In the bigger picture, the SEC championship game showdown that everyone wanted to see is set. Not only did Florida romp, but Alabama took care of business with a 36-0 whipping of Auburn.

Tim Tebow threw three touchdown passes, ran for 80 yards and another score, and the Gators did not allow a sloppy field and rainstorm to slow them down. It was the most points Florida has ever scored in Tallahassee.

"It was a good tail-whipping," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "I didn't think they would beat us like that here. The last time we had a beating like that was last year against them."

Florida (11-1) has won five in a row against Bowden's team, and this one was nearly as big a laugher as last season's 45-12 victory in Gainesville.

Florida scored on five of its first seven possessions, held Florida State (8-4) without a touchdown for the first 2? quarters and again proved that the gap between the two programs is as wide as ever.

"They score so many points so fast that everybody gets out of their game plan," said Bowden, whose team allowed 28 first-half points for the first time since 1989. "You're trying to catch up, and you start doing things you shouldn't be doing."

FSU likely will have to settle for a spot in the Gator Bowl against Nebraska. Florida's postseason outlook is much brighter.

If the Gators can beat Alabama next Saturday, they would lock up a spot in the Bowl Championship Series national title game in Miami.

The Gators look capable of winning it all. They ran for 317 yards and dominated just about every aspect.

Alabama 36, Auburn 0: Already No. 1 in the nation, Alabama emphatically reclaimed the top spot in the state.

Glen Coffee rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown and Nick Saban's Crimson Tide (12-0, 8-0) snapped a six-year Iron Bowl losing streak by blasting the Tigers (5-7, 2-6) in Tuscaloosa by the biggest margin in the series in 46 years.

Leading 10-0 at the half, the Tide scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to let the fans start the celebration early and complete its first perfect regular season since 1994.

Mark Ingram rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns for the Tide. John Parker Wilson was 8 of 16 for 134 yards and a touchdown in his final home game. The Tigers were outgained 412-170 in total yards and lost three fumbles.