Matt Hayes

Bobby Bowden tried, he really did. He thought he could make it one more season, one more fall with his boys to take one more run at glory.

Then his coaching mortality flashed before his eyes in a majestic orange-and-blue blur last weekend. It's a young man's game now. An 80-year-old can't keep up with the likes of Urban Meyer.

"I think we are better," Bowden said after another blowout loss to rival Florida on Saturday. "But our record don't look any better."

It's time, everyone. No matter how it ends, it can't be pretty. But make no mistake, it must end now.

FSU officials and Bowden announced Tuesday that the legendary coach would step down after the bowl game. The reality of where the program sits should have smacked heavy-hitting boosters and decision-makers in Tallahassee like an 18-pound sledgehammer after another emasculation at the hands of the Gators.

FSU isn't trying to return to the top of the ACC or be nationally relevant again. The 'Noles are chasing state rival — and recruiting behemoth — Florida. And the gulf between the two programs is mind-numbingly drastic.

There isn't one player on the Florida State starting 22 who could start for Florida. Wait, maybe one: guard Rodney Hudson. The fact that we're debating one player should be a complete and utter shock to anyone associated with the FSU program.

This isn't some rinky-dink operation in Tallahassee. This is a deep-pocketed program that for years recruited better than anyone, played big games better than anyone, churned out All-Americans and NFL first-round draft picks better than anyone, and generally made life miserable for Florida during the golden years of the Steve Spurrier era.

And now look: another six-loss season, another meaningless bowl game, another season of "wait until Jimbo Fisher gets the job." I've got some disturbing news for FSU fans: He may not be an upgrade.

But at the very least, it's time to give Fisher complete control. Let him build a staff of loyal assistants and like minds, let him make decisions and take chances and make mistakes. Let the career assistant jump into the deep end and see if he can swim.

Allowing Bowden to stay another season — and it pains me to write this because there aren't many better men than Bowden — allows the stink to stick longer. The last time FSU was relevant early this decade, current high school recruits were in elementary school.

The more this team churns out 6-6, the more potential difference-makers lose interest. The college game is about players, about procuring and developing talent and building a program that recruits itself once a championship level has been attained.

Another year with Bowden may feel better. But, as the game's icon so eloquently said, it don't look any better.

It's time, everyone.

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