The Wiz of Odds

Florida State

The Seminoles return eight starters on offense, including quarterback Christian Ponder and the entire offensive line. The defense, which has only five players back, will have to grow up quickly, especially with Miami coming to Tallahassee for the Sept. 7 opener. After a meaningless game five days later against Division I-AA Jacksonville State, Florida State travels to Provo to play Brigham Young, then plays host to South Florida. The season finale is Nov. 28 at Florida. Given the way many programs avoid competition in nonconference play, you have to applaud the Seminoles scheduling three quality out-of-league games. Thanks to Jason. Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.

Florida State Prez Cuts to the (Bowden-Paterno) Chase

Make no mistake about it. Florida State's appeal of NCAA sanctions in an academic fraud case is about one thing: Bobby Bowden's wins.

T.K. Wetherell, Florida State's president, had a news conference Tuesday to talk about the appeal. It was smooth sailing for the first 33 minutes until somebody mentioned Bowden's chase to become the most victorious coach in major college football. Bowden currently trails Joe Paterno by one victory, but the NCAA wants to strip 14 from Bowden's total.

In addition, Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi wrote last Saturday that Bowden really didn't deserve the winningest title, considering 31 of his victories came at tiny Division I-AA Howard College (now Samford).

Wetherell went "loopy" at the mere mention of somebody questioning Bowden's victory total.

"Now, we understand all the rest of it. We’ve heard Bianchi over there saying, well hell, 31 wins don’t count anyway because they were at some dipshit school..."

Cheaters

Getting caught up after a virus slowed our progress over the weekend. ...

We appear to have a winner in the Joe Paterno-Bobby Bowden sweepstakes for most victories by a Division I-A coach. The NCAA says Florida State must vacate up to 14 victories that occurred during a massive academic-fraud scandal that involved everyone this side of Myron Rolle. For those keeping score at home, Bowden trails Paterno, 383-382. Bowden is 79 and Paterno 82, and taking 14 victories from Bowden would seemingly clinch it for Paterno.

Carr Had a Big Hand in Seminoles' Victory

Lanky Florida State receiver Greg Carr also had a spectacular catch, one that rivaled Hakeem Nicks' snag against West Virginia. The 6-foot-6 senior pulls in a touchdown pass against Wisconsin with his right hand.

Three Packs of Cigarettes

Clemson's Dabo Swinney gives ESPN's Todd Harris a preview of his halftime speech during Saturday's game against Florida State. Whatever message Swinney was planning to get across to his team, it didn't work. The Seminoles smoked the Tigers in the second half, 21-10, in cruising to a 41-27 victory at Tallahassee.

Florida State Gets a Rude A-Wakening

Photographic evidence that there was no better place to be last Saturday than Tallahassee, site of the Wake Forest-Florida State game.

Our man Greg was on the scene to see if Bobby Bowden's troops could end a two-game losing streak to the Demon Deacons. No such luck. Florida State committed seven turnovers and lost, 12-3. That's right. Once mighty Florida State has lost three in a row to Wake Forest.

It has been a painful fall for the Seminoles since they finished 12-0 and won the national title in 1999. Florida State hasn't finished in the top 10 in the last seven years, has gone 7-6 each of the last two years and is 12-13 in its past 25 Atlantic Coast Conference games.

Sign of the times. If you're looking for a residence, Burt Reynolds Hall has a place for you.

The amazing power of alcohol.

Despite tough times, the Seminoles have left their mark on some fans.

OK, it's not the World Series of Poker, but this looks like some serious fun. Where is Wiz favorite Norman Chad?

This is interesting. The Seminoles appear to be taunting the Demon Deacons during warmups. Wake Forest, to its credit, continues to go about its business.

Florida State's starting quarterback in 2020?

Bowden's image is displayed on the Seminoles' scoreboard before kickoff.

Nightfall descends on Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium.