All signs point to this season being the last for long time Florida St. Head Coach Bobby Bowden. Bowden has been synonimus with success since taking over the reins as coach back in 1976, but the program has slipped in the last ten years and this seasons 0-2 ACC record has Seminole fans jumping off the once crowded bandwagon.
Take this comment from the chairman of the Florida St. Board of Trustees Jim Smith. "My hope is frankly that we’ll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden Era,” said Smith, a 1962 FSU alum and a former Florida secretary of state and state attorney general. “… We are dependent on the goodwill and the financial resources of thousands of people to make this program work effectively. And we don’t have any goodwill out there right now. … People have had it.” If the above statement is true it looks like Jimbo Fisher will take command in 2010.
Still no word on whether Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will start or even play in this Saturdays huge matchup in Baton Rouge between the number one Gators and fourth ranked Tigers of L.S.U. If Tebow does not go, look for sophomore John Brantley to lead Florida making his first career start. Although he is no Tim Tebow, he does have a better arm than the former Heisman winner. It looks like this will be a game time decision, but knowing the heart of Tebow it would not shock me to see him behind center come 8:00 p.m. EST.
Did anyone notice Boise St. dropped a spot to number six in the rankings this week ? Unfortunately, the Broncos just don't have anyone left on the schedule to build a descent resume with. Their only hope is to have Oregon win out (which would make that opening day victory over the Ducks very impressive). If Boise St. finishes undefeated (and they will be favored in their remaining games) they should at least garner a BCS game. Remember, they pulled off the huge upset in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl over a favored Oklahoma team.
What in the world has happened to the California Golden Bears ? They have played the last two weeks like they are in hibernation ! Jahvid Best went from a Heisman front runner to not even the best back in the Pac-10. Shoddy quarterback play by Kevin Riley has cost the Bears dearly. Once defenses started loading up the box with eight players stuffing the running game, it was up to Riley to throw and soften up the line to better help Best get started. He has totally flopped and has been no threat whatsoever. Cal has a backup quarterback Beau Sweeney (who's father Kevin, starred at Fresno St. and played for the Dallas Cowboys and grandfather Jim Sweeney was a legendary coach of the Bulldogs) and I believe if Riley's struggles continue this week, will get a legitimate shot as the starter. The Pac-10 race is wide open but I still think the Trojans will stumble one or two more times. A non-conference matchup with Notre Dame in two weeks and a trip to Eugene, OR and the vastly improved Oregon Ducks loom.
Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus lost his starting point guard job at Duke his senior season and if he continues to perform like last Saturday (5 INT's) he won't be playing much more for the Orange this season. It was a nice story, out of football for four years and coming back home to Syracuse, where he starred as a prep football/basketball player at Brothers Christian High School but he is really not a starting quarterback in major college football. That being said, the Orange are so weak at that position he may be their only option.
Intriguing matchup this week between Alabama and Mississippi. The question is, which Mississippi team will show up ? So far, Jevan Snead has played very inconsistently throwing for almost as many interceptions (5) as touchdowns (7). If I had a vote in the BCS standings, I would vote Alabama number one. I think they have the nations best and most complete defense (run and pass) solid special teams and their offense will only improve as first year starter Greg McElroy gets more comfortable each and every week. The Tide may have lost some starters along the offensive line but Head Coach Nick Saban is a master at building excellent depth and talent in the trenches. Will the Rebels play like the team that upset Florida in the swamp last year OR the team that has shown very little this season ? All inclinations point to an easy Bama' victory but I'll re-visit this game in depth on Thursday night.
Interesting to see how Tate "The Great" Forcier (my compliments to Wayne the Wolverine) responds to his first adversity of the season. Although he played a very good second half (particularly the fourth quarter) he did force his pass in overtime resulting in a Michigan St. interception. I believe the kid has the makings of a star. He may never be an N.F.L. quarterback or first round pick, but he will be a very good college quarterback, capable of leading the once proud Wolverines back to the national spotlight.
Check back Thursday for my Week 6 Picks and Predictions !
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