ORIDA AND FSU FACE OFF FOR TOP SPOT.

Byline: Brent Kallestad Associated Press

What a way to end the regular season: No.1 vs. No.2 matching 10-0 records on the final day of November.

When top-ranked Florida and No.2 Florida State meet today, it will be for a shot at the national championship.

``This is like the Super Bowl,'' Florida linebacker Mike Peterson said.

It is, as Florida State coach Bobby Bowden described it, ``the semifinal game,'' of an otherwise unstructured playoff system.

And it's intense.

``We don't like FSU and they don't like us,'' Florida coach Steve Spurrier said. ``That's the way it should be.''

Spurrier's high-powered offense faces the nation's top-ranked defense in Florida State, which has held eight of 10 opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. The Seminoles' last two opponents finished with negative rushing yards.

``No one has gone up and down the field on FSU, and that's why they're the No.1 defense,'' Spurrier said. ``Hopefully, we can make some yards here and there, run a little and throw a little and see what happens.''

Florida is led by the most proficient passer in NCAA history, while Florida State counters with its all-time leading runner.

Danny Wuerffel - the most accurate passer in NCAA history - leads a Florida offense that is averaging nearly 50 points and 500 yards per game against a defense allowing 10 points and 200 yards per game.

``If we don't harass him some, we won't be able to stop them,'' Bowden said. ``He is so good at finding his open receivers.''

Wuerffel, who has thrown 30 touchdown passes this year, has averaged 400 yards passing in his last three games against Florida State. Despite being sacked seven times, he passed for 443 yards and four touchdowns last year in Florida's 35-24 victory.

Florida State's defense, led by pass rushers Peter Boulware and Reinard Wilson, is much improved this year. Boulware has 19 sacks and Wilson 12.

Warrick Dunn - Florida State's all-time leading rusher - keys a Seminoles offense that has gained momentum late in the season and is averaging 40 points and 400 yards per game.

Florida was not able to stop Dunn in four previous games, including a Sugar Bowl matchup in 1995.

``You've just got to... hold him down,'' Peterson said.

Dunn needs five yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season.

For the first time since 1987, Florida State is an underdog on its home field, with Florida favored by 2 points.

A win by Florida State would send the Seminoles to New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl for a national-title game Jan. 2, most likely against Nebraska, which beat Colorado on Friday.

Florida, which meets Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title game next Saturday, would like to get a shot at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers humiliated the Gators 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl for the 1995 national championship.`