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FSU Earns Trip To Orlando

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By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: December 8, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State will be making its first postseason appearance in Orlando in 24 years as the Seminoles extend the nation's longest active bowl streak to 27 consecutive seasons.

FSU (8-4) was selected Sunday to play in the Champs Sports Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Dec. 27 (4:30 p.m., ESPN).

Although it had been considered FSU's likely bowl destination for a week, North Carolina and Boston College also were considered possible ACC representatives in that game.

FSU will play Big Ten member Wisconsin (7-5) for the first time in school history. It brings together two programs who implemented head coach-in-waiting plans.

The Seminoles also will be playing for their ninth victory of the season, something they last achieved in 2004. The Badgers will become the 70th current FBS team FSU has played. There are 119 FBS teams, including FSU.

"I like the contrast - the North vs. South contrast," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "That's better than playing somebody from Mississippi or somebody from Louisiana."

The 1984 Citrus Bowl was the last time FSU appeared in the postseason in Orlando, when the Seminoles tied Georgia 17-17. Orlando is also special to Bowden because the 1977 Tangerine Bowl capped his first 10-win season - and first postseason appearance - as FSU's coach.

The Seminoles at one point were considered to be headed to the Gator Bowl, but that selection committee instead went with Clemson (7-5), a team that FSU defeated during the regular season. But Bowden was pleased that FSU was playing in Orlando for the first time since 1996, when it defeated Wake Forest during a regular-season game at the Citrus Bowl.

Bowden said he had not talked to his players about the bowl-selection process, but he is certain they are not upset because they were passed by the Gator Bowl.

"I think it was better of us to get to go to Orlando," Bowden said. "Both of them are great bowls but it's probably best we go to Orlando."

The Emerald Bowl in San Francisco, where FSU played following the 2006 season, was looking at a possible FSU-California matchup if the Seminoles tumbled from the top three non-Bowl Championship Series picks with ACC ties.

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