Bowden likes FSU's chances in playoff era

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden can't help but wonder how many more national titles he might have won if the College Football Playoff had been around during his tenure.

Bowden led the Seminoles to national championships in 1993 and 1999, but his teams finished fifth or higher in the Associated Press rankings every year from 1987 to 2000.

After speaking at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast as part of the Liberty Bowl festivities Sunday, Bowden said: "We'd have had a chance."

He recalls "we used to play pretty good in November, too," adding that "people ask me about it a lot of times."

Bowden likes his former team's chances of upsetting Oregon in Thursday's semifinal. Oregon is a nine-point favorite over the Seminoles, who have won 29 consecutive games.