Bert Reed News

It's still December and the Florida State Seminoles have already put together one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida State coaching staff and players have tried to approach the pre-Gator Bowl practices with a business-as-normal attitude this week.

Among college coaches in any sport, few have achieved iconic status. Bobby Bowden certainly meets that criteria and he gets one last chance to add to his legacy.

Fisher, who replaces Bowden following the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl, said the transition - which began in 2007 when he agreed to the coach-in-waiting plan - has also helped current players and recruits, an area FSU has excelled in since the announcement of Bowden's retirement.

This was more an event than a football game, and the final score said so, though not as much as the pop, pop, pops that lit Florida Field.

Saturday night, in the aftermath of his sixth consecutive loss to the Florida Gators, Coach Bobby Bowden seemed like he was suddenly faced with an unpleasant reality.

And off we go ... 5:23 - FSU has it 2nd and 10 on the 22. Manuel keeps it for a short gain.

Florida State-Florida. Tim Tebow's senior day. Bobby Bowden's last visit to The Swamp.

As he sprinted toward the sideline on an end around, Florida State receiver Bert Reed did something he failed to do earlier in the game against Maryland: He faked out the first would-be tackler.

GAINESVILLE - It was perhaps one of the most amazing tackles, 45 yards down field, that a Florida State linebacker has made.

At the end of his post-blowout news conference on Saturday night in Gainesville, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden was asked if he wanted to continue leading the program he built into a national power.

Next game: FSU at Florida When, TV: 3:30, Saturday, CBS Florida State's game at Florida on Saturday will represent Tim Tebow 's senior day and, other than Tebow and his coaches, teammates and family, one of the more thankful people in attendance might be Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden .

Welcome to the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. I'm Sentinel correspondent Tim Linafelt here to bring you some thoughts and analysis as the game goes on.

For as much good work as offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has done since he arrived at Florida State three years ago – and it's been plenty – there is still one problem he hasn't been able to solve.

Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. GAINESVILLE After watching tape of Florida State's offense this week, Florida's defensive players are having a hard time understanding the Seminoles' record.

Dona TMt laugh. It can happen. Unranked Florida State can beat unmatched and unrivaled Florida on Saturday.

As disappointing as Florida State 's season has been - and it has been plenty so for a program that had aspirations of winning the Atlantic Coast Conference - the Seminoles can take solace that better days seem not too far off.

Two of Florida State's top performers this season almost wound up playing at Florida.

Florida State's offense has hummed along with EJ Manuel at quarterback, but the Seminoles will face their toughest defense to date on Saturday.

Maryland's Da'Rel Scott runs for 27 yards on the Terps' first play of the half, and all of a sudden Maryland is near midfield.