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Countdown to Clemson: What Tommy expects from the Noles on Monday night

Highlights from Tommy Bowden's Tuesday press conference:

"My preference would be for them (Florida State defense) to rush four and defend with seven, and not get pressure with four. It wouldn't surprise me if their down linemen get pressure. So I think they're going to initially challenge their defense to get pressure with four. If they can get in his (Cullen Harper's) face and rattle him, then it will be a long night for us."

"I think they'll bring back into their offensive mix a run and run-action-pass scenario, which they haven't had the last few years. I think the biggest difference will be that. It's his first game and he's a bold guy. I've coached with him before (at Auburn) and I know his background. He has a lot of confidence. The offensive philosophy has totally changed from the past."

"I think the difficulty comes in finding ways to be productive against them (from an offensive point of view). I study their defense more than I do their offense. We didn't have a lot of running yards last year until James Davis broke that long run
at the end. So, it's not so much the formality of the game and family as much as it is execution versus their defense. Offensively, they're going to bring something different to the table."

"I do think he'll (QB Cullen Harper) have a very steady performance based on how he has performed in practice over the last year. He's been very consistent and very steady, but it will be a completely different scenario against Florida State. I don't think he'll get rattled. There's going to be some natural nervousness and anxiety as a first-time starter. To prepare for Florida State, he's been going against our defense. That's the closest we have to imitate Florida State's speed and quickness."

"I think it's going to be one of those games where noise will be a factor. I want to encourage our fans to make as much noise as possible when Florida State has the ball."

More insights into the mind of the mad scientist that is Clemson's offensive coordinator

Clemson's Rob Spence has been spending every waking moment of 2007 creating a monster of a game plan for Labor Day evening. However the tight-lipped Spence will only hint at what's in store for the Noles. Like maybe attacking with two quarterbacks? He seems to dispel that in this recent radio interview. Or is it just some sneaky mis-information meant to keep heads spinning as FSU prepares for a trip to Tiger town?

On Cullen Harper solidifying his position as the number one QB.

You're absolutely correct on that. We have strong competition there, but Cullen Harper has done a phenomenal job. He's put in countless hours of film study, an incredible amount of time in the weight room, has a very, very good arm, and a very capable understanding of what's going on over on the defensive side of the ball. 

On playing two QBs.

I'm not a two QB guy. I feel there's significant separation that's developed between the two players (Harper and Willie Korn). The position of QB here is so challenging, so difficult because of the expectation level of the 84,000 people who come to watch you play. 

Looking back at last year, what do you think needs to be changed?

People keep trying to talk about last year. I don't want anything to do with last year. I want everything to do with what lies ahead.

With the first game being Florida State, does that help the players focus?

Whether it has to do with Florida State, I don't know. But there's a lot of focus right now, and there's an awful lot of intensity right here.

And from a story in The State comes word of new trickeration by Spence. Like using tailback C.J. Spiller as a slot receiver (Reggie Bush-style), while running receiver Rendrick Taylor out of the backfield in some sets. You'll also read about how the obsessive Spence spent the off-season picking the brains of top offensive minds, both college and pro.

Tiger QB Harper says about Spence: “He has a system and teaches it very well and wants you to do exactly that. He’s always been detail-oriented and intense."

Let's see, who does that sound like? Oh, yeah. Like Spurrier but without the abrasive personality traits.

P.T. Willis talks about FSU's down years, Quarterbacks of today, and a re-born Bowden

P.T. wasn't afraid to answer the hard questions Thursday on Atlanta sports-talk radio. Appearing on 680 the Fan's "Buck and Kincade" show, Willis kept it real.

On Jimbo Fisher's choice of Drew Weatherford to start at QB against Clemson:
"Jimbo says Xavier might play in the red zone."

On the QBs of today versus his era:
"Quarterbacks today are talented, but not as mentally tough as they used to be. Guys just can't go out there afraid to make a mistake."

On FSU's 2006 season:
"I saw things out of our program I never thought I'd see -- and it wasn't on the defense." (He went on to say the team appeared to quit in some games last year.)

On the team's offensive changes:
"We weren't able to pick up the tough yards. Which is why the running game was the top priority during the spring and pre-season -- including a play action passing game to go along with it."

On the Clemson game:
"Special teams and the kicking game will win it."

On what Bobby Bowden went through:
"The last six years have been very difficult for him. He was under a lot of pressure with his son as offensive coordinator. This year, I think Bobby Bowden will get his personality back."

On when Bowden will retire:
"He'll probably coach two or three more years. And I hope we can get the program back to where it was during that time."

Tommy's Trickery: Spiller and James in the same backfield against FSU

A guest on ESPN's "College Football Live" Wednesday, Clemson's C.J. Spiller spilled the beans about some of what the Tigers might spring on the Noles come September 3.

Asked if it was true he would lineup in the same backfield with James Davis, Spiller said "we've been working on it in camp and it's going great." Later it was reported that Spiller has also practiced being under center at QB as well as taking direct snaps at tailback (are you getting this, Mickey?).

On the same show, Mark May had both a positive and negative comment about the 2007 Noles. May predicted that Clemson would lose as many as six games this year, including to FSU. But he later called USF "probably the second best team in the state of Florida."

Sounds like a lotta bull to us.

Bowden on ESPN: "If we could not win a national championship with me, I think I'd go ahead and get out"

Bobby Bowden went live Wednesday with Rece Davis on ESPN's new daily college football show. The winningest coach in college football talked about his new staff and renewed focus on a national championship.

"It's as simple as this: I'd rather coach than retire. This will be my 55th year of college coaching. I feel just as excited this year as when I started.

"I feel that if we could not win a national championship with me, I think I'd go ahead and get on out. But I still think we can do it and I want to prove it. Of course, a lot of dead coaches said that, didn't they?"

On his staff changes:

"I think we've got the best you can get. You know, this is my last shot. I'm not talking about retiring next year, but I think this staff here -- I think we can get it done."

On which new coach's impact would be most evident on the field?

"Could be Trickett. He's been very successful wherever he's been. I think we've got enough skill that can get the job done if we can get the job done up front. He's gonna play a lotta young guys, you know. You gotta do it his way. That means a lot of young guys will end up breaking in there. That means it'll take a little bit longer, but it'll get done."

Later, Davis was joined by ESPN analysts Lou Holtz and Mark May, who both gave their take on the new-look Noles.

Holtz: "I think bringing in Coach Trickett from West Virginia will make all the difference in the world. And don't underestimate the impact that Coach Dawsey will have with the wide receivers. I think this staff will make a tremendous change, positively for Coach Bowden." 

Mark May: "Rick Trickett is obviously a huge upgrade for this offensive line. But let's look at Jimbo Fisher who's coming in to run the offense. I think that's gonna be instrumental in Florida State throwing the ball vertically down the field. We're finally gonna see these quarterbacks at Florida State -- Xavier Lee, Drew Weatherford -- have a swagger. They haven't had that swagger where they've had that confidence in this offense. And I think a lot of it's gonna be due first and foremost to the running game, the protection of the offensive line, and having the receivers step up and make plays. And plus, you now have an offensive coordinator that coached the first pick in the NFL draft in Jamarcus Russell."