As disappointing as the season has been for Florida State, the Seminoles are still set to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title and gain a spot in a BCS bowl game.

The 15th-ranked Seminoles, 7-3 overall, are 6-0 in the ACC and heavily favored to beat North Carolina (2-8, 0-6) on Saturday.

With a victory Florida State claims the ACC, all but wraps up one of six automatic BCS bowl spots given to conference champions, and would likely play in the Sugar or Orange bowls.

Maryland (8-2, 4-1) has a remote chance at the ACC’s BCS spot, but needs to win out, hope NC State beats Florida State in two weeks and then finish five spots ahead of the Seminoles in the final BCS standings on Dec. 8.

Florida State, meanwhile, is out to avenge last year’s 41-9 loss to the Tar Heels, an early-season defeat that started the Seminoles on their way to an 8-4 season and brought an end to a nine-year run of ACC titles.

With a new QB in Adrian McPherson, and Nick Maddox in for injured running back Greg Jones, Florida State is refreshed and looking for a strong finish.

“This time a year ago, you couldn’t determine who was going to win the ACC championship,” Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said. “You had to depend on somebody else to beat somebody else. Now at least it’s in your hands. If you win out, you’re it. We’ve got nobody to blame.”

A Florida State win coupled with a Clemson win against Maryland later Saturday would make the Seminoles the first team to clinch a BCS bowl berth.

Other games with conference title implications:

• In the Big 12, Colorado (7-3, 5-1) clinches the North with a victory against fading Iowa State (7-4, 4-3). A win puts the defending league champion Buffaloes in the league title game on Dec. 7. Oklahoma (8-1, 4-1) holds the edge over Texas (9-1, 5-1) in the South thanks to a win against the Longhorns earlier in the season.
• In the SEC, Georgia (9-1, 6-1) clinches the East with a win at Auburn (7-3, 4-2) :quot; or if Florida loses to South Carolina. If Georgia wins, then LSU (7-2, 4-1) would clinch the West with a victory against Alabama (8-2, 5-1) later Saturday. The division winners play in the SEC title game on Dec. 7.

The Crimson Tide are ineligible for the SEC title.

• In the Pac-10, first-place Washington State (9-1, 6-0) is off, but USC (7-2, 5-1) needs a win against Arizona State to keep its slim title hopes alive.
• The Big Ten is up for grabs between No. 2 Ohio State (11-0, 6-0) and No. 6 Iowa (10-1, 7-0). The Buckeyes play at Illinois (4-6, 3-3), while the Hawkeyes visit Minnesota (7-3, 3-3).
• The next big game in the Big East is Nov. 21, when No. 1 Miami (9-0, 4-0) visits No. 18 Pittsburgh (8-2, 5-0). Both teams are off this weekend.

The picks:

No. 2 Ohio State (minus 8 1/2) at Illinois

Anyone mention Michigan’s up next for Buckeyes? … OHIO STATE, 27-21.

No. 4 Oklahoma (minus 36) at Baylor

No mercy … OKLAHOMA, 52-0.

No. 4 Texas (minus 6) at Texas Tech

‘Horns defense contains Tech QB Kingsbury … TEXAS, 35-24.

No. 6 Iowa (minus 10 1/2) at Minnesota

Forget Big Ten titles, this is for the Floyd of Rosedale …. IOWA, 34-21.

No. 7 Georgia (minus 2 1/2) at Auburn

QB David Greene passes ‘Dawgs to division title … GEORGIA, 24-21.

Arizona State (plus 14 1/2) at No. 8 USC

USC QB Palmer is finally living up to expectations … USC, 41-24.

No. 10 Alabama (minus 2) at No. 14 LSU

Tigers riding wave of last week’s miracle win … LSU, 24-21.

Nebraska (plus 10 1/2) at No. 11 Kansas State

Humbled ‘Huskers keep it close … KANSAS STATE, 31-24.

Wisconsin (plus 10 1/2) at No. 12 Michigan

Badgers have lost five of last six … MICHIGAN, 31-17.

North Carolina (plus 32) at No. 15 Florida State

Seminoles have rare breather … FLORIDA STATE, 49-13.

No. 16 Penn State (minus 21) at Indiana

Hoosiers can’t stop Lions RB Larry Johnson … PENN STATE, 35-17.

Iowa State (plus 7 1/2) at No. 17 Colorado

Cyclones QB Wallace needs help … COLORADO, 31-14.

No. 19 Maryland (minus 4 1/2) at Clemson

Coach Friedgen’s Terps looking for eighth straight win … CLEMSON, 31-30.

South Carolina (plus 14 1/2) at No. 20 Florida

Gators 8-0 vs. Gamecocks in Gainesville … FLORIDA, 34-14.

No. 21 Colorado State (minus 12 1/2) at San Diego State

Rams seeking another Mountain West title … COLORADO STATE, 34-18.

No. 22 North Carolina State (minus 7) at Virginia

Three-game slide for Wolfpack? … VIRGINIA, 28-27.

Washington (plus 7) at No. 23 Oregon

Ducks can prevent Huskies from winning season … OREGON, 34-30.

¢

Last week: 16-6 (straight); 10-12 (vs. points)

Season: 161-54 (straight); 106-98 (vs. points)