LarryD, who is this guy?

I can't believe this writer would take a stab at Bowden winning games in the ACC (and pre-FSU). 338 college victories is something, regardless of the division or the competition, especially when he brought FSU from a zero football program.

For FSU, title in the ACC may be its last
By Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel
Published October 19, 2003

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Florida State Seminoles all but clinched yet another Atlantic Coast Conference championship Saturday night.

And it's a good thing.

It might just be their last for a while.

Yeah, Virginia made it close. Yeah, Virginia made it exciting. Yeah, Virginia could have easily won Saturday night. But guess what? The Cavaliers didn't. FSU won this ACC game 19-14. FSU always wins ACC games.

A hearty congratulations to Bobby Bowden for tying Joe Paterno as the winningest coach in Division I-A history. To win 338 games is certainly a phenomenal feat, but Bowden's record should come with an asterisk.

*Coached in the ACC.

Wait till next year, Bobby. The Hurricanes are blowing ashore on the Atlantic Coast. And so is Virginia Tech. And, finally, these ACC titles will have some meaning, and Florida State will understand what it means to be in a real conference with real competition.

And thank goodness for that. Has there been anything more mundane than watching Florida State sleepwalk to the ACC championship every year?

The Seminoles weren't overly impressive Saturday. Quarterback Chris Rix completed just 12 of 25 passes -- and it wasn't even raining. Kicker Xavier Beita missed what could have been a crucial kick. Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub threw for 326 yards.

But the Seminoles won. Again. Just as they have 88 times since joining the ACC.

They've lost five.

"We just have to win," Bowden said, "and not worry about how pretty it is."

This ugly victory over Virginia all but assured Florida State of yet another ACC title -- their 11th in 12 years. Can you say b-o-o-o-o-ring? Watching Florida State's annual march through the ACC has been about as exciting as watching the World Series of Canasta. Give me a PBS Special -- America: The Millard Fillmore Years -- over FSU's ACC schedule any day.

But those days are over. Next year, when Miami and Virginia Tech join the league, an argument could be made that the Seminoles will go from being the unquestioned head honcho of the ACC to being the league vice president or even secretary-treasurer.

In the past, the Seminoles have proven they can win the league title without even breaking a sweat. Last year, they lost five games and suffered through the toughest, most tumultuous season in more than a decade -- and they still won the ACC championship and the automatic bid to the Sugar Bowl.

After this season, there will be as many Gator Bowls in FSU's future as Sugar Bowls. A BCS bowl is no longer a given. Yes, there will be more money in FSU's coffers, but there also will be more competition.

And more fun. And more excitement. Who knows, FSU's players might actually keep their ACC championship rings instead of selling them on eBay.

How many times have we heard in recent years that the rest of the ACC is oh-so-close to closing the gap on the Seminoles? Eight years ago, I sat in this same press box at Scott Field and watched Virginia hand FSU its first ACC loss. The goalposts came down. And hope sprung up.

FSU has since beaten down that hope. Again and again and again. Here we are with the season barely half over and the Seminoles have all but clinched yet another conference crown.

In every other conference, teams are jockeying for championship position. In the ACC, teams are jockeying for their normal spot at the foot of FSU's throne.

Relish this ACC title, Florida State.

The 'Canes are coming.

 

bianchi is a big gator fan.

the orlando sentinel thinks that bringing down florida state/bowden will win them a pulitzer. no lie.

 

If I recall FSU easily beat down Virginia Tech with the socalled greatest NFL player Michael Vick on their side for the national championship. It's not our fault this is basketball country.

 

Three of those five were to the Pack
This year? Not. I wish tho.

 

They guy does have a point. The ACC has offered little opposition to FSU....5 losses in 12 years. It's kind of embarrasing when you think about it. But it isnt THEIR fault that ACC football cant wrest more conference titles from them. Until the ACC as a whole gets better, we're gonna have to listen to this kind of stuff from the chest beaters.