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Path To Tampa Hits Roadblock

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2008

Updated: 11/16/2008 12:56 am

TALLAHASSEE - Handed a clear-cut path at making the ACC Championship Game in Tampa, the Florida State Seminoles might have played themselves out of realistic contention with Saturday night's 27-17 loss against Boston College.

Meanwhile, the Miami Hurricanes regained control of their ACC fate - without playing a game.

That was the story after another topsy-turvy weekend in the league.

Ninety minutes before kickoff between BC and FSU, several thousand fans roared as they watched the completion of N.C. State's 21-17 victory against Wake Forest on the giant video board above Doak Campbell Stadium. Wake's defeat meant FSU could be back in control.

Instead, the Seminoles (7-3, 4-3) laid an egg, falling behind by two touchdowns in the first quarter and failing to capitalize on their gift-wrapped opportunity.

Now Maryland (7-3, 4-2) is the ACC Atlantic Division front-runner. With victories against FSU (Saturday night) and Boston College (Nov. 29), the Terrapins will head to Tampa on Dec. 6 for the ACC title game at Raymond James Stadium.

Meanwhile, Miami (7-3, 4-2) slipped into command of the ACC Coastal. North Carolina was beaten 17-15 at Maryland, clearing a path for the Hurricanes, who must win at Georgia Tech (Thursday) and N.C. State (Nov. 29) to clinch their appearance in Tampa.

FSU must beat Maryland, then have two more chips fall - Wake Forest must lose its ACC finale Saturday against BC, then Maryland must defeat BC on Nov. 29.

That scenario would put FSU and Maryland at 5-3 in the ACC Atlantic (FSU wins the head-to-head tiebreaker), ahead of BC and Wake at 4-4.

That's also a lot of chips.

"I'm sure we would be welcomed into the game this year, especially because it's in Tampa," said FSU coach Bobby Bowden, setting a hopeful tone before Saturday night's game. "Having Florida State or Miami in the game - or can you imagine if we both made it? - would really make it a special event in the state."

FSU lost its ACC opener against Wake Forest 12-3, when the Seminoles committed seven turnovers. Then it fell at Georgia Tech 31-28 when Marcus Sims lost a fumble in the end zone as FSU was poised to claim a late victory.

Miami has recovered from two home ACC losses - 28-24 against North Carolina and 41-39 against FSU. The Hurricanes, who won or shared seven Big East Conference championships in 12 seasons, never have won the ACC since joining the league in 2004.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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