FSU, South Carolina on rise at Chick-fil-A Bowl

On the first day of this year, Florida State assistants Jimbo Fisher and Rick Trickett walked into Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the Gator Bowl trailing their legendary coach, Bobby Bowden.

Several of Bowden's former players lined up to greet him for his final game, a powerful scene that caused Trickett to tear up and also to absorb the changing of the guard about to occur.

Chewing on his cigar, Trickett turned to Fisher, Bowden's designated successor. Said Trickett, "I said, ‘Boy, I'm glad you're following him instead of me.'"

On the last day of 2010, Fisher's Seminoles team will play Friday night in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the biggest bowl FSU has played in since the 2006 Orange Bowl. On the other side of the field, South Carolina will represent the SEC as the East champion for the first time in school history.

The game will culminate satisfying seasons for both teams. But the 43rd Chick-fil-A Bowl, to be played before a national TV audience and a sold-out Georgia Dome, could also be a pivotal point for the Seminoles and Gamecocks to elevate themselves higher.

Said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, "I've said all along I think our strongest teams are still down the road."

Both teams will lose valuable chunks from their rosters. FSU seniors include three-year starting quarterback Christian Ponder, All-American guard Rodney Hudson and dynamic defensive end Markus White. The Gamecocks will lose the play and leadership of defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye, defensive end Cliff Matthews and tight end Patrick DiMarco.

"That's a lot of experience in the trenches, which is one of the most critical places," said South Carolina assistant head coach Ellis Johnson.

Still, a stock of young skill players gives South Carolina hope. All-American wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is a sophomore, as are All-SEC defensive end Devin Taylor and second-team All-SEC cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Running back Marcus Lattimore was the SEC freshman of the year. Of South Carolina's starting 22 Friday, 15 are expected back next fall to compete for what could be a wide-open SEC East.

"We do have better athletes at South Carolina now, we really do," Spurrier said.

Compared to recent seasons, Fisher might say likewise. Despite the messiness of the 2009 season that led to Bowden's forced retirement, Fisher's 2010 recruiting class was ranked 10th by website rivals.com, best in the ACC. His commitments for 2011 rank third, including Southwest DeKalb High linebacker Terrance Smith.

Fisher, 45, has put his imprint on the Seminoles, who with a win Friday will achieve a 10-win season for the first time since 2003. (South Carolina also seeks its 10th win.)

"I thought Jimbo did a fantastic job, especially stepping into the shoes that he was stepping into," said Trickett, Fisher's offensive line coach.

Fisher has renewed FSU from the inside out. He brought in five new coaches, as well as a new strength-and-conditioning coach and nutritionist. He broke down barriers within the team by doing things such as rearranging the locker room. Under Bowden, the offense had lockers on one side and the defense on the other.

"We're not cliquish or anything like that, as far as positions," said quarterback EJ Manuel, who is poised to succeed Ponder. "Everybody gets along really good."

With 16 starters expected to return, including nine freshmen or sophomores, the Seminoles bear the look of a team that could control the ACC's Atlantic Division for the foreseeable future.

"I think we're on our way," Fisher said. "I think we can work our way back towards the top."