Anybody who covers Penn State football will tell you that the most common question they face is: “How long is Paterno going to keep coaching?” It’s not surprising because Joe Paterno will celebrate his 81st birthday in December, and is wrapping up his record-setting 42nd season as the head coach in Happy Valley. He’s been a member of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff since Harry Truman was President.

The truth is that nobody in the media knows Paterno’s retirement plans, if there are any. But here is a compelling reason that as long as he remains healthy, Paterno is going to keep coaching for the foreseeable future: he is closing in on Florida State’s Bobby Bowden in the race to be major college football’s victory leader.

Heading into this weekend, Bowden leads Paterno on the all-time win list by one, 370-369. Paterno owned the mark from 2001-2003 but then was overtaken by Bowden, 77, near the end of a down period, when PSU suffered four losing seasons in five years.

But since 2005, the Lions are 26-7 and Florida State has struggled (19-14). And with very difficult roads games at Boston College, Virginia Tech and Florida coming up this season, Bowden and the Seminoles may struggle to avoid the program’s first losing season since 1976.

If that happens, Paterno could head into next season atop the list once again. Or the two Hall of Fame coaches could be tied. And unless Bowden decides to retire, Paterno is too much of a competitor to drop out of this incredible personal rivalry unless he is assured the top spot. – NEIL GEOGHEGAN.