"And down the stretch they come..."

Looking to the 2008 season we wonder: Can LSU repeat? Who has a chance to beat Southern Cal? Will Michigan’s seniors ring the bell? Can Oklahoma run the table after losing key defensive starters? Can Georgia Tech's new option attack make an impact in the ACC?  What Cinderella team will make a run?

And while we ponder these weighty questions, and many more, a drama unfolds - the likes of which we will never see again in our lifetime.

The two winningest coaches in the history of major college football are neck-in-neck in a marathon – a career-defining test of will and endurance – and a place at the top of the mountain awaits the winner.

At this date, Florida State’s Bobby “Foghorn Leghorn” Bowden is the all-time Division 1-A leader in career victories with 373. Penn State’s Joe Paterno, "JoePa,"  is breathing down his neck - just one game back at 372.  No other active coach is in the hunt. Frank Beamer is closest with 208 career wins.

When Penn State came from 18 points down to beat Ohio State 29-27 on that autumn afternoon, October 27, 2001, the celebration began. It was Paterno’s 324th career win, eclipsing Bear Bryant’s record of 323.  “The Lion passes the Bear,” the headline screamed the next morning. 

The huge crowd stayed in their seats following the game, as Nittany Lion players dumped the water bucket on JoePa, followed by speeches on the floor of Beaver Stadium in recognition of the accomplishment. Paterno was visibly moved. “You never think it’s going to be a big deal like this, with this many people. It’s just very hard to describe,” he said. "But I’m a very, very lucky guy to be at Penn State with all these fans.”  Indeed, Happy was the word in Happy Valley that Saturday – but the race for number one was far from over. 

Foghorn was in the rear view mirror, gaining, and sure enough - he passed JoePa in 2003, then extended his lead and has led ever since. But recently, Paterno has rallied, closing the gap by two games in 2007.  Now, it’s anybody’s race once again - and the finish line may not be far away.  

In the twilight of their careers, Bowden, 78 years of age, and Paterno, 81, are the two oldest active head coaches in Div. 1-A college football. And each is hangin’ in there, looking for that decisive season - the last season for the other guy.  2008 could be it. If not 2008, then 2009, or 2010 or…

When asked about the chance to go out as the all-time leader in career wins, the two living legends respond differently. “It doesn’t mean anything to me,” says Paterno, ”but it would be good for Penn State.” Yeah, right.

Bowden is more forthcoming. When asked how much longer he wants to coach, he comes clean, “I can’t quit ‘til Joe does,” he says.  And there you have it.  The last man standing can stroll leisurely across the finish line and into the sunset as the winningest coach in the history of major college football - a sweet little bonus to warm those chilly autumn Saturdays during retirement.

So, Bowden or Paterno?  Who will it be? And when? Will 2008 be the stretch run?

While both face formidable conference slates in the upcoming season, Florida State has the slightly tougher non-conference schedule with a home game versus Florida and a neutral site contest with Colorado in Jacksonville.  Those games are offset by the ridiculous scheduling of not one but TWO Division I-AA foes.

Penn State hosts Oregon State and Temple while going on the road to play Syracuse.  To make sure he gets as many wins as he can, JoePa opens the season with that juggernaut, Coastal Carolina.

Both coaches have recently signed new contracts that address the length of their tenures.  When you look at the current state of each program, it appears that JoePa will battle Foghorn Leghorn to the bitter end. But will it be enough? How much longer will this once-in-a-generation saga continue?