Maybe — just maybe — the news that Florida State has finally agreed to “vacate” 12 football victories from Bobby Bowden’s total will send a message to other institutions bent on cheating.

Maybe … but I doubt it.

Still, it’s good news that the NCAA refused to back down from its sanctions. The FSU excuse that Bowden had no knowledge of the cheating and thus shouldn’t have to pay the penalty is no alibi at all.

At some point, institutions must begin to accept responsibility for the actions that occur under their umbrella. An overzealous tutor, a too-kind booster — the price must be paid by the athletic departments. Only then will those same departments begin to pay close attention to what’s happening around them.

I hope the next school on the list is Southern Cal. We’re sure to hear the same excuse from SC athletic director Mike Garrett when it comes to the Reggie Bush/agent relationship situation. Because Pete Carroll had no knowledge of the circumstances, the football team shouldn’t have to pay the penalty.

Baloney. Make it clear to student athletes, coaches, administrators, boosters — everyone connected with the program — that cheating will come with a steep price.

Then maybe some of it will be eliminated.

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