FSU's History, Bowden's Future Rest on Shoulders of a Freshman

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State fans are speculating that Bobby Bowden's coaching future at FSU might be tied into the Seminoles' bowl eligibility. This much is known for certain: Bowden's status will be determined at season's end. And FSU's bowl chances will become much clearer on Saturday.

The Seminoles' hopes of a strong finish now rest on the shoulders of redshirt freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel. Manuel will make his first career start at Wake Forest following the season-ending shoulder injury to Christian Ponder.

What's at stake?

FSU (4-5) must win two of its final three games to extend its nation-leading streak of 27 consecutive bowl appearances and avoid its first losing season since 1976 -- Bowden's first in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Demon Deacons (4-6), meanwhile, must win their final two games to extend their school-record streak of three consecutive bowl appearances, all under ninth-year coach Jim Grobe.

All eyes will be on the quarterbacks.

Manuel has attempted four career passes. Wake Forest senior quarterback Riley Skinner has passed for 9,163 career yards.

Advantage Deacs, who also have beaten the Seminoles the past three years.

"It'll affect them like it would us if we didn't have Riley Skinner," Grobe said in reference to the Seminoles missing Ponder, who separated his right throwing shoulder on a tackle following an interception against Clemson last Saturday.

"I'm sure the young player is very capable. You very rarely have a backup quarterback that can't get the job done. In our case Ryan McManus is very capable. But anytime you lose a guy with all that experience, especially one of the top quarterbacks in the league, it hurts."

" I feel like our practices are harder than our games to be honest. "
-- FSU QB E.J. ManuelManuel, an athletic, record-setting quarterback from Virginia Beach, Va., believes his practice preparation will help in his transition from backup to starter. Manuel, in fact, split snaps with the first-team offense last week as Ponder was slowed by bruised ribs.

"I feel like our practices are harder than our games to be honest," Manuel said.

"We have so much pressure on us from the coaches in practice that when the game comes the pressure isn't anything, all the loud stuff and the crowd really don't matter."

Jimbo Fisher, FSU's offensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting, indicated the Seminoles' game plan will be altered to fit Manuel's strengths.

Manuel, who concentrated on his throwing mechanics during the off-season after he missed spring drills with a thumb injury, has a strong arm and appears to glide when on the run. Fisher says an important component will be how Manuel handles the anxiety surrounding his first start.

Not a problem, according to Manuel. Ponder, who will be facing shoulder surgery soon, will also make the trip with the Seminoles to support Manuel.

"I'm sure coach Fisher is going to put us all in positions we need to be in, in order to be successful and we'll be fine," Manuel said. "The coaches are going to put us in position to be successful, I'm not worried at all."

Grobe expects Manuel, who has played 11 career snaps and is 1-of-4 with four passing yards, to play well.

"This is a really talented guy, we know that he's got great skills, the ability to run and throw," Grobe said. "He was personally recruited by Jimbo Fisher. I'm sure all the things they're doing with Christian Ponder, they feel like they can do with Manual."

Concerning the iconic yet embattled Bowden, Grobe believes Bowden has earned the right to dictate his future.

"You really have to take in all that he's done for that school," Grobe said.

"You really need to be in a mindset that whatever Coach Bowden wants to do you're going to let him do. I think he's earned that right and he's done great things for the school. Anytime you get these legendary coaches that are toward the end of their career, it's important as a school you let them go out the way they want to go out and when they want to go out.

"He's been great and still is great for college football. If you spend anytime with Coach Bowden you know he's got a competitive spirit and he's still a heck of a football coach."