Rams, Gators will meet, but McElwain long gone

FORT COLLINS» — The “Jim McElwain Bowl” doesn’t have the same sizzle now that it is finally here.

McElwain’s departure as Colorado State’s coach to becometheleaderatFlorida is the reason the game is being played. It was tied in as part of his $7.5 million buyout, including a $2 million guarantee for the Rams tomakethetriptoGainesville on Saturday (2 p.m., SEC Network). McElwain’s very public departure — thenFlorida AD Jeremy Foley made no secret McElwain was his guy as he headed to Fort Collins — cameattheendofthe2014 season. In 2015, McElwain had the Gators in the SEC Championship game, but halfway through last year, his tenure was over.

Florida contributed $3 million to the buyout (paid over six years), while McElwain contributed $2 million (also paid over a period of time).

As the teams meet this week, McElwain be at Michigan as the wide receivers coach. That means fewer questions for CSU coach Mike Bobo and the McElwainera players still on roster.

Bobo has experience at Florida’s home field, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — The Swamp — but only as a player while he was at Georgia. And not much experience at that.

“Been to The Swamp one time. I was a redshirt freshman; Eric Zeier was the quarterback,” Bobo said. “We got drilled (5214). I was on the sideline, and the student section is right there. When you have the last name Bobo, that was kinda fun the whole game, to listen what the students yell at you to Bobo the Clown to Dumbo. I mean, I had it all back then.

“I actually got in the game. I had like a 7yard scramble, I think. That might be the longest run of my career.” Footnotes. Assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Ronnie Letson was up in the box calling plays for the Arkansas game, and he did so throughout, save for two plays Bobo said he called. One was a quarterback sneak, the other a slant to Preston Williams. Bobo said Letson will call plays again this week at Florida. Bobo said until he can be 100 percent in that room, he will not be calling plays. … Receiver Warren Jackson and defensive end Richard King missed the Arkansas game, and Jackson (knee bruise) should be back, but King is questionable (shoulder).