Cheating scandal could leave FSU shorthanded in bowl

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An academic cheating scandal could leave Florida State without as many as 25 players when the Seminoles go against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl on December 31st.

School officials say several athletes will be ruled ineligible for the game against the Wildcats as well as games next season for their roles in a cheating scandal earlier this year. Coach Bobby Bowden put the figure in the 25-player range.

Federal privacy laws prohibit the school from releasing names.

Bowden has not answered questions following the team's practices on the cheating scandal that resulted in one full-time academic adviser and a student tutor losing their jobs this summer.

The university reported its findings in a letter to the NCAA in September after a six-month investigation by the school revealed at least 23 athletes in various sports were implicated for cheating on tests.