The Seminoles (8-4) were not expected to beat Florida. They were double-digit underdogs despite playing at home in a rivalry series they once controlled. Most pundits figured the game could get one-sided for the Gators.

Amid a continual rainstorm, the game evolved as miserably as the weather for Florida State.

The Seminoles were again pummeled by the Gators, this time 45-15, and it could have been worse. It was over before halftime, then sealed when FSU quarterback Christian Ponder threw an interception on the first play of the second half, and it led to a Florida touchdown to make the score 35-9. The rest of the game was just a formality on a swampy field.

"I didn't think they would beat us like that here," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "I thought we'd make it closer. That was just a real good whipping, just like last year."

In fact, it was 45-12 last year. It was 34-7 in 2005.

The Gators have now won five straight in the series for the first time in 20 years. But what happened this time at Doak Campbell Stadium has reignited debate on Bowden's future, his standing with an angry fan base and the status of the program.

Florida is the team that FSU fans judge success of a season. With the Seminoles getting pounded three of the last four years, and losing five in a row, it's not a good sign. And Bowden's supporters are dwindling fast.

"We'll come back," Bowden said. "All you have to do is study history. We'll ebb and flow again.

"They're having their day right now, but I believe Florida State will be back."

And then, Bowden paused, and said something that was telling.

"Somebody'll see it (FSU return to elite status). It might happen when I'm here -- but I doubt it. I don't know."

It was the largest margin of victory for Florida in Tallahassee and the most points scored by the Gators in Tallahassee, eclipsing a 42-13 win in 1972, four years before Bobby Bowden took over the program.

The Seminoles could not punch in a touchdown in the first half despite good field position. They could not stop Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Jeff Demps or anyone else in the Florida offense.

Again, it became a case of a team with superior talent, more physical athletes, creating a mismatch on nearly every snap. After Ponder threw his second-half interception, the Seminoles threw in the towel and put in senior Drew Weatherford, the No. 3 quarterback. The No. 2 quarterback, D'Vontrey Richardson, played sparingly, and it may have been his last game, too. Richardson is likely going to pursue a baseball career at FSU.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles' defense got manhandled. The Gators' offense piled up 317 rushing yards and 502 total yards in the 30-point win. It was the most points the FSU defense has allowed at home since a 49-27 loss to eventual-national champion Miami in 2001, and it was the most rushing yards allowed since a 1995 game at Clemson.

FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, whose personality turns volcanic in any loss, stayed in a post-game interview room for exactly 12 seconds, then left without taking any questions.

"We got beat by a better football team," Andrews said. "They outplayed us. They outcoached us. And they deserved to win, and (it's) embarrassing that we didn't perform any better than we did."

While the beat-down was going on, Florida State players were purposely not being informed of the Boston College-Maryland game. The Terps needed to win to send FSU into the ACC championship game. They made it close, but failed in the fourth quarter to get a tying touchdown. So the Eagles are headed to Tampa for an ACC title game that is a repeat of last year's version, which drew the fewest fans in the event's history.

Shockingly, FSU has now failed to win its division for a third consecutive year. The Seminoles will now await a bowl destination. It will either be the Gator, Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, or the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando.

The Gator Bowl has expressed interest in an FSU-Nebraska matchup, but that would also mean snubbing Georgia Tech and the loser of the ACC championship game, and the ACC may not like that prospect.

Plus, the Seminoles didn't do anything against Florida that enhanced their credentials.

SEASON RECAP:

Florida State 69, Western Carolina 0: Despite the weak opponent, the Seminoles opened up the season exactly the way they hoped, complete with an explosive offense and dominant defense. In his first start, QB Christian Ponder throws for 196 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Florida State 46, Tennessee-Chattanooga 7: Only a long touchdown pass kept this from being another shutout and complete feel-good reaction. But the Seminoles offense started fast and the game evolved as well as the Seminoles could have expected.

Wake Forest 12, Florida State 3: The Deacons get their third straight win against the Seminoles in a game marred by penalties, turnovers and breakdowns. Florida State commits seven turnovers, struggles to run the ball and never really threatens to score a touchdown, after rolling to big wins the previous two weeks.

Florida State 39, Colorado 21: The Seminoles overcome their own offensive issues with sensational play on special teams, returning a kickoff for a touchdown, blocking a punt for a safety and converting three field goals. They also continue their good fortune in Jacksonville, where they have not lost since 1989, winning seven consecutive games in the River City.

Florida State 41, Miami 39: Antone Smith gained 92 yards on 27 carries with four TDs and QB Christian Ponder added 144 rushing yards. The Seminoles gained 440 yards and converted 11-of-17 third downs; Miami was 2-of-15 on third down.

Florida State 26, North Carolina State 17: The Seminoles trailed 10-0 in the second quarter, then 17-13 in the fourth quarter on a night when the Wolfpack put everything into staging their own breakthrough game. The Seminoles finished strong with 20 second-half points.

Florida State 30, Virginia Tech 20: The Seminoles overcame a 10-0 deficit to win the ACC home game. Greg Carr had three catches for 100 yards, including two key grabs on a pair of third-quarter touchdown drives.

Georgia Tech 31, Florida State 28: The Yellow Jackets recovered a fumble in their end zone with less than a minute to play to hold off the Seminoles and take over first place in the ACC Coastal Division.

Florida State 41, Clemson 27: Freshman Jermaine Thomas ran for 94 yards on 11 carries, and the Seminoles held off the Tigers. Florida State produced 266 rushing yards overall.

Boston College 27, Florida State 17: The Golden Eagles beat No. 19 Florida State, one day after the 'Noles suspended five wide receivers to spoil FSU's homecoming and put a damper on its ACC title-game hopes.

Florida State 37, Maryland 3: The Seminoles bounced back from a lackluster showing against Boston College the week before to trounce the Terrapins on the road in their most complete showing of the year. DE Everette Brown led a stellar defensive showing by the Seminoles with three and a half sacks.

Florida 45, Florida State 15: The Gators' offense piled up 317 rushing yards and 502 total yards in the 30-point win. It was the most points the FSU defense has allowed at home since a 49-27 loss to eventual-national champion Miami in 2001, and it was the most rushing yards allowed since a 1995 game at Clemson.