Tampa, Fla. ? Ten wins. Four losses.

The first is a universally recognized symbol of success in college football. The second, especially at a place like Michigan, is the epitome of mediocrity.

The 12th-ranked Wolverines (9-3) will define their season today when they play No. 22 Florida (8-4) in the Outback Bowl. It’s either 10 wins or four losses for Michigan, and given that program’s tradition-filled past, there is a big difference.

“The real difference?” coach Lloyd Carr said. “I’ll leave that up to you. But it’s double digits, and I think it’s significant.”

The Wolverines’ season could have been even better had it not been for quarterback John Navarre’s early struggles, along with a banged-up offensive line that didn’t open many holes for runners Chris Perry and B.J. Askew.

Michigan lost, 25-23, to Notre Dame in September, then saw its hopes for a Big Ten title plummet with a 34-9 loss to Iowa, the worst Wolverine loss in the Big House since 1967.

A 14-9 loss to Ohio State came later, even though Michigan played well. With that, the Wolverines found themselves on the cusp of four losses.

When it comes to losses, four has never really been acceptable at Michigan.

In reality, 10 wins is more of the measuring stick.

“It’s the measurement of greatness at Michigan,” tight end Bennie Joppru said. “To be 9-4 doesn’t cut it. To be 10-3, with a 10-win season, that puts you over the hump and that’s what we’ve been looking for all season long, 10 wins.”

Double digits are out of the question at Florida, of course. But the Gators, under first-year coach Ron Zook, still have goals.

They are looking to win nine games for the 13th straight year, and if they do, they will hold the longest active nine-win streak in the nation, supplanting Nebraska, which saw a stretch of 33 years end this season.

“It’s definitely big because it’s the last game, and a lot of times people remember what happened in your last game,” safety Todd Johnson said.

The Gators certainly would like to change some opinions this week. Although Zook’s rookie year has been far from a disaster, it has been uneven.

Last year’s Heisman runner-up, quarterback Rex Grossman, has struggled to find his niche in a new offense. Led by Johnson and linebacker Bam Hardmon, the defense has been solid at times, suspect at others. Special teams, which were supposedly Zook’s forte, have been mediocre-to-awful.

Yet Florida was in the running for the Southeastern Conference title until the final game of the conference schedule. The Gators have victories over three of their biggest rivals — Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia.