Top 10 of the Last 10:Age IS Just a Number

Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno...1 and 2, the 2 winningest coaches of all-time in College Football. A combined 111 years of coaching between the two and 4 National Championships. From 1966-1994, Joe Paterno led Penn State to 5 unbeaten seasons and 27/28 of those seasons, Bowden came to Florida State in 1975 after being dismissed from West Virginia, in six years FSU was contending for the National Championship after almost being dropped. The result was the 1981 Orange Bowl between Florida State and Oklahoma. FSU lead early and following a blocked punt led 17-10 in the 4th Quarter, before OU began driving. A touchdown and a 2 point conversion gave the Sooners a 18-17 victory and the Georgia Bulldogs the National Championship(another story).

The loss to OU was a setback for Bowden who, at that point, had changed the attitude at FSU. However, it was only minor. In the next 10 years, Florida State continued to build and in 1991, achieved a No.1 ranking in the AP Poll(their highest was 2 in 81). However, a cruel twist of fate struck the Noles as they fell to 2 Miami at home when a last second field goal went Wide Right. In 1993, FSU got another chance as they hit No.1 in October and sailed into a November showdown with Notre Dame in South Bend. Dubbed the Game of the Century, Notre Dame beat Charlie Ward and the Seminoles 31-24 seemingly knocking FSU out of the National Championship.

Another upset would occur, however, a week later, as now #1 Notre Dame fell to Boston College and the Noles knocked off Florida. The result would be Bobby Bowden's first shot in 13 years for the National Championship. In a back and forth low scoring battle in the Orange Bowl(mainly a field goal duel), the Noles knocked off 1 Nebraska 18-16 after the Huskers kick sailed Wide Right(which was ironic because Field Goals always prevented Bowden from reaching the pinnacle of College Football). After 19 years of waiting, Bowden was a National Champion at Florida State and for the rest of the decade the Noles were a force.

It wouldn't be until 1996 that the Noles had another shot at winning the Championship as they knocked off No.1 Florida 24-21 in Tallahassee. But their dream would turn into a nightmare as Florida was granted a rematch in New Orleans against the Noles and this time, it wasn't close as Florida blew out FSU, 52-20. 2 years later Florida State was back in contention facing Tee Martin and the Tennessee Vols in the Fiesta Bowl. Throughout the game Tennessee's defense shut down the high powered Florida State offense. FSU pulled within 7 with a minute to go but it was too late as Tennessee won their first National Championship in 60 years with a 23-16 victory.

Some figured the lost would set back Florida State but once again they were back as they went 11-0 entering the 2000 Sugar Bowl against Michael Vick and Virginia Tech. Frank Beamer, like Bowden had built Va.Tech from the ground. The game, however, seemed to be a blowout early as FSU led Va. Tech 28-7 in the 2nd Quarter. It seemed to be over but Vick and the Hokies rallied to take a 29-28 lead going into the 4th. But there was no stopping FSU and Bowden as the Noles scored 18 unanswered to win 46-29.

FSU came into the 2000 season as heavy favorites to do it again but it appeared to be over quickly as the Noles lost to Miami. However, the Canes struggled themselves, losing to Washington on the road. At the end of the year the BCS selected FSU over 1-loss Miami and Washington. However, the 01 Orange Bowl was a trip for FSU as OU's defense harassed Chris Weinke all night en route to a 13-2 victory. The loss, itself proved to be the end of FSU's dominance of College Football.

Going into 2001, FSU were favorites again but losses to NC State and Clemson proved costly as FSU, for the first time ever, was not rewarded with the ACC Championship as Maryland(7-1) took it. Things got worse for the Noles. In 2002 they won it back, but suffered 4 losses en route to a 26-13 Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia. In 2003, Florida State seemed to be the same FSU juggernaut of the 90's only to lose to Miami in the Orange Bowl and a 3 loss season. In 2004, in a brand new ACC, FSU loss twice and as a result, Virginia Tech was rewarded with the ACC Championship. Going into the 2005 Season many wondered if the Noles could contend in the ACC.

Meanwhile at Penn State, Joe Paterno was suffering similar criticisms. Following a 6-4 loss to Iowa at home, many were calling for Joe Pa's dismissal citing that the game had past him. With high hopes but low expectations it seemed as if PSU would dwindle again in the Big Ten. However, PSU jumped out to a surprise 5-0 start before losing to Michigan off a last second Touchdown, but through the autumn they lost not finishing 10-1 heading to the Orange Bowl as the No.3 team in the country(their highest ranking in over a decade).

At Florida State things started off hot as the Noles beat Miami for the first time in 6 years with a 10-7 win at home. Going into November, FSU was 7-1 and looking to contend for the National Championship. However, 3 consecutive losses(NC State, Clemson, and Florida) knocked the Noles out of contention. However, Florida State was given a birth to the ACC Championship game against a 1-loss Va.Tech team. Most people had Va. Tech as a heavy favorite citing that the Noles didn't even belong on the same field. But FSU surprised its critics by taking a 27-3 lead but Va. Tech and Marcus Vick rallied only to fall short to the Noles 27-22 and just like that FSU was back in the Orange Bowl.

So the stage was set for Penn State/Florida State, the battle between 2 of the best teams of the last 40 years and the battle between 79 year old Joe Paterno, the 2nd Winningest Coach of All-Time and 76 year old Bobby Bowden, the Winningest Coach of All-Time. Going into the game, Paterno had been 7-1 vs Bowden(All 7 wins against Bowden's WVU squads and a 1990 loss in the Carquest Bowl). Despite being 10-1, Penn State were underdogs as many said that FSU had the better squad and literal Home Field advantage. Penn State jumped up early and led 14-13 at halftime.

Despite some first half fireworks, the 2nd was a defensive struggle as PSU scored their only points off a Drew Weatherford safety and a FSU Field Goal tied the game at 16 sending it into overtime. Both kickers missed in the 1st Overtime, but the offense responded in the 2nd with each team scoring 7 to make it 23 all. FSU had a 3 and out to start the 3rd overtime and attempted another field goal...only to have it be wide to the left, the 4th missed kick of the night(2 by each). Michael Robinson and PSU drove to the 10 and decided to kick the ball. Third time proved to be a charm for kicker Kevin Kelly as his kick sailed through the uprights to give Penn State a 26-23 victory.

After the game, Paterno and Bowden shook hands and did the post game interview together. Currently Bowden leads Paterno by 2 but the gap is closing as Paterno is now 81 and Bowden, 78. Despite their old ages, both coaches continue to win games and don't tell these two about time, because they would probably say "age doesn't matter" and on this night they proved it. As a bonus I present highlights of this classic encounter between No.1 and No.2.