By Ed McGranahan.
Tommy Bowden might have preferred to coach against Florida State when the game was more about the teams than the personalities.
“I wish I could have been a part of that,” Bowden admitted during a telephone conversation this week. “That’s one thing missing. I wish I
could have won an ACC Championship, and been there when the South Carolina game – when both Clemson and South Carolina were nationally ranked.
“I upset Florida State when they were nationally ranked, but it’s not like when you’re both nationally ranked and the hype and media attention
you get for one week.”
Helping accelerate the rivalry with Florida State by beating his father in the so-called Bowden Bowls during nearly 10 seasons as Clemson coach
(1999-2008) earned him a lucrative contract and a wealth of bragging rights during family gatherings.
This, he said, would be more fun.
“Oh, man, it’s what you get into coaching for. It’s great fun,” he said. “It’s not like the games I played against South Carolina weren’t fun.
It’s always fun when you’re winning.
“Beating them when they’re nationally ranked and you’re nationally ranked would have been better,” he said. “I lasted 10 years without
winning a championship but by beating South Carolina and Florida State … then losing to Wake or Maryland, costing me the championship.”
Swinney, he said, has largely done the opposite.
“You can last a while beating Georgia, Ohio State and winning a big bowl game and losing to those two (FSU and Carolina). You can do it for a
little while,” he said. “That’ll keep you there for 10 years, and that’s a long time in this profession.
“I’d beat South Carolina and lose a bowl game.”
After covering Bowden virtually his entire stint at Clemson, one becomes accustom to his verbal shorthand.
Initially he picked Florida State in a close game. That was before learning of quarterback Jameis Winston’s suspension for the first half.
“Obviously he’s made some poor decisions off the field, but on the field he’s a leader,” Bowden said. “He’s done some dumb things off the field,
but on the field and in the locker room, he doesn’t waver. He’s confident, he’s poised.
“When those boys get in between the lines, he has command of the team – not just the offense, the team.”
His scouting report on Saturday’s game in Tallahassee hit the high points in less than 60 seconds.
“When you look at the first opponent … neither defense was playing up to standard,” Bowden said. “So right now there’s a little question about
the quality of both teams’ defenses.
“Both teams’ running games are below standard, so you throw them out,” he said. “Right now Florida State is ahead at quarterback. Kicking game, Florida State has the best field goal kicker in the country.
“I’m taking turnovers out of the equation, so I’m just looking at substantial stuff that’s happened. I think the favor goes to Florida
State. I think it will be a close game because I think both teams will move the ball. I think both defenses are suspect a little bit.”
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said this week he was most disturbed during last season’s game with how the team failed to respond after falling
behind early.
Bowden fully agreed.
“If you have three turnovers and don’t respond well you’ll lose big,” Bowden said, “and that’s what happened.
“It could be the same way this time if Florida State has a lot of turnovers, doesn’t respond well and Clemson’s playing pretty good. The
same thing could happen.”
Where he might quibble is with the contention that Clemson’s defensive front has generally played well back through last season. In those
marquee games – Florida State, South Carolina, Ohio State and Georgia – Clemson has allowed an average 40 points and 442 yards.
In a text message Thursday morning, though he didn’t backtrack on the outcome Bowden said Florida State’s change of quarterback in the first
half would probably result in more defensive pressure on quarterback Sean Maguire, the backup by default this season following a couple
transfers.
“FSU will try to hold off Clemson with a fourth-team quarterback.”