By David Droschak
AP Sports Writer

Media favorite Bobby Bowden hasn’t been quite as approachable lately.

The 73-year-old Florida State coach has endured the gambling trial of former quarterback Adrian McPherson, been swindled out of $1.6 million by his eldest son and taken hits by some who believe he’s lost control of the storied football program – on and off the field.

Bowden even told his secretary he wasn’t returning calls – for the entire summer.

“I wasn’t worth confronting, I can tell you that,” Bowden said. “But it’s a new year and I’ve got my anger behind me. I’m ready to go.”

How about his team, which has lost a total of nine games the last two seasons and been bumped from the list of perennial Top 10 teams?

“I’ve had to face the reality of losing games for the first time in a long time – and I don’t like it,” said Bowden, who has a career record of 332-96-4 and is second only to Penn State’s Joe Paterno in all-time wins. “I’m trying to do something about it. I have never considered retirement a day in my life.

“I guess it’s like an old fighter, you always think you can win that (national) title again – and I do think we can.”

The Seminoles have won 10 of 11 ACC crowns since joining the league in 1992, but the dominance appears to be ending. North Carolina State, Maryland and Virginia should challenge Florida State for the league championship in 2003.

“I would be lying to think this conference isn’t better than it was 10 years ago,” Bowden said. “It’s not only tougher but it’s beginning to assert itself.”

Florida State’s inconsistency the last two seasons has come on defense and from the quarterback position, two areas where the Seminoles have excelled for most of Bowden’s 27 years in Tallahassee. The defense will see 10 starters return this year.

“If you are going to get better, that’s the place you better get better at,” Bowden said. “You can take a great offense with a good defense and go about 8-3, but if you take a great defense with a good offense you might get them all or go 11-1.”

A capsule look at the ACC:

Florida State

Quarterback Chris Rix will again be a key on offense. He fell out of favor with the coaching staff last season over his inability to stay in the pocket, while his brash personality off the field created a major team rift.

Rix ended up losing his starting job late in a 9-5 season – the most losses for Bowden since the Seminoles went 6-5 in 1981.

“He is good enough to win a national championship,” Bowden said. “Now, is he going to play good enough, is he going to play up to his potential? That has to be answered this season.”

Defensive leader Michael Boulware said the team is finally ready to trust Rix.

“We might have more talent than ever before,” the linebacker said. “It blows my mind. The unity factor is the difference. Once we get there nobody will be able to stay on the field with us.

“We’ve already gotten all of our bad blood out and we’re starting to build around (Rix) now. There are some things that Rix does that we may not like, but to get where we want to be, to win a national championship, we’ve got to get past that.”

N.C. State

N.C. State is 26-12 in three seasons under former FSU assistant Chuck Amato and came within 15 points of an undefeated season in 2002.

The Wolfpack will rely on senior quarterback Philip Rivers, who should break the all-time ACC passing mark by the fourth or fifth game, and arguably the top skill players in the league.

However, Amato is being cautious, saying his offensive and defensive lines need work.

“In three years we have not finished any higher than fourth. What makes people think we’re going to be first all of the sudden?” Amato said.

Maryland

Ralph Friedgen’s 21-5 mark is best second-year coaching record in ACC history. … 2001 offensive player of the year Bruce Perry returns in good health after carrying the ball just 72 times last season because of various injuries. … Steve Suter is one of the most dangerous return men in the nation.

Virginia

ACC player of the year Matt Schaub returns to quarterback Cavaliers. … Return nine starters from an offense that averaged 28.7 points a game. … Virginia has played 13 games against ranked teams last two seasons, going 6-7.

Clemson

Tommy Bowden is 0-4 against his father since taking over the Tigers and 1-3 in bowl games. … Justin Miller led ACC with eight interceptions, the best single-season mark since Dre’ Bly had an ACC-record 11 in 1996. … Has dropped last seven games against ranked opponents.

North Carolina

Led ACC in passing offense for first time since 1963. … Darian Durant’s 61.4 completion percentage is best in school history. … Tar Heels return entire offensive line. … North Carolina went 0-6 at home last season, allowing 34 or more points in four of those losses.

Wake Forest

Returns just three starters from an offense that led the ACC in yards. … Finished fifth in the nation with a plus-18 turnover margin. … Looking to string together three straight winning seasons for first time since early 1950s.

Georgia Tech

Star DE Greg Gathers missed most of last season with a kidney ailment and still hasn’t been cleared to play. He needs five sacks to set ACC record at 36. … A.J. Suggs threw 15 interceptions – most in the league – and could lose starting spot.

Duke

Blue Devils have lost a record 25 straight ACC games. … Carl Franks is 5-40 in his four seasons in Durham.

… Return an ACC-high 11 starters on offense and nine on defense. … Led ACC in rushing defense for first time since 1957. … Has lost 21 in a row to ranked opponents.

AP-ES-08-20-03 0217EDT