FSU Wins BCS National Title; Another Gator Leaves Early, Tuesday Sports Update

A third national title for the Florida State football program, SEC openers in men’s basketball and more in our Tuesday Sports update.

** The Florida State Seminoles are BCS national champions after a thrilling come from behind 34-31 win over Auburn at the Rose Bowl.   FSU has now won three national titles in school history.   Quarterback Jameis Winston, the Heisman winner, directed FSU on its winning drive, hitting wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin with a two yard touchdown with 13 seconds left to win the game.

** A third defensive player for the Florida football team is leaving school early to enter the NFL Draft; redshirt junior Ronald Powell will join cornerbacks Marcus Roberson and Loucheiz Purifoy in leaving after their junior seasons.

** Former Gator Brandon Spikes is out for the remainder of the playoffs after the New England Patriots linebacker suffers a knee injury.

** The Miami Dolphins have fired offensive coordinator Mike Sherman after the Dolphin offense allowed 58 sacks and ranked near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories.

** The SEC season in men’s basketball cranks up tonight with two games as Vanderbilt plays Alabama and Tennessee tangles with LSU.

** The Gator men’s basketball team opens SEC play Wednesday at home against South Carolina ranked number 11 in the USA Today Coaches poll.