TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Some coaches don't talk to their players about the BCS, preferring to let the team do the talking on the field.

But not Bobby Bowden. After all, there was Bowden last week, prior to Florida State's game with Wake Forest, detailing the importance of not just winning, but dominating the Demon Deacons, a 47-point underdog to FSU.

One 35-6 win later and the Seminoles slipped a spot to No. 3 behind Miami and No. 1 Oklahoma.

Another National Semifinal?

In five of the last seven years, the winner of the FSU-Florida game has gone on to play for the national championship. 1999: FSU 30, Florida 20 Sugar Bowl FSU 46, Virginia Tech 29 1998: FSU 23, Florida 12 '99 Fiesta Bowl Tennessee 23, FSU 16 1996: FSU 24, UF 21 '97 Sugar Bowl Florida 52, FSU 20 1995: Florida 35, FSU 24 '96 Fiesta Bowl Nebraska 62, Florida 24 1993: FSU 33, Florida 21 '94 Orange Bowl FSU 18, Nebraska 16

This week, there won't be any number crunching or BCS pep talks. That's because without a conference championship game in the ACC, the Seminoles figure they're all but a lock for the Jan. 4 national championship game if they beat Florida on Saturday.

"What I know of the formula, I would think we would jump back ahead of Miami if we win," Bowden said. "If Florida wins, they might even jump ahead of them too. For this game, the math is simple -- if you lose, you're out."

Florida could jump as high as No. 2 this weekend with a win over the Seminoles and a Miami loss at Syracuse. The Gator situation is a tad more complicated, though, as they have the SEC Championship ahead of them before a bowl game. Florida State, meanwhile, plays its final regular-season game Saturday.

"It could be a disadvantage to have to play that game, but it could be an advantage if you have one loss and can play you are now given an opportunity to play your way into the final game," Florida coach Steve Spurrier said. "But certainly if you are in the position to be in the final game already, it's a huge disadvantage."

Such is the case for a team like Oklahoma, undefeated entering the last week of the regular season, but staring at a Big 12 Championship game probably against Kansas State.

The fact that Saturday's Florida-Florida State showdown carries heavy national championship implications is nothing new. Florida State's 30-23 victory in Gainesville last year marked the fifth time in seven years that this game's winner went on to play for the national championship.

In 1996, both teams not only ended the regular season with their annual quarrel, but locked horns again at the Sugar Bowl in the national championship game. While Florida State won the first match 24-21, Florida prevailed in the game that mattered most, dominating 52-20.

In 1997, Florida State entered the annual battle ranked No. 2 in the country, but a 32-29 last-minute loss to 10th-ranked Florida ended any Seminole hopes for a national championship. Florida State led by four points in that game with less than two minutes to play.

"That game is the biggest disappointment I've had since Steve has been at Florida," Bowden said. "They drove down the field in about three plays to beat us."

The national championship race could be that close this year -- but in the polls. For now, less than half of one point separates No. 2 Miami and No. 3 Florida State. The current gap is in strength of schedule, which will surely improve for the Seminoles the second they step on the field with the 4th-ranked Gators. A Clemson win this weekend against a strong South Carolina team will also give a little boost to the FSU schedule strength.

Too confusing? A distraction to what takes place on the field? Not according to Bowden.

"I guess it's how you look at it," he said. "It's motivating to me. If you're 15th in the nation, who cares I guess. But when you're wrapped up in it, to me, that's fun."