Linebacker Dekoda Watson, cornerback Patrick Robinson, who had six interceptions, and three top defensive tackles were among the players sidelined either as a result of the ongoing investigation into an academic cheating scandal at the school or some other violation of team rules.

"It is very important that the media make clear that those missing the bowl trip are not included because of either injury or for a violation of team policy," associate athletic director Rob Wilson said in a statement accompanying the travel list. "It would be irresponsible to imply or state that any or all of the student-athletes will miss the trip for one particular reason."

Junior quarterback Xavier Lee, who started three games for the Seminoles, was among offensive players not traveling. The offensive line was also hit hard with tackle Caz Piurowski, offensive tackle Damon Rose and guard Jackie Claude not making the trip.

A violation of team rules could range from poor class attendance to a run-in with the law or failing a drug test, among many other things.

And while the school usually has a couple of casualties after the first semester, never has a Bobby Bowden-coached team limped off to postseason play without this many players.

"You have 22 positions out there and some you'd be more concerned about than others," Bowden said following Friday's practice. "I think we've gotten everything we could out of it."

Thirteen of the names missing from the travel list had started games this season for Florida State. Nine of the players were non-scholarship athletes.

Meanwhile, former Florida State athletic director David Hart Jr. rebutted part of Florida State President T.K. Wetherell's statement Friday that could have implied that the scandal led to Hart's leaving the university a year before his contract expired.