Bobby Bowden isn't missing any sleep over the one major accomplishment missing in his career.
His record is 205-74-3, eighth on the all-time victory list. His bowl record is 10-3-1. But the veteran Florida State coach keeps hearing the same question from his critics: "Where is that national championship?"Bowden, 61, will take it if it comes along, but he doesn't feel his career will be unfulfilled without a national title.
"I'm not obsessed with it. I'd like to win a national title, but I might never win one. I might never be associated with it, but I'm going to do my best."
The critics aren't usually found around Tallahassee, where Bowden has earned legendary status during 15 seasons with the Seminoles. Unlike most coaches given that label, however, there is nothing pretentious or contrived about Bowden.
Fans who meet Bowden - with his engaging smile, lip full of tobacco and sense of humor seasoned by somewhat less-than-flawless grammar - find him as down to earth as a next-door neighbor.
But lingering is the dream of a national championship, which the Seminoles so often have come so close to attaining. Florida State is No. 1 in the preseason polls. That sets in motion a personal dream.
"One of my goals, and I'll probably never make it, is to be picked No. 1 in the preseason and be there every week and win it," he said. "I'd love that."
On the flip side, Bowden knows the preseason No. 1 ranking can be a curse.
"It puts the monkey on your back. Everybody's after you. Everybody wants to beat No. 1. It's a lot easier if they don't pick you. They've got to pick somebody though."
In past years, the Seminoles have been the victim of early upsets. Bowden hopes his team will quickly toughen up. FSU meets Brigham Young Aug. 29 in the Pigskin Classic. Last year, BYU upset top-ranked Miami in the season opener.
Much of the Seminoles' key personnel from last year's 10-2 team is back, including quarterback Casey Weldon, tailback Amp Lee and fullback Edgar Bennett. The defense is anchored by inside linebacker Kirk Carruthers and cornerback Terrell Buckley.
"We ain't going in unarmed," Bowden said.
National championship or not, one thing not on Bowden's agenda is retirement. Even if he won, he said, "My next goal would be to get two of them."
Bowden is looking forward to a new era at FSU. The school will begin play in the Atlantic Coast Conference next fall.
"Their basketball will help us, and our football will help them,' " Bowden said of the ACC.
"It (the ACC) has a great academic reputation, and it don't hurt to hang around with them kind of people. I ain't that educated, but I still like to hang around with them."
After 25 years of coaching, Bowden has learned to manage the pressures of running a big-time football program, which has burned out many of his peers.
"Life is bigger than football," he said. "Football is a great profession, and I love it. I'm going to try to win every game, but I'm not going to cut my wrist over a loss.
"I've got life in perspective."
*****
(Additional information)
GRAPHIC\
College Football '91 - Winningest Active Coaches
(by percentage)
Coach, current team (years) Won Lost Tied Pct.
Tom Osborne, Nebraska (18) 177 41 2 .809
Joe Paterno, Penn St. (25) 229 60 3 .789
LaVell Edwards, BYU (19) 175 59 1 .747
Pat Dye, Auburn (17) 143 51 4 .732
Bobby Bowden, FSU (25) 205 74 3 .732
Jackie Sherrill*, Miss St. (13) 105 45 2 .697
Dick Sheridan, N.C. St. (13) 103 46 4 .686
Terry Donahue, UCLA (15) 116 51 8 .686
Herb Deromedi, Central Mich (13) 94 42 6 .683
Dennis Erikson, Miami (9) 71 34 1 .675
*New head coach Source: Official 1991 NCAA Football