Bowden Bowl yields to jockeying in ACC

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — In the early days of the so-called Bowden Bowl, it was new and fun to see father and son on opposite sidelines.

But gradually, novelty gave way to cold-blooded reality. Seasons were on the line. Jobs were on the line.

And now, none of the principal parties seems disappointed that the yearly spectacle has reached the end of the line.

Clemson plays at No. 24 Florida State today, and Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden will no longer have to worry about the gut-churning feeling

of trying like heck to beat one of his son's brains in.

Now, it's just football. Just two teams battling to stay alive in the race to win their division.

And just a little relief for a tight-knit family that wasn't fond of this family feud.

"I didn't like it when he beat me," Bowden said. "And when I beat him, I feel for him. I am so happy; this is the first time in 10 years I don't have to worry about Tommy being on the other side looking at me — or me looking at him."

Bowden, of course, was referring to former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. He resigned Oct. 13 under extreme pressure after 9 1/2 years at the school.

Now daddy, who turns 79 today, will be trying to best 38-year-old Dabo Swinney. The former Clemson receivers coach took over as interim coach after Bowden's departure.

"I'd be lying to sit here and say this isn't an odd feeling," Swinney said. "I've got one career win, and I'm about to go face Bobby Bowden. It's an honor and a privilege for me. I've been a part of five Bowden Bowls. The Bowden family is unbelievable."

When Florida State and Clemson met in 1999 at Death Valley, it captured the nation's attention. In Tommy Bowden's first year with the Tigers, he and his father met for the first father vs. son matchup in college football history. The television cameras honed in on the family matriarch, Ann Bowden. She wore a custom sweater on that cold night that showcased her split allegiances: Clemson colors on one side, FSU's on the other.

The Seminoles escaped with a 17-14 win that night, giving Bowden his 300th career victory, and went on to win the BCS title game. And gradually, the meetings became more and more uncomfortable as the pressure on both coaches intensified.

Tommy Bowden lost his first four tries against his father and faced repeated questions about "closing the gap" with the high-powered Seminoles. He finally broke the hex in 2003 with a shocking 26-10 upset victory that might've saved his job.

Before long, Bobby Bowden began to face heat for his program's sharp decline — and for a stagnant offense led by another one of his sons, Jeff Bowden. His son ended up resigning in 2006 in a departure that left permanent scars.

It's no small irony that Tommy Bowden wore out his welcome at Clemson in the midst of pronounced success against his father. The Tigers (4-4, 2-3 ACC) have won three straight over the Seminoles (6-2, 3-2) and four of the last five.

Both teams are trying to stay alive in the Atlantic Division race. Clemson hasn't won the division in three years of ACC divisional play. FSU's only trip to the ACC title game was in 2005.

Tommy Bowden won't be present for today's 3:30 p.m. game at Doak Campbell Stadium. He and his wife are scheduled to visit his alma mater, West Virginia, and tailgate with friends before the Mountaineers play host to Cincinnati. Their two children, Ryan and Lauren, are slated to attend the game in Tallahassee.

Swinney said he doesn't think his former boss will find today particularly difficult.

"One thing about coach Bowden, he has great perspective and has been in football all his life," he said. "He's a hard guy to get down. He bounces back quick."

Ann Bowden told the Florida Times-Union earlier this week that she's looking forward to today being relatively stress-free.

"We're a close family, and we enjoy being together," she said. "We'll enjoy that, and I'll enjoy this weekend a lot better not having to line up against Tommy because that was a hard one."