When folks find out I cover the Seminoles, the first thing they invariably ask me is how long do I think Bobby Bowden (pictured above) would remain the coach. That's not a new one, either. I've gotten that one since I started covering FSU in 1996. The only answer I've ever been able to give is that Coach Bowden has said he has no desire to get out, although these days he's admitting that his days are numbered. Does that mean one more season? Or two? Or three. I don't think he knows.

But let me see how I do with some of your other questions.

Q: Has the Times requested a copy of the NCAA Notice of Allegations that FSU will not disclose? As the AD stated, FSU may get tough sanctions with up to 10 scholarship loses per year. How is none of this being reported by the Times? -- Tyrus

A: Tyrus, I can assure you that the St. Petersburg Times has aggressively sought the release of documents regarding the academic misconduct scandal, including the Notice of Allegations from the Division I Committee on Infractions. In fact, if you check out my blog, you'll find that the Times was the first media outlet to report that FSU had in fact received the NOA. FSU is withholding that, citing student privacy (court cases have given the school latitude about releasing documents if it has to re-dact student names) as well as an on-going NCAA investigation, drawing a distinction to documents it generates from its own investigation.

As for the possible sanctions, the Times did report FSU's proposed self-imposed penalties, including scholarship reductions in proportion to the number of student-athletes in a particular sport who were involved in the misconduct. Ultimately, the number per sport (and even how long FSU would have to absorb such a hit) isn't going to be known until the Committee on Infractions hears the case, tentatively set for Oct. 18, and then issues its ruling, probably about six weeks later.

Q: Will the addition of Chris St. John to the coaching staff make much of a difference? -- David

A: David, I assume you meant new tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator James Coley and not graduate assistant Chris St. John, who was also a GA last year. Coley was Florida International's offensive coordinator last season and FIU had a huge statistical improvement; the rushing attack amassed a school record 1,429 yards, for instance. Perhaps most important for FSU fans is that Coley has a strong working relationship with offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. Coley was a GA at LSU working for Fisher in 2003-04. Fisher has said he's planning to stay on the sidelines for games, which means you can expect that Coley will be among his eyes in the press box.

Q: When will this QB fiasco be over? Shouldn't we be working with one guy so we can get a rhythm? -- Aaron

A: Aaron, I don't think I'd call the quarterback competition a "fiasco.'' Would the FSU coaches prefer to have a clear-cut No. 1 as they enjoyed with Charlie Ward or Chris Weinke? Of course. But they don't and haven't for a while now. Drew Weatherford (right), Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson all have talent and their own strengths and weaknesses. Coach Bowden has said the final decision on who will start belongs to Fisher, although he will contribute his "two cents,'' but added that he's sure Fisher would like to see all three play against both Western Carolina and Chattanooga the first two weeks of the FSU season.

Remember, game experience can't be replicated on the practice field, and Weatherford has 33 starts. Ponder had some impressive moments in his lone appearance last year at Virginia Tech and then some predictable mistakes in the final quarter. Richardson has only had two plays at quarterback and both were designed runs. How Ponder and Richardson perform under the bright lights looms large in any final evaluation.

-- Brian Landman, Times Staff Writer

(Photos: Bowden -- US PRESSWIRE, Weatherford -- AP)