FSU-Alabama Game Carries Tremendous Importance to both 'Bama & FSU

Make no mistake, the FSU-Alabama game still carries tremendous importance to the two participants. It's chock full of interesting subplots, most notably the fact that Bowden, 77, an Alabama native and longtime admirer of the late Bear Bryant, has never faced his home state's flagship team. "It's [going to be] a bowl-type atmosphere," said Bowden. "It will be exciting for me."

Most of all, Saturday's game will be viewed as a measuring stick for two rebuilding programs.

The Crimson Tide's ballyhooed new $4 million head coach, Nick Saban, has already made his presence felt. A year after going just 2-6 in its conference, 'Bama has already knocked off one ranked SEC foe (Arkansas) while taking another (Georgia) to overtime last week. A victory over the 'Noles in a high-profile intersectional matchup would be yet another building block for Saban.

For the 'Noles, however, any tangible effects from the most radical staff overhaul of Bowden's career -- one in which he replaced his entire offensive staff and brought back deposed N.C. State head coach and longtime FSU assistant Chuck Amato as linebackers coach -- have yet to be seen on the field.

In other words, the statue has been damaged, but it's not unrepairable. Will we see the fruits of FSU's reconstruction effort begin to show this weekend -- or do we need to push back its estimated completion date?

Full Story @ SportsIllustrated.cnn.com