Does Bobby Bowden see retirement in his future?

Sure.

Is that future hurtling toward the Florida State legend?

That’s a question he won’t answer.

Bowden’s path away from college football has become a hot topic, especially after the Seminoles put together two straight 7-6 seasons and hired Jimbo Fisher as their official coach-in-waiting.

But Bowden — college football’s all-time winningest coach — isn’t offering any hints on the timing.

“I’ve never set a date to get out,” he said Monday at the ACC Football Kickoff. “I play it year by year.”

What will influence him?

“I’ve got goals, certain goals I’d like to reach before I go out,” he said. “That’s it. You can’t pin me down on when. I can’t pin myself down.”

Last week, Bowden gave Florida reporters a hint of his intentions.

“It’s close. It’s getting close,” he said at a Florida preseason football conference. “I’ll just have to feel when it’s time. That’s from my end. I’ve got to be sure it’s not decided by (Florida State officials’) time.”

Tommy Bowden thinks his father will know when stepping away is right.

“He’s coached for so long and been so successful,” Clemson’s coach said. “I’m not that old, haven’t been that successful. I think he’ll know when to give it up. I think he thinks he can still get (FSU) turned (around).”

For his part, Tommy, 54, says he can’t imagine hanging around as long as pops has.

“I don’t think I’m nearly going to be as excited as he is at 78,” he said. “I think I’ve got 10 (years left) at the most. I don’t think I’ve got 78 in me.”

NAPIER A TARGET?

Much of Clemson’s recent recruiting success — including a class ranked as high as No. 1 nationally last February — can be tracked to recruiting coordinator Billy Napier, in his second full year at the position.

When Napier’s name was brought up Monday as a potential target for other coaches, Bowden didn’t shoot the messenger.

“I got some calls about him last year,” Bowden said, noting the interest came from SEC schools.

TIGERS, HOKIES FAVORITES

Clemson and Virginia Tech are the overwhelming favorites to meet in the ACC title game at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium Dec. 6. Clemson received 59 of 65 Atlantic Division first-place votes, followed by Wake Forest (6), Florida State (1), Boston College, Maryland and N.C. State.

Virginia Tech led Coastal Division voting with 58 votes, followed by North Carolina (4), Miami (1), Georgia Tech (1), Virginia (1) and Duke.

QUARTERBACK QUANDARY

Frank Beamer says a decision on Virginia Tech’s quarterback situation must be made during preseason practice. Does he go with steady senior Sean Glennon or athletic sophomore Tyrod Taylor? Even Beamer doesn’t seem sure — but if he uses them in a tandem, he’s learned from 2007.

“We’re fortunate to have two good quarterbacks. We’ve got to make a decision preseason what’s best for us,” Beamer said. “If anything, what we did last year, we needed both those guys to win the ACC championship.

“Both those guys made great plays. We tried to get it where Tyrod had his plays, Sean had his plays, and we had plays both of those guys ran. If anything, I’d try and get it these are Tyrod’s plays, these are Sean’s plays, and whoever play we’re going to run, that’s who’s in the ballgame. You worry about getting too predictable, but the more you can say if I’m calling this play, that’s the quarterback, the better.”