College Football Playoff is out of reach for Florida State, even after their demoralizing loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland.
During the latest edition of Get Up on ESPN, Finebaum explained that while Mike Norvell’s team may have had their spirits crushed, they need to get back on the horse and recapture their motivation. The season is far from over for the Seminoles.
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“No. I mean, they’re not in great shape, but the hyperbole is going to have to pause for a few minutes, because Greeny, one loss does not end your season,” Finebaum said to Mike Greenberg, regarding whether Florida State’s CFP hopes went up in smoke in Ireland. “It’s a conference loss, and I think that’s the most important thing, because in the new world, the ACC champion would end up getting a bid to the playoffs. So, that puts them in a problematic situation.
“I think, really, ultimately, where Florida State is in trouble, is their schedule. They have Notre Dame later, which plays for the at-large bid. They also have Miami, a number of other key games, including Clemson. So, they’re in trouble. And you know, their fans won’t be able to sue their way into the Playoff this year, like they tried last year.”
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That’s the reality for Florida State — as Finebaum basically put it, the Seminoles still control their own destiny. If they win against their stiffest competition, Norvell and company will likely do enough to get into the Playoff.
Regardless of his enthusiasm for Florida State’s chances at the CFP, Finebaum couldn’t help but make some jokes at their expense after their loss to Georgia Tech, stating that the Seminoles should place a phone call to Judge Judy during an appearance on SportsCenter over the weekend if they want to make it.
“I kept expecting an attorney to walk out to midfield and slap Ireland or Guinness with a lawsuit,” Finebaum said, via SportsCenter. “Florida State always finds someone else to blame when things don’t go their way and we saw that last year when they blamed the media. Then, they started suing their own league, and it was really the worst possible start for a team that so many people expected to make the playoffs.
“I realize that’s not over yet, but the way they performed yesterday, especially offensively, this team better call Judge Judy or somebody because I don’t think they’re going to make it. I mean, getting run over by a middle-of-the-road ACC team — it was music to the ears of a lot of Florida State haters.”
In the end, Florida State can still rebound and make the Playoff, even with their loss to the Yellow Jackets, but Georgia Tech certainly made the entire situation a bit more difficult for the Seminoles in 2024.
Poll results: Who will be the next Florida governor?
A recent poll from the University of North Florida found Casey DeSantis, the First Lady of Florida, is an early favorite in next year’s governor race.
Fox – 35 Orlando
A Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate has taken his grievances to social media, claiming that Waffle House has banned him from its locations across the state.
James Fishback, who is running to succeed fellow Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as the next governor, said that the restaurant chain criminally trespassed on him and his team from all of its locations in Florida after he told his followers on the “Tucker Carlson Show” in January that he’d be touring every Waffle House across the state to speak to voters.
At the time of his announcement, Fishback, 31, said Waffle House allowed him to do just that.
However, on March 4, Waffle House “abruptly revoked our permission,” Fishback said, adding, “I am disappointed in Waffle House’s decision, especially since they had given us explicit permission to visit their restaurants just 3 weeks ago.”
Before Waffle House’s decision, Fishback had visited locations in Madison, St. Pete, Bonifay, Marianna and Jacksonville.
In an email to USA TODAY on March 11, Fishback confirmed that his permission was still revoked. USA TODAY emailed Waffle House on Wednesday, but has not received a response.
Fishback said he’d be fighting the decision by launching his own version of a Waffle House called the “Fishback Waffle Home,” a no-cost, pop-up restaurant coming to select cities in Florida to “keep meeting voters over hot coffee and warm waffles.”
“I want to thank the Waffle House staff who greeted me and our supporters, with warmth, kindness and awesome food,” Fishback wrote in the statement.
Florida gubernatorial election
Florida will elect its next governor on Nov. 3. DeSantis cannot run for the office again because the state’s constitution limits governors to serving two consecutive terms.
The primary will be held Aug. 18, in which residents will select their candidates for the general election.
There are 41 candidates in the election, including U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Former U.S. Congressman David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, according to a report by Maxon-Dixon Polling and Strategy and the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Fishback is the second favorite for the Republican nomination. He’s currently behind Republican frontrunner U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.
Fishback is a former investor and hedge fund manager who was born in Davie, about 28 miles from Miami.
He notably suggested to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk that they should issue “DOGE Dividends,” which would be paid to Americans using funds the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) saved. The agency has since been dissolved.
Contributing: C.A. Bridges, Tallahassee Democrat
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
These are the Top 10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County in February.
Data provided by: Royal Shell Real Estate.
1. 4115 Cutlass Lane, Naples
List price: $28,750,000
Sold price: $25,000,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 6,291 square feet
Year built: 2022
Days on market: 355
Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock/Lift, Jet Ski Lift, Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen/Shower
View: Basin
2. 1365 Spyglass Lane, Naples
List price: $21,500,000
Sold price: $19,950,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 6,736 square feet
Year built: 2023
Days on market: 76
Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Bay
3. 600 Galleon Drive, Naples
List price: $19,995,000
Sold price: $18,100,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 7,195 square feet
Year built: 2002
Days on market: 104
Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Tennis Court, Private Pool, Outdoor Kitchen
View: Bay
4. 1818 6th Street S., Naples
List price: $19,495,000
Sold price: $18,000,000
Neighborhood/Development: Aqualane Shores
Size: 6,305 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 0
Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Deck, Outdoor Kitchen/Shower
View: Canal
5. 1640 Dolphin Court, Naples
List price: $15,995,000
Sold price: $15,150,000
Neighborhood/Development: Royal Harbor
Size: 6,500 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 65
Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Bay
6. 1040 2nd Street S., Naples
List price: $13,495,000
Sold price: $12,000,000
Neighborhood/Development: Olde Naples
Size: 5,486 square feet
Year built: 2020
Days on market: 20
Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill
View: Landscaped Area
7. 436 Putter Point Court, Naples
List price: $10,900,000
Sold price: $10,100,000
Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings
Size: 5,156 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 62
Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Landscaped Area
8. 16961 Sud Cortile Court, Naples
List price: $7,897,000
Sold price: $7,650,000
Neighborhood/Development: Mediterra
Size: 5,128 square feet
Year built: 2015
Days on market: 49
Amenities: Lakefront, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Community Pool, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Golf Course, Lake
9. 2900 Indigobush Way, Naples
List price: $7,750,000
Sold price: $7,625,000
Neighborhood/Development: Grey Oaks
Size: 6,605 square feet
Year built: 2000
Days on market: 93
Amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Concierge Services, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Sauna, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Kitchen
View: Golf Course
10. 424 Spinnaker Drive, Naples
List price: $7,250,000
Sold price: $6,825,000
Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings
Size: 4,724 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 59
Amenities: Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Landscaped Area
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A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.
Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)
In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.
Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.
“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.
“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.
Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.
“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”
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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.
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