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FSU’s biggest edge in 2016 may come from its home stadium

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The biggest player for FSU in the coming season will not be running back Dalvin Cook.

It will not be quarterback Sean McGuire. Or safety Derwin James.

The best player may be Campbell, Doak.

If FSU, under the guidance of Jimbo Fisher, is to return to the post-season playoffs, it may well because of a home-field advantage. Over the last three seasons, the Seminoles are the only team in the country that has gone unbeaten (21-0) while at home. Alabama, Clemson and Michigan State have all gone 20-1. Marshall is 19-1 and Ohio State is 19-2.

For the Seminoles, that’s a big number. This season, FSU plays North Carolina, Clemson and Florida all at home.

Oh, Miami might be a test. Maybe even USF. And Ole Miss is a neutral site game in Orlando.

But winning can be geographical, too. And judging from the last three seasons, the Noles play pretty well in games with a statue of Bobby Bowden outside.

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Gary Shelton is one of the most recognized and honored sportswriters in the history of the state. He has won the APSE's national columnist of the year twice and finished in the top 10 eight times. He was named the Florida Sportswriter of the Year six times. Gary joined SaintPetersBlog in the spring, helping to bring a sports presence to the website. Over his time in sports writing, Gary has covered 29 Super Bowls, 10 Olympics, Final Fours, Masters, Wimbledons and college national championships. He was there when the Bucs won a Super Bowl, when the Lightning won a Stanley Cup and when the Rays went to a World Series. He has seen Florida, FSU and Miami all win national championships, and he covered Bear Bryant, Bobby Bowden and Don Shula along the way. He and his wife Janet have four children: Eric, Kevin, K.C. and Tori. To contact, visit garysheltonsports@gmail.com.

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