ACC Notebook

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Florida State is considered one of the top football programs in the country over the past 20 years. That’s proven by the national championships; number of -> NFL players produced and, of course, the ability of Bobby Bowden to coach.

But, why, oh why, do the Seminoles continue to have problems finding a kicker?

Bowden said this week that Gary Cismesia’s struggles during fall camp will not deter him from starting him for Monday night’s clash against Miami (-> WagerWeb.com line: FSU +3.5).

Cismesia, a junior, is one of three players on scholarship at kicker; only Florida State would need three scholarships to be given to kickers. Cismesia is solid from under 40 yards. After that it’s a problem. He made 17 of 24 field goals in 2005. If Cismesia can’t break his funk, sophomore Graham Gano and senior Chase Googans, who made an extra point last year against The Citadel, are the possible replacements.

Bowden has to fix this situation, and fast. If he doesn’t, the Seminoles' BCS national title hopes are in trouble if any game comes down to a field goal.

The two toughest games of the season occur in the season opener at Miami and in the regular season finale against Florida.

“Starting off with Miami is going to tell us where we’re at right now,” Florida State cornerback Tony Carter said. “We can start off injury-free ... meeting them in the 10th game of the season we may have guys banged up or things of that sort, so it’s good to start out with them. I like it. It gets you ready from the start.”

Clemson: Coach Tommy Bowden said his biggest concern about Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic (WagerWeb.com line: Clemson -32) is using young players. Bowden said he will play 19 freshmen and redshirt freshmen plus walk-on punter Jimmy Maners. Bowden also said six sophomores will play on defense.

Wake Forest: Syracuse, Wake Forest’s season-opening opponent, has changed offensive schemes. The Orangemen are moving from the option to the West Coast offense under first-year coordinator Brian White. Demon Deacons coach Jim Grobe said the new offensive scheme makes it difficult to prepare for with no film to view. “It’ll probably be sometime around the middle of the first quarter before we start figuring things out,” Grobe said.

Virginia Tech: Youth dominates the quarterback position as Virginia Tech opens the 2006 season. Sean Glennon, a sophomore, is the starter with redshirt freshmen Ike Whitaker and Cory Holt as the backups. The three players have only 10 college snaps of experience.