The University of Kentucky football team was hoping to play in an upper-crust bowl. And yes, Florida State might not be at full strength due to an academic cheating scandal. But don't tell the Wildcats (7-5) this bowl trip has lost its luster.

The seniors and coach Rich Brooks remember when getting to .500 seemed like climbing Mount Everest.

It's still a bowl game. It's still Florida State, coached by the legendary Bobby Bowden.

So don't rain on their parade. UK says there is plenty of excitement for the Music City Bowl.

"Obviously, in the first week we're pretty disappointed about not getting a chance to go in there and play at a better bowl," senior quarterback Andre Woodson said. "Then you realize that you still have another opportunity to play. ... Right now I think the guys are pumped up to play this game, to play against Florida State. That's one of the big-time programs ever. I think we're pretty excited and ready to play."

Even now the mention of last year's Music City Bowl experience brings a smile to his face.

Andre Woodson was the game's MVP, passing for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-20 victory over Clemson.

Senior tight end Jacob Tamme pointed out two things. First, Florida State is making its 26th bowl appearance to UK's second in a row. Second, the Wildcats haven't won consecutive bowl games since 1951 (Sugar) and '52 (Cotton).

"Think about what was going on 50 years ago," Tamme said. "That's unbelievable. That is a different world. Watch the History Channel. That's not too long after World War II. We have a chance to do something that hasn't been done since then? That's awesome. That's special."

Tamme added: "From where we've come from to even have a chance to be disappointed with back-to-back bowl games, it shows where we've brought expectations to."

UK played up the Music City Bowl but played down the Florida State cheating scandal. On Tuesday FSU revealed that as many as 25 players might be suspended for the game. The names of the players have not been released, but the Tallahassee Democrat reported that 11 had starting experience.

The scandal potentially puts UK in an awkward position. If the Wildcats win, some might point out that Florida State didn't have a full roster. If the Wildcats lose, then it could look embarrassing. That's not a theory that UK spends time thinking about.

"If we win with their players suspended or without their players, it's still going to be a win for us," senior linebacker Wesley Woodyard said. "We're still going to be excited about it no matter what. … We don't know who's suspended. Coach Brooks stressed that to us. We're not going to worry about who's not playing. We're going to take care of ourselves."

When Brooks was asked if this game puts more pressure on UK to win, he reminded the media that many thought the Wildcats should have beaten Mississippi State. They lost 31-14. The coach stressed that the Wildcats are preparing to play Florida State's system rather than specific players.

"Usually, unless it's the first game of the season, you're going to have players missing," Brooks said. "We don't know who is missing. This may be the longest suspension story I've ever heard of in my life. There's nothing forthcoming out of it. …We know we're going to play a very good football team whether they have all their people or not."

Brooks added that he'll likely know who the suspended players will be next week.

"I'm sure when they arrive in Nashville we'll know who is going to play because ineligible players cannot make the trip," he said. "So we will know when they get there, if not sooner."

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