TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- When Bobby Bowden finally decides to slip quietly into retirement, he believes Florida State fans will remember the good times -- and not the program's recent slide -- that happened during his storied coaching career. One question: Does his career have any chance at a storybook ending?
FSU's dramatic 29-26 home victory over Maryland Saturday helped an already wounded Seminole Nation avoid further grief, if not slow a potentially uncomfortable showdown with its iconic coach. Instead, the Seminoles (6-5) breathed a collective sigh of relief and became bowl eligible for the 28th straight year.
Another streak is on the line at top-ranked Florida next Saturday.
Much of the credit for Clemson's turnaround this season goes to its offense. Let us count the ways.
During Clemson's current five-game winning streak -- the program's longest in three seasons -- the Tigers have scored at least 38 points in each game, a program first. During that span, Clemson has averaged 42 points per game, 425 total yards per game, 6.87 yards per play and 220 passing yards a game.
No wonder the Tigers, who had lost three of their first five games by a total of 10 points, are positioned to clinch their first trip to the ACC title game with a home victory Saturday against struggling Virginia.
Of course, Clemson's success on offense revolves around all-purpose back and Heisman Trophy hopeful C.J. Spiller. Spiller needs 103 all-purpose yards to break the ACC single-season record of 2,054, held by Virginia's Thomas Jones.
In last Saturday's victory over N.C. State, Spiller had a 16-yard touchdown run, caught a 34-yard scoring pass and threw a 17-yard touchdown to Xavier Dye, becoming the first Clemson player to do all three in one game.
Florida State needs two more victories in its final three games to become bowl eligible and avoid its first losing season since 1976. The Seminoles will have to accomplish both without their starting quarterback.
Redshirt junior Christian Ponder will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in two weeks, FSU coach Bobby Bowden told his weekly luncheon crowd Monday at FSU's University Center.
Ponder suffered a Grade 3 separation of his right (throwing) shoulder late in the game against Clemson Saturday, and had already been ruled out of Saturday's game at Wake Forest. Heralded recruit E.J. Manuel will get his first start against the Demon Deacons.
It's becoming clear that Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who turn 80 on Sunday, wants to coach the Seminoles in 2010.
The feisty Bowden has tipped his hand many times since coming under fire from high-level boosters, fans and the media following a 2-4 start.
Consecutive victories over North Carolina and North Carolina State have helped quiet restless critics -- and a victory Saturday at Clemson would vault FSU into second place in the ACC Atlantic Division -- and Bowden said Wednesday he will make the final call on who replaces retiring Mickey Andrews as defensive coordinator.
However, Bowden also stressed that head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher will make a strong contribution to the process, so don't expect a disagreement conspiracy between the pair.
It has reached this point at Florida State: panicking Seminole fans are searching for victories.
At 2-4, FSU and head coach Bobby Bowden need to find four more victories in their remaining six games to become bowl eligible. That challenge starts Thursday night in a nationally-televised game at North Carolina. The Seminoles close October against North Carolina State and tangle with Clemson, Wake Forest, Maryland and Florida in November.
FSU has played in 27 consecutive bowl games dating back to 1981, when the Seminoles went 6-5.
As Gainer read the details Monday afternoon surrounding the stabbing death of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard, an eerie feeling overcame him. A day doesn't go by that Gainer doesn't think about -- even talk to -- his former friend and Florida State teammate, Pablo Lopez (pictured right).
Lopez was shot to death outside a campus dance in 1986. Gainer rushed to Lopez's side and held his hand as the offensive lineman lay mortally wounded.
There are at least two unidentified Connecticut players who have been so strongly affected by the stabbing death of Howard that they may not play Saturday at West Virginia. One player held Howard in his arms, while another tried to address the wound and was covered in blood.
Virginia Tech travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday in what may be the biggest hurdle left on the Hokies' regular season schedule. The fourth-ranked Hokies are in prime position to be in the national title race with some help. They will also virtually wrap up the ACC Coastal Division with a win in Atlanta.
Of course, this isn't expected to be a walk in the park for Tech either.
The Yellow Jackets, who have won three straight, present a unique challenge to the Virginia Tech defense behind their triple-option. Over the last three games, Georgia Tech has averaged 472.3 yards of total offense. The Hokies, always strong on defense and special teams, appear to be finally clicking on all cylinders now that quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Ryan Williams are propelling the offense.
A solid rivalry has developed between Boston College and Virginia Tech.
While the Eagles have won the last three regular-season games against the Hokies, Virginia Tech has beaten Boston College when its counted most in the past two ACC Championship games. Plenty is at stake again when the two tangle Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
"These guys are a premier program in the country and they haven't skipped a beat since the last time we saw them," BC coach Frank Spaziani said.
Weinke, who finished his Florida State career with a 32-3 record as a starter, leading the Seminoles to a national championship in 1999 and, at age 28, becoming the oldest player in history to win the Heisman Trophy, has heard the latest -- and most powerful -- criticism directed at FSU head coach Bobby Bowden.
"My hope is that it doesn't end ugly," Weinke told FanHouse Tuesday afternoon.
"That's my worst nightmare. He doesn't deserve it to end ugly. I understand [the fans] frustration, but at some point you have to take a step back and look what this individual guy has done for the university. That's the way I feel, and I am going to always feel, and nobody is going to change my mind. He doesn't deserve it to end ugly -- it's not right."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a perfect world, Bobby Bowden's final home game as Florida State's legendary head coach should come against rival Florida. That scenario is scheduled to occur in November, 2010.
Is Nov. 21, 2009, against Maryland more realistic?
A lack of progress, a dysfunctional coaching staff and Bowden's insistence that he doesn't plan to retire anytime soon has put university officials in an awkward situation, prompting one athletic department official to tell FanHouse Monday that "the university is suffering. We need to take the emotion out of this decision. In reality, this has evolved into a business decision."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- When Bobby Bowden finally decides to slip quietly into retirement, he believes Florida State fans will remember the good times -- and not the program's recent slide -- that happened during his storied coaching career. One question: Does his career have any chance at a storybook ending?
Much of the credit for Clemson's turnaround this season goes to its offense. Let us count the ways. 
Florida State needs two more victories in its final three games to become bowl eligible and avoid its first losing season since 1976. The 
It's becoming clear that Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who turn 80 on Sunday, wants to coach the 
It has reached this point at Florida State: panicking Seminole fans are searching for victories.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Herb Gainer's heart sagged.
Virginia Tech travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday in what may be the biggest hurdle left on the 
A solid rivalry has developed between Boston College and Virginia Tech.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Chris Weinke is fearful.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a perfect world, Bobby Bowden's final home game as Florida State's legendary head coach should come against rival Florida. That scenario is scheduled to occur in November, 2010. 
