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FSU Gears Up For Badgers

The Associated Press

Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill carries the ball during practice for the Champs Sports Bowl game in Orlando.

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By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: December 22, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - In between a season that fell short of ACC championship aspirations and another important offseason on the recruiting trail, there is a Champs Sports Bowl game Saturday for Florida State to play.

That means facing a challenging Wisconsin team that is drawing comparisons by FSU players and coaches to a Boston College team that physically manhandled the Seminoles in a 27-17 defeat in mid-November.

The Badgers running game that led the Big Ten with 212 yards per game ranks foremost among those challenges.

"They're one of those teams you're always concerned about - can you get the ball back?" FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "They are a big, strong, north-south running football team. And they are kind of like Boston College. I think the big concern is can you get the ball away from them. They'll take the stinking ball and eat up the clock."

Georgia Tech ran against FSU but did so out of the option. Boston College finished with 176 rushing yards and Florida, with three players with more than 80 yards each, rushed for 317 yards.

But FSU cornerback Patrick Robinson and linebacker Toddrick Verdell said this Wisconsin team, from what they've seen on film, pounds the ball more than any they've faced.

That puts a premium on tackling - a big part of FSU's focus during practices in Tallahassee that ended Friday.

"Arm tackles are not going to take this guy down," linebacker Dekoda Watson said of leading Wisconsin rusher P.J. Hill. "They are just like old school football team. They are going to power and I bet you they are going to come the first couple of plays ... try to run us down and see what we got."

The Seminoles begin final preparations for Wisconsin, 7-5 after ranking No. 8 early in the season, this afternoon in Orlando.

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