A rivalry is renewed by success

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Two of the nation's best teams, with national championship hopes on the line. Now this feels like one of those classic Florida-Florida State games.

In recent years, the rivalry hasn't been quite what it used to be when Bobby Bowden was coaching the Seminoles and Steve Spurrier was leading the Gators back in the 1990s.

For the first time since 2000, both the Gators and 'Noles are ranked in the top 10 for their regular-season finale.

Defense is each team's signature, so expect points and yards to be tough to come by.

The Seminoles (10-1, 7-1) lead the nation in total defense and rank among the top five in four other defensive categories.

Florida (10-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) isn't far behind, sitting fourth nationally in total defense.

Both will need the help of at least an upset or two this weekend, but it's certainly possible that the winner could play in the BCS championship game.

Florida's only loss was to third-ranked Georgia. Florida State, which plays Georgia Tech next week in the ACC title game, was upset at North Carolina State.

Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease is well aware the Seminole defense has held Florida to a single touchdown in each of the last two years.

They've got all the ingredients to be what they want to be, Pease said. They've got it all in place.

Florida State is giving up 13.1 points and 236.3 yards a game this season and has 28 sacks with defensive ends Cornellius Tank Carradine and Bjoern Werner combining for 20 of those.

They're going to win some battles, Pease said. You've got to have some man beaters and got to hold up in protection.

The Gator front will need to keep the Seminole rush away from quarterback Jeff Driskel, who returns Saturday after missing last week's game with a sprained ankle. Driskel, who didn't play in last year's loss, has completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 1,324 yards & 10 TDs.