Bowden’s support beginning to crumble

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season.

Jim Smith said yesterday the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his designated successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working.

"We've got too many bosses out there," Smith said.

The Seminoles (0-2 ACC, 2-3) are off to their worst start since Bowden's first year at Florida State in 1976.

Bowden said Sunday he has no plans of quitting anytime soon. His 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches.

Rodriguez seeks change of venue

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The federal lawsuit filed against Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez in South Carolina over a defunct real estate deal should be tossed out and refiled elsewhere, the coach argued in federal court documents filed yesterday.

The multimillion-dollar lawsuit should be argued in federal court in Virginia, where the property in question is located, an attorney for Rodriguez said in a motion requesting that the South Carolina case be dismissed.

In September 2007, when Rodriguez was still coaching at West Virginia, a Spartanburg, S.C.-based bank loaned the coach and his partner more than $26 million to build condominiums overlooking Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium. But as the project struggled, that amount was later amended to about $3.63 million, the cost of only the land itself.

Earlier this year, an Alabama bank with an interest in the loan sued Rodriguez in South Carolina, saying the coach owes $3.9 million -- the land cost, plus interest and fees -- for defaulting on the loan.

Tebow's status still uncertain

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is reading, watching television, attending class, studying tape and doing everything else he was doing before his concussion.

Except practicing.

Florida coach Urban Meyer says his star player has not been cleared to practice or play against fourth-ranked LSU on Saturday night. But Meyer added that the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner seems fit and alert.

Meyer said Tebow, who skipped every practice last week, has been without headaches and other symptoms for several days. Could Tebow play if he receives clearance late in the week?

"I can't answer that," Meyer said.

Wolfpack likely to shuffle defense

RALEIGH, N.C. -- N.C. State is shaking up its defense after last week's unsettling loss at Wake Forest.

Coach Tom O'Brien said that redshirt freshman Terrell Manning will likely start at linebacker against Duke this week. In addition, O'Brien indicated the secondary that gave up 361 yards passing to Riley Skinner could have four new starters against the Blue Devils.