College Football | Up to 25 players for Florida State could miss bowl

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — An academic-misconduct case could leave Florida State without as many as 25 players for its Music City Bowl game against Kentucky on Dec. 31, Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden said Tuesday.

"We have some players not traveling for one reason and some for another, including those who are ineligible for the bowl because of academic issues," Bowden said in a statement released by the university. "Kentucky would be a tough opponent when we are at full strength so clearly this will make things more difficult."

According to sources, the group of players who will not compete in the bowl includes 11 with starting experience. The disciplined players include at least seven players who are either walk-ons or would not have played in the bowl game for reasons other than being involved in the misconduct case.

Additionally, sources said five players admitted to wrongdoing. Two others were ruled ineligible earlier in the season as part of the original group of 23 student-athletes from various sports who acknowledged receiving improper help for an online test from a former tutor employed by the athletic department.

Specific reasons or names of players missing the bowl game will not be announced because of federal student-privacy laws, according to Lee Hinkle, vice president of university relations.

Involved players will continue to practice but will not travel with the team to Nashville, Tenn., for the game.

Players who have admitted wrongdoing and aren't seniors are expected to be suspended for 3.6 games, including the bowl, although the exact penalty is not believed to have been determined by the NCAA.

Notes

• Junior Rodney Ferguson, New Mexico's top rusher the last two seasons, won't play in Saturday's New Mexico Bowl against Nevada because he is academically ineligible.

• There is some doubt whether UCLA starting quarterback Ben Olson, who reportedly has discomfort in a knee that was injured in early October, will be able to compete in Saturday's Las Vegas Bowl against Brigham Young, The Orange County Register reported.

• Boise State, which plays East Carolina in Sunday's Hawaii Bowl, practiced in Honolulu. Broncos coach Chris Petersen announced the team's top receiver, Jeremy Childs, and two reserve players didn't make the trip and will miss the game for violating team rules.

• Clemson linebackers Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie and offensive tackle Christian Capote won't play in the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn because of poor academic performance.

• Junior running back Kevin Smith of Central Florida said he plans to return for his senior season. He has 2,448 rushing yards, 180 short of the NCAA record Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State set in the 1988 season. Smith has a chance to surpass Sanders' mark in the Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl.

• Missouri tight end Chase Coffman said he expects to return for his senior season rather than enter the NFL draft, but added he isn't ready to make that decision final.

• Miami defensive coordinator Tim Walton was fired by coach Randy Shannon.

• West Virginia officials defended the school against complaints from wealthy boosters who are furious about the administration's failure to offer former coach Rich Rodriguez a deal to remain with the Mountaineers. Rodriguez took the Michigan job this week.

Meanwhile, associate head coach Bill Stewart was named West Virginia's interim coach.

• Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner, was voted AP Player of the Year.