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FLORIDA STATE (8-4) VS. WISCONSIN (7-5)

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2008

AT STAKE

Coming off a disappointing 30-point loss to rival Florida, the Seminoles will look to close with their most victories in a season since going 9-3 in 2004. The Seminoles are good enough to win as long as QB Christian Ponder avoids making critical mistakes. Florida State should be able to run the ball, and if the game remains close in the fourth quarter, its special teams could make the difference.

KEY STAT

FSU coach Bobby Bowden has lost four of his past six bowl games, but he still has the fourth-best career bowl winning percentage of anyone who has coached in at least 12 bowls (20-10-1). His experience could give him a major advantage over Wisconsin's Bret Bielema, who is completing the most disappointing season in his three-year tenure. The Badgers opened the season 13th in the AP poll and needed a late rally just to become bowl eligible.

KEY MATCHUP

Florida State QB Christian Ponder ranks 89th in the nation in passing efficiency, and he hasn't even been as effective as those numbers suggest. Throw out his two big performances against overmatched FCS (formerly Division I-AA) foes Western Carolina and Chattanooga, and Ponder has thrown 13 interceptions and only six touchdown passes. Ponder has plenty of talented receiving targets, but he could have a tough time finding them against a Wisconsin team that ranks 21st in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Florida State DE Everette Brown isn't the most consistent pass rusher in the nation, but he's definitely one of the best. Brown ranks third in the nation with 12.5 sacks and had three-sack games in victories against Virginia Tech, Clemson and Maryland. In the regular-season finale against Florida in Tallahassee, Brown didn't deliver a sack, and the Seminoles were routed 45-15.

PREDICTION

FSU 27, Wisconsin 17

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