Paterno and Bowden roll on

The Joe Paterno vs. Bobby Bowden race for the most all-time wins in college football reminds me of a popular T-shirt that made the rounds during the 1980s.

"The One Who Dies with the Most Toys Wins" was the shirt's printed message.

That's more or less how the Joe Pa-Saint Bobby derby seems likely to end. It's all but impossible to imagine one waving the white flag (meaning retirement) and leaving the other to march on toward the 400-win mark.

Nope, this marathon gradually has evolved into a until-death-do-us-part match. The irony is that neither has done a great deal of actual on-field coaching for years.

"I guess we've both pretty much turned into managers more than coaches," Bowden said before the season. "We make suggestions, and I think we're both still capable of putting our foot down when we have to. But you depend more and more on your assistants as you go along and get older."

Paterno is about three years older and seemingly in weaker health. In that respect, the odds may favor Bowden. But while Penn State is in national championship contention this season, Bowden and Florida State are again on the national-rankings fringe. The ACC has become a challenge for the Seminoles. Plus, the coach has a four-game losing streak in the series against Florida.

Bowden once said that each loss takes a little life out of him. That's worth keeping in mind.