January 1st 2010, 1:00 ET CBS

Jacksonville Florida

This year's Gator Bowl features Bobby Bowden ending his storied career against the team where he made his start.

[ "We Are Marshall" was historically accurate when they depicted Bobby Bowden as a West Virginia assistant that gave Marshall access to their film room to help them recover from the tragedy that has since erased the memories of their suspension from the NCAA and MAC due to numerous scandals that lead to the firing of the football and basketball coaches in 1969. ]

The Florida St. Seminoles are 5-0-1 in the Gator Bowl while West Virginia Mountaineers are 1-5. The most recent appearance by either team was West Virginia's 2007 win over Georgia Tech. Florida St. leads the all time series 2-0, in the 1982 and January 2001 Gator Bowls.

Will Bobby Bowden go off to the sunset with a win?

General

With the differences in schedule and a quality win over BYU one could justify narrowing the three game gap in the records. I appraise this as about two wins, leaving FSU a game short.

West Virginia's Ball

Florida gives up more on defense than West Virginia is used to gaining on offense. I expect this game to be a fast paced game leaning to the FSU side of the stat sheet, though maybe with more rushing and less passing.

Florida St.'s Ball

ACC defenses have been suspect ll season, padding FSU's stats here a bit. I wil lean towards West Virginia's column here.

Prediction

It is a little sad that Bowden's career could end with a whimper instead of a bang.

West Virginia 30 FSU 21