Seminoles focused amid distractions

TALLAHASSEE — The Seminoles contend that even during this week of rumor, speculation and innuendo, they are focused on the prizes that are before them. Since summer, they talked about reaching and winning the ACC championship to earn a berth in the Orange Bowl.

It would be a shame, they are saying this week, if they let distractions from the outside take it all away.

“You’ve got to tune out the outside as best as you can,” junior S Terrence Brooks said. “We still have to take care of business this season, and all that after-the-season stuff will take care of itself after the season.”

Brooks’ statement was a response to a question about how he believed the Seminoles were managing preparations ahead of Saturday’s ACC championship against Georgia Tech, all while coaching dramas involving their own leaders played out in the background. On Tuesday, DC Mark Stoops accepted a head coaching job at Kentucky. Internet reports since have linked FSU assistant James Coley to interest in being the Wildcats’ new OC.

Seminoles RBcoach Eddie Gran has been linked to the head coaching job at Southern Mississippi. Head coach Jimbo Fisher also has been the subject of reports about Auburn’s open job.

“We’re still focused,” QB EJ Manuel said. “We like the cast that we have around us, but I don’t think we would take it personally [if assistants left].”

Next game: vs. Georgia Tech, 8 p.m., Saturday, ESPN, ACC Championship.

Game-day hashtag: #osfsu