The only thing Steve Spurrier likes to talk about less than a quarterback controversy is whether his team will win the 2001 national championship.

''For me to talk national title is not smart because our path is much more difficult,'' Spurrier said. ''College football is unfair in that respect. The road to a national title isn't the same for everyone.

"We have to play eight Southeastern Conference games, then Florida State and an SEC Championship game. You almost have to go 13-0. Tennessee (in 1998) and Oklahoma (in 2000) did it, but if you ask me, Miami and FSU got a better setup to win a national championship.''

Maybe so, but not many teams have the talent, depth and experience that Florida enjoys this season. Even with the early departures of tackles Kenyatta Walker and Gerard Warren to the NFL, the Gators return 17 starters, All-America kicker Jeff Chandler and enough quality backups to absorb some injuries.

But if Florida is to repeat as SEC champion and challenge for a final No. 1 ranking in the Rose Bowl, it'll have to overcome obstacles that have become problematic for the Gators in recent years: Finding a quarterback who can win the job and keep it, and developing a defensive toughness that'll keep them from imploding in big games.

In seven losses the past two seasons, Florida has given up an average of 36.4 points.

Spurrier brought in former Gator Jerry Odom -- a fireplug linebacker on his first UF team in 1990 -- to tutor the linebackers, and imported Ricky Hunley from Missouri to handle the defensive line.

It'll help, too, that the Gators are experienced at every position except tackle, where UF lost Warren to the NFL and the other top two players to graduation. Counted upon to fill those interior gaps are juniors Tron LaFavor, Arpedge Rolle and Chris Reynolds, along with sophomores Ian Scott and Darrell Lee.

Everywhere else, defensive coordinator Jon Hoke has the personnel to help the Gators reduce that 346 yards allowed per game last season, the most UF has yielded since 1982.

Florida's defense consistently outperformed the offense during spring scrimmages, giving a maligned Hoke even more encouragement that his unit might actually meet the high standards set by the perfectionist head coach.

Though the Gators generated a nation-high 40 turnovers last season, they also had a soft underbelly that manifested itself at critical moments, particularly away from The Swamp. Getting Tennessee, Mississippi State and FSU at home this season should help turn things around, but most important is that Hoke has a lineup deep with playmakers.

From linebacker Andra Davis, who appears to be back in top form after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the opening game last year, to cornerback Lito Sheppard, to pass-rush specialist Alex Brown, to cerebral safety Todd Johnson, the Gators have their share of stars and a strong supporting cast.

The defense just needs to mesh and stay healthy. Three linebackers expected to see a lot of playing time -- Travis Carroll, Marcus Oquendo-Johnson and Byron Hardmon -- missed all or part of spring practice with various injuries. The veteran secondary looks like the best in the college game, which should reduce big plays allowed.

The other irritating pattern that has driven Spurrier crazy is that he's been unable to settle on one starting quarterback and have that guy keep the job.

Now it's Rex Grossman and Brock Berlin battling it out, and their spring performances did little to resolve the issue of who's No. 1.

''I'd prefer to have one guy who is clearly the best,'' Spurrier said. ''They're about the same as far as talent, so it comes down to brains as to who will be our quarterback.''

Given that Grossman threw 21 touchdown passes last season as a part-time starter, he would appear to merit an edge over a quarterback that threw just 27 passes.

Either way, there will be plenty of talent to throw to. The first option figures to be sophomore Jabar Gaffney, who tore apart SEC secondaries last season with 1,184 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, both Division I-A freshman records.

Junior Reche Caldwell emerged as another receiving threat in the second half of 2000, and junior Taylor Jacobs was the guy Spurrier called ''the spring offensive MVP.''

The bigger question for this offense is whether it can force defenses to respect the run, something the Gators have been too quick to abandon at critical times. Tailbacks Robert Gillespie and Earnest Graham are quality runners, and the wildcard is redshirt freshman Willie Green, a former Parade All-American who missed all of last season after undergoing surgery on both knees.

The backs can run behind an offensive line that returns three starters, most notably tackle Mike Pearson. The Gators hope to get a big lift from senior center Zac Zedalis, who hasn't played since the 1999 season opener when he injured his left knee.

Lindy's Football Annuals (National, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10, ACC, plus Pro) are available at newsstands regionally, or can be ordered as a set at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.