‘NOLES CONSIDERING AN APPEAL OF SANCTIONS

As brought to you earlier today by the esteemed Keith Arnold, Florida State was hit with numerous penalties for the seemingly never-ending academic fraud case that’s hung over the school’s head since 2007.While Florida State is apparently OK with the vast majority of sanctions, the fact that they may have to vacate wins for both the ’06 and ’07 seasons is not sitting well with the university. In fact, there could be an appeal down the not-too-distant road.In a press release addressing the penalties levied today by the NCAA, Florida State hinted very strongly that appealing that singular portion of the sanctions is very much an option which is in play."However, because it never knowingly played student-athletes who were ineligible and followed eligibility guidelines with which the NCAA agreed, the university will seek clarification of a specific penalty requiring it to vacate wins and will consider its appellate opportunities under NCAA procedures,” the school said, in part, in the press release.Of course, if Florida State is forced to vacate wins on the football field, head coach Bobby Bowden could be forced to do so as well.And, as he’s currently in a neck-and-neck battle with Joe Paterno for the all-time lead in career wins, any victories taken away would surely mean Bowden would leave FSU without any chance of carrying that mantle along with him.While it may or may not matter to Bowden, it certainly means something to the university. And they will likely pursue whatever means available to them to ensure their long-time coach has a dog in the all-time victory hunt.