The Wiz of Odds

The End of an Era

Bobby Bowden resigned under pressure Tuesday, ending a 34-year run as Florida State coach. Bowden, 80, who has been a head coach for 44 years, won 388 games — second to Joe Paterno's 393 — and two national championships. He will get a chance to add one more victory to his total when he coaches the 6-6 Seminoles in a bowl game.

A look at reaction from around the country:

Report: Bowden Expected to Step Down Tuesday

Bobby Bowden, 80, is expected to announce his resignation as Florida State coach on Tuesday, according to a report in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Bowden met Monday morning with university president T.K. Wetherell and athletic director Randy Spetman, then spoke at his weekly booster luncheon.

"[Tuesday] we're going to meet again and have an announcement whether or not I'll be here at Florida State [and] continue another year," Bowden said when he took the podium.

Reporters questioned Bowden after he addressed the boosters, and the coach was asked if he would return in 2010.

"I'll make that decision," he said.

Jimbo Fisher will replace Bowden, the first head coaching change at Florida State in 34 years.

Latest Example of Official Having a Hand in Gator Win

The surprise is that the referee didn't dust Tim Tebow off before sending him back to the huddle. Thanks to Stan!

You Are Now Cleared for Landing on Planet Bowden

A tough decision awaits Florida State officials. Do they push Bobby Bowden, 80, out the door at the end of the season, or do they welcome the legendary coach back for the 2010 season?

Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat details two exchanges Bowden had with reporters Saturday night after the Seminoles were outscored, 19-0, in the fourth quarter of a 40-21 loss to Clemson.

Bowden: "Both of us made errors. We probably scored on some of their errors — I didn't keep up with it. But we'd turn the ball over and they’d go down and score. Then we'd turn it over and they didn't score. They'd turn it over back. And the game kind of went that way. We felt very comfortable. We knew it was a battle.

"How late was it 24-21 in our favor? How late did it get? Did that get into the fourth quarter?"

Reporter: "Nine and a half minutes left."

Bowden: "Left in the game?"

Reporter: "Yes."

Bowden: "So you're feeling comfortable, but you know that it ain't won yet. Then of course the dam broke."

Clemson Cheap Shot

Watch Clemson defensive end Andre Branch try to rip the head off Florida State guard David Spurlock during a scramble for a loose ball in Saturday's game at Clemson.

Spurlock then gets up and confronts Branch, who points toward the scoreboard. What a classless jackass.

SI.com's Andy Staples writes: "This won't get the attention the Brandon Spikes' gouge got because Branch isn't one of the best five defensive players in the country — and because, let's face it, New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert set a new standard for away-from-the-play violence last week — but Branch deserves punishment just as much as Spikes did. I know Clemson coach Dabo Swinney doesn't teach this garbage, and Swinney needs to act swiftly to eradicate such behavior from his program. He should suspend branch for a game before Branch has the chance to completely copy Spikes and suspends himself."

Thanks to Tomahawk Nation.

Hometown Columnist Calls for an End to Bowden Era

In a column that will likely bring great joy to Joe Paterno and Penn State fans, Steve Ellis of the Tallahassee Democrat has called on Florida State officials to step in and tell Bobby Bowden that this season will be his last.

"Let players — current and future — know that the Jimbo Fisher Era has a starting point — and that starting point begins once this season is over," Ellis writes.

Florida State was the preseason pick to win the Atlantic Division of the ACC, but Saturday's 28-21 loss at Boston College left the Seminoles 0-2 in league play for the first time since joining the conference in 1992.