GAINESVILLE -- Florida International doesn't have much of a chance against the top-ranked Florida Gators on Saturday, but the Golden Panthers can still play the role of spoiler.

FIU will be a heavy underdog when it travels to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this weekend for its final road game of the season.

Although it seems unlikely the Golden Panthers (3-7) will ruin the Gators' hopes of a first-ever undefeated season, coach Mario Cristobal's team could prevent UF's Tim Tebow from receiving an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony as a finalist for the award.

Tebow, the Gators' senior quarterback, began the season as a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but his production in 2009 hasn't come close to equaling the lofty numbers he achieved in 2007 and 2008.

A poor game against FIU and Tebow's chances of becoming the first player in college football history to win two Heismans and three national championships could come to an end.

On Monday, Florida coach Urban Meyer was asked if Tebow might play the entire game against FIU to help pad the quarterback's stats.

In past games against non-BCS opponents, Tebow has remained the Gators' active quarterback only long enough for UF (10-0) to build an insurmountable lead. Meyer ignored the question and insisted that Gators' goal on Saturday is to win the game.

``The best thing about 10-0 is the chance to be 11-0,'' Meyer said. ``We don't even think about that. It's a very talented team and a team capable of coming in here and playing with the Florida Gators.''

HAVING A FEAST

Over the past three seasons, Tebow has feasted against inferior competition. In his seven games as a starter against non-BCS schools, Tebow has thrown for 1,637 yards and 18 touchdowns with one interception. On the ground, Tebow has scrambled or rushed for 306 yards on 61 carries and six touchdowns against non-BCS opponents.

Tebow can't guarantee himself a seat in the front row for the Heisman Trophy ceremony with a strong performance against FIU, but a poor performance against the Golden Panthers could certainly hurt his chances.

Tebow is already well off the pace he achieved in 2007 and 2008. Tebow won the Heisman in 2007 and was third in voting in 2008.

The Heisman Trophy is determined in part by a player's statistics. Tebow's averages against non-BCS competition since 2007 are: 233.9 passing yards per game, 2.6 passing touchdowns per game, 43.7 yards rushing yards per game on 8.7 carries.

FIU's defense, meanwhile, has allowed 237.5 yards passing per game against BCS opponents this season.

Alabama passed for one touchdown against FIU while Rutgers didn't throw a touchdown pass against the Golden Panthers.

FIU starting middle linebacker Toronto Smith said the Golden Panthers are ready to face Tebow.

``It's the greatest opportunity in the world. How many people can say they tackled Tim Tebow?'' he asked. ``This is going to be a great opportunity. We're looking forward to doing it.''

VOTING FOR HIMSELF?

Heisman Trophy electors received e-mails this week alerting them that all voting will be done online this year. The deadline for electors to cast their ballots is Dec. 7, two days after Florida plays Alabama in the SEC championship game. There are 926 electors this year.

Tebow became lifetime elector after winning the award in 2007. While Tebow received his notification e-mail this week, he said on Monday that he is not concerned with the award.

``I get to play FIU and FSU the last game in The Swamp and then we play the University of Alabama and I'm extremely focused on those games,'' Tebow said. ``If we win those games I won't be too discouraged if I don't go to New York.''

Tebow did concede that if he is invited to New York as Heisman finalist, he would like to win the award.

Miami Herald Staff writer Pete Pelegrin contributed to this report.