Florida State coach Bobby Bowden confident Christian Ponder will play, despite his limited practice work so far this week

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said quarterback Christian Ponder (bruised ribs) hasn't participated in any team work on Monday and Tuesday, but has thrown and "I think he'll be okay for Saturday.'' He said Ponder is that tough.

Bowden did say that heralded redshirt freshman EJ Manuel has gotten needed work with the first-team offense and "he's doing pretty well.'' Here's a couple other tidbits from today's ACC teleconference from Bowden:

+ Bowden reiterated quite strongly that offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, the head-coach-in-waiting, will help make the decision on the replacement for defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews. Said Bowden "He definitely has to have a say-so because he's the future here. It's one of those things I'll make the final decision on, but I'll definitely get his input and very strongly.''

+ Bowden also said that Andrews' decision to step down after this year has no impact on any decision about his own future. Said Bowden: "Mickey's leaving doesn't have anything to do with my tenure here at Florida State. I sure hated to lose him, tried to talk him into staying, but Mickey's got his family in mind. He's put a lot of years into college coaching and wants to spend time with his grandchildren. Again, I can't say how much I hate to lose him because so much of the success we've had since he came here in 1984 ... so much of our success, probably the highest percentage of it, should go to Mickey Andrews. You would think there must be something happening, no, it has no bearing whatsoever on what I do.''