Despite another episode of "As Tallahassee Turns" this week, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson expects a focused, fired-up Florida State team for their 8 p.m. game on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Bobby's Bowden job status has been the main topic of airwaves, cyberspace and news print throughout Florida this week. The soap opera started two weeks ago when the Seminoles lost to South Florida. The discourse became more heated after the FSU lost to Boston College last Saturday. It reached a crescendo Sunday when trustee Jim Smith said it was time for Bowden to go. The next day Bowden's wife, Ann, said that her 79-year-old husband was being betrayed by those whom he helped make powerful with his efforts on the football field. Outgoing school president T.K. Wetherell issued a statement Wednesday morning that attempted to give the show a "tune in again next season" ending when he said Bowden will remain the school's coach through the end of the season, with no promises beyond that.
"I think they'll be circling the wagons," Johnson said. "They'll come out wired and ready to go."
ESPN analyst Bob Davie, who will work the game, said the key for both teams will be the first quarter. Should Tech score first, the pressure will only intensify on Bowden and the Seminoles. Should FSU score first, Davie said it'll give them confidence.
Either way, Davie said this can only be as bad for FSU, and good for Tech, as the Seminoles let it be.
"Bottom line is I don't think it's nearly an issue if things go according to plan [for FSU]," Davie said. "Only way it can be an issue is if Georgia Tech makes it an issue. If Georgia Tech gets ahead and makes it an issue."
But, in true soap-opera fashion, which FSU team will show up? The one that destroyed No. 7 BYU 54-28, or the one that couldn't get out of its own way in a 19-9 squeaker against Jacksonville State?
And, for that matter, which Georgia Tech defense will show up? The one that kept North Carolina to 154 yards, or the one that had the tables turned against Mississippi State for 487 yards?
Answering the Florida State question, Bowden said his team isn't that far from being 5-0. Critics will say that same distance separates them from being 1-4. Either way, Bowden said neither he nor his coaches have quit.
"There's one thing about this team, it hasn't been their effort," Bowden said. "What would scare you is if they've had bad effort. Our problem is making critical efforts at the wrong time. If we can get that part straightened out, we'd be a good team."
That is also part of the answer to Tech's problems in its win against Mississippi State last week. Defending the option, the one play Johnson said you would think his team would do well against, Jackets defenders either were caught looking in the backfield, or would forget their keys and bite on the fake. Similar issues happened against Miami, but against the pass.
After the Miami game,the defense simplified its schemes. The result was the shut down of the Tar Heels.
The Jackets have no margin for error. Johnson said he doesn't think they can lose another conference game and still hope to play for the ACC title. With Virginia Tech, currently the top team in the Coastal Division, coming to Bobby Dodd Stadium next weekend, Tech needs to beat the Seminoles. Doing so convincingly wouldn't hurt.
And, if Johnson and Davie are correct, the next chapter in the drama starts at 8 p.m. Saturday.
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