The Longest Yard
Posted November 27, 2005, 8:45 AM ET

It is tough being a fan of Florida State football these days. Even Burt Reynolds is shaking his head.

The once-proud FSU football team is getting pounded like Duke every weekend....and that's saying something. Florida State finds itself on a three-game losing streak and staring the Virginia Tech Hokies and a fourth straight loss right in the face. The past two games, FSU has been destroyed by Clemson and Florida by a combined score of 69-21. In those two games, the FSU offense has scored one touchdown. Even Blue Devils fans chuckle at that stat....and when Duke football fans feel sorry for you, that's pathetic.

The last time the 'Noles lost three straight games on football weekends was 1983. Under the legendary Bobby Bowden, the 'Noles have never lost four in a row. At this pace, that is going to change this upcoming weekend in the ACC's first championship title game.

The last time FSU lost four games in a row was 1975...and they were coached by some guy named Darrell Mudra. The only thing legendary about Mudra is that he coached from the press box, not the sidelines.

I'm a huge fan of Bobby Bowden. I've always enjoyed our interviews with him on the show, and his folksy style plays well with me, recruits, mommy and daddy, and anybody that has met the man. The only people that dislike Bowden are the ones that have played and lost to him on a consistent basis.

Watching Papa Bowden struggle down the stretch has been eerily similar to the distress that has existed in Happy Valley for the past few years. Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden have been great for the game of college football, and to see them both squirm on the sidelines is uncomfortable. Of course, Joe Pa has had a breakout year with his Nittany Lions, and he should be named the 2005 National Coach of the Year.

The same cannot be said for Bobby Bowden in 2005. Despite the fact that his 'Noles will be playing for a BCS bid and ACC championship this weekend in Jacksonville, you get the sense that the game against the Hokies could get ugly. And after watching Clemson and Florida blow the 'Noles out the past couple of weeks, this title game might get U-G-L-Y.

Bobby Bowden has earned the right to call it quits on his own terms. He is Saint Bobby for crying out loud. But the same whispers that were heard behind Paterno's back the past few years in Pennsylvania are now being heard about Bowden in the Florida panhandle.

Personally, I'd love to see another great run by Bowden before he kicks back and watches the grandkids play. But at this pace, it is becoming harder to believe that Saint Bobby can turn it around. But who knows, even Burt Reynolds had a rebirth with his acting career.

Coach Bowden, I hope you don't mind if I turn the channel on Saturday night if Frank Beamer's Hokies take you to the woodshed. Just like Duke football, I can't stand to watch another big-time beating.