Virginia Tech Prepares for ACC Clash With No. 24 Florida State

Both schools vying for spot in ACC title game

Florida State's Bobby Bowden loves elusive quarterbacks -- as long as they're on his side.

The 78-year-old Bowden has been distracted during this week's film study by Virginia Tech's sophomore Tyrod Taylor, who ranks among the Atlantic Coast Conference's leading rushers going into Saturday's game at Florida State.

"He's our biggest concern," Bowden said. "He's got danger written all over."

His 24th-ranked Seminoles (5-1, 2-1 ACC) face the Hokies (5-2, 2-1) with both schools needing wins in a wide-open race for spots in the league's title game in December.

Bowden got a firsthand look in last year's meeting, when Taylor came off the bench to lead the Hokies to a 40-21 victory. Bowden talks about Taylor in the same way as he does former Hokies star Michael Vick and Florida's Tim Tebow, who wrapped up his Heisman Trophy last year when his throwing and running led the Gators to an easy win over the Seminoles.

"Elusive," said Bowden, who captured his first national title 15 years ago with his an escape artist of his own, former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Charlie Ward.

The Hokies have a leg up in the ACC's Coastal Division because they're unbeaten within that grouping while Florida State needs help to win the Atlantic Division.

The Seminoles must keep winning and hope Wake Forest loses again to have a shot at the Dec. 6 championship game in Tampa.

Florida State also plays Boston College and Maryland next month, two schools also contending for the Atlantic division crown.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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