If the Florida State Seminoles are to win a critical game against Wake Forest next weekend, they’ll have to do it with redshirt freshman EJ Manuel at quarterback and not Christian Ponder.

Ponder, who's been one of the nation's most productive passers and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, separated his right (throwing) shoulder in the waning minutes of Saturday’s loss at Clemson and will be re-evaluated today (including X-rays) to determine the course of his rehabilitation. But the school already has declared him out for the game in Winston-Salem, N.C.

With the Seminoles (4-5, 2-4) needing to win two of their last three to get bowl eligible – and don’t forget they end the regular season at No. 1 Florida – that puts the heralded Manuel on the spot.

“(Offensive coordinator) Jimbo (Fisher) will just have to take him and prepare him,’’ coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday afternoon. “He’ll have to feed him what he can handle. I’m sure he’s not going to be able to feed him the whole package like he could Ponder, but he’ll feed him as much as he feels like he can handle and go from there.’’