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Bowden Wants Focus On BC

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Antone Smith and FSU must get past Boston College this weekend to stay in contention for the ACC title.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2008

Updated: 11/13/2008 01:25 am

For the Florida State Seminoles, there's a clear route to the ACC Championship Game, set for Dec. 6 at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.

FSU (7-2, 4-2) must defeat Boston College on Saturday night, then win at Maryland on Nov. 22.

Additionally, Wake Forest (6-3, 4-2) must suffer one more conference defeat. The Demon Deacons face N.C. State on Saturday before concluding league play against Boston College on Nov. 22.

Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden wants to uncomplicate the scenario.

"If you don't beat Boston College this week, it's all over anyway," Bowden said. "You need not look past that."

By the time FSU lines up against Boston College, the Wake-N.C. State result will be known. Should the Wolfpack pull an upset, undoubtedly it will add significant juice to the FSU sideline.

But again, FSU must take care of its business, regardless.

"You would sure like it better if it's in your hands," Bowden said. "The last time it was in our hands, we got beat by Georgia Tech, 31-28. Now that part of it is in Wake Forest's hands. I don't worry about it one bit, because there's nothing I can do about that."

FSU's predicament can be traced to Sept. 20, when the Seminoles were beaten at home by Wake Forest, 12-3. The Seminoles surrendered only four field goals, but they were undone by seven turnovers (including five interceptions).

"As far as worrying about the Wake Forest game, there's no sense in that," Bowden said. "That game is gone. I can't play it again, can't do it over. All we can do is look ahead."

TRIPLE HONORS: FSU swept this week's ACC honors with guard Rodney Hudson, place-kicker Graham Gano and defensive end Neefy Moffett claiming player of the week awards for their work in a 41-27 victory against Clemson.

Hudson, a 19-year-old sophomore who didn't redshirt, has become a particular standout.

"The only one I can think of close to that an offensive lineman starting from the beginning is Jamie Dukes when he came here," Bowden said. "We used to never play a freshman offensive lineman.

"Rodney is an excellent athlete and a hard worker. You can't hardly beat that combination. He sets the example by the way he works. He doesn't miss practice. He doesn't miss drills. Every time you open the door, he's there. If he's supposed to be there at 7, he'll be there five minutes early. That kind of guy."

LOUCKS STANDS OUT: FSU men's basketball guard Luke Loucks, a 6-foot-5 freshman from Clearwater High, had a team-high 10 assists in Tuesday night's 96-53 exhibition victory against Florida Tech.

"That's one of the things that excites us," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "He is one of those guys who actually really gets more excited about getting an assist than he does a score. I think because of that you see a lot of players really moving the ball and making an extra pass as well."

FSU opens the regular season on Saturday night at Jacksonville University.

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