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Noles Finalize Toned-Down Schedule

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By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2008

TALLAHASSEE – Coming off back-to-back 7-6 seasons, Florida State is in a retooling stage as it attempts to rejoin the nation's elite programs.

Further proof of that arrived Friday when FSU released its 2008 schedule. Check out the Seminoles' first two opponents next season: Division I-AA lightweights Western Carolina and UT-Chattanooga. The Southern Conference schools went a combined 3-19 last season.

The Noles will play their first three games at Doak Campbell Stadium, and their first five in their home state. After hosting Western Carolina, UT-Chattanooga and Wake Forest, the Noles travel to Jacksonville for the second consecutive season – FSU defeated Alabama there last season -- to play Colorado.

The following week, FSU travels to Miami for its annual showdown with the Hurricanes, this one in Dolphins Stadium, Miami's new home now that the Orange Bowl is demolished.

"I think it is a good schedule," said FSU coach Bobby Bowden, who has rarely scheduled I-AA schools. "We gave up the Labor Day game this year, but it is nice to get back to playing at home with seven games on our own field."

For the past three years, FSU opened the season Labor Day night on ESPN, twice against Miami and last season at Clemson. But with at least 12 scholarship players facing three-game suspensions next season for their involvement in an academic cheating scandal, FSU focused on a less difficult early season schedule.

FSU's first game outside the state next season will be at North Carolina State on a Thursday night in mid-October. On the first day of November, the Noles will play at Georgia Tech for the first time in six years, followed the next week by Bowden Bowl X, FSU's annual showdown with Clemson and head coach Tommy Bowden.

"I always felt like when we got into the ACC, the two teams that would become natural rivals would be Clemson and Georgia Tech because they are so close, and this year we play both of them," Bobby Bowden said.

Season tickets and individual tickets go on sale starting Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the FSU ticket office or on-line at Seminoles.com, the school's official athletic Web site.

Game times and TV information will be released at a later date by the ACC.

2008 FSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

* At Jacksonville Municipal Stadium

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