by Digger

Florida State University (7-5) has suspended up to 25 football players from participating in the Music City Bowl vs Kentucky (7-5) on New Years Eve.

The suspensions were handed out after a six month investigation into allegations of player academic cheating. Players names have been withheld and many will speculate when FSU takes the field 20-25 men short. Some players suspensions are rumored to carry over into 2008.

Excerpts of FSU's report state a part time tutor helped athletes with exams and an athletic department employee typed papers, filled in answers to quiz questions (often times without the player being present). Yet to be reported is the extent of academic fraud. Rumored reports claim as many as 900 FSU students are under investigation.

Legendary Head Coach Bobby Bowden's once feared teams have fallen on hard times in recent years. Bowden guided FSU to 11 consecutive Bowl victories from 1985-1995 and 10 or victories 14 straight years (1987-2000). Since 2001, FSU has won 10 games only once and haven't won a conference title since 2005.

FSU may also face official sanctions from the NCAA... especially when considering athletic department employees conspired with players.

2007 has been a scandal filled year in sports. NFL, MLB, Soccer, Biking, Nascar, Tennis, NCAA right down to reports of suspected referee misconduct at youth football games in Richardson Texas.