NEW ORLEANS — The Sugar Bowl theory carrying the most momentum is that the final score will confirm the deterioration of Florida State's place as a perennial national power, which dates to the moment offensive coordinator Mark Richt decided to become Georgia's coach.
Consecutive four-loss seasons and a slew of off-the-field transgressions have left Bobby Bowden, the Seminoles' 27-year coach, to deal with damage control for a month as he's prepared his team for tonight's meeting in the Superdome with Richt's favored Georgia squad.
First, Florida State removed quarterback Adrian McPherson from the team for his role in a check writing scam. Then, quarterback Chris Rix and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett were suspended for the Sugar Bowl. Rix overslept and missed a final exam. Dockett was disciplined for his involvement in an incident at an apparel store. And, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating possible gambling by McPherson.
"We know there are people looking at Florida State and saying, 'Where's the discipline? Where are the coaches?' " Seminole running back Nick Maddox said. "Those people tend to forget about or ignore the strong relationship Coach Bowden and his coaches have built with the players. Coach Bowden believes in what he coaches, and his philosophy is, 'Tough times don't last, tough people do.' "
Said Bowden, "Anyone who thinks they can get through life without adversity -- they've got another thing coming. We're not a Lone Ranger in this. We're not the first team to lose four games."
So Bowden, 73, heard questions Tuesday about clouds hovering over a program that won national championships in 1993 and '99, had a 14-year run of top-five finishes and a 17-5-1 record in bowl games during his era.
Meanwhile, Richt, 42, wore a steady, confident grin as he addressed questions about what a victory tonight would bring. He has quickly defined himself at Georgia as a tough, calm disciplinarian, and is 20-5 in two seasons with a chance to have this season's Bulldogs (12-1) cap their first Southeastern Conference championship in 20 years with a No. 2 national ranking.
Richt recently was awarded an eight-year contract extension that will pay him $1.5 million annually through the 2010 season, with a $3-million buyout clause.
"There's not a better school for me or my family," he said.
