THE TIMES’ RANKING / TOP 25 : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team: 1. Nebraska (12-0)

Opponent: Michigan State

Comment: Count Terrell Farley’s DWI suspension as first loss of the season.

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Team: 2. Florida State (10-2)

Opponent: Duke

Comment: Suddenly, Sept. 28 against North Carolina looks spooky.

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Team: 3. Florida (1-0)

Opponent: Ga. Southern

Comment: Four defensive touchdowns last week? Who spiked the Gatorade?

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Team: 4. Tennessee (1-0)

Opponent: UCLA

Comment: Volunteers, repeat after me: “We’re not looking ahead to Florida.”

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Team: 5. Colorado (1-0)

Opponent: Colorado State

Comment: Buffaloes, together now: “We’re not looking ahead to Michigan.”

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Team: 6. Penn State (1-0)

Opponent: Louisville

Comment: Joe Paterno worried sick after Cardinals’ defeat of Kentucky.

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Team: 7. Notre Dame (9-3)

Opponent: at Vanderbilt

Comment: Opened the season Thursday night.

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Team: 8. Ohio State (11-2)

Opponent: Rice

Comment: Loss here could cost Buckeyes the national title.

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Team: 9. Texas (1-0)

Opponent: New Mex. St.

Comment: Longhorns feel good after James Brown-led romp over Missouri.

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Team: 10. Syracuse (9-3)

Opponent: North Carolina

Comment: Might want to order tape of Tar Heels’ 45-0 whitewash of Clemson.

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Team: 11. Miami (1-0)

Opponent: Citadel

Comment: Hurricane players won’t take a limo to this one.

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Team: 12. Northwestern (10-2)

Opponent: at Wake Forest

Comment: Some skeptics picking Purple to finish fifth ... in this game.

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Team: 13. Michigan (1-0)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Resting up for Revenge Bowl against Colorado.

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Team: 14. BYU (1-0)

Opponent: Idle

Comment: Quarterback Steve Sarkisian needs a weekend off to rest his arm.

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Team: 15. Alabama (1-0)

Opponent: Southern Miss.

Comment: Yo, Tide, ask Georgia if you need to practice for this one.

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Team: 16. Virginia Tech (10-2)

Opponent: at Akron

Comment: When you’re from Blacksburg, this is almost a trip to the Caymans.

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Team: 17. Auburn (1-0)

Opponent: Fresno State

Comment: Not impressed with 29-0 win over Alabama Birmingham.

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Team: 18. Kansas State (1-0)

Opponent: Indiana State

Comment: Cushy stretch--Cincinnati and Rice to follow--before Nebraska.

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Team: 19. USC (0-1)

Opponent: at Illinois

Comment: Still haven’t moved Daylon McCutcheon or tackled Curtis Enis.

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Team: 20. LSU (7-4-1)

Opponent: Houston

Comment: Can anyone from the SEC beat Conference USA?

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Team: 21. Texas A&M; (0-1)

Opponent: Idle

Comment: Doesn’t play again until Sept. 21. Needs the practice.

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Team: 22. Iowa (8-4)

Opponent: Arizona

Comment: A good test for team contemplating Rose Bowl.

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Team: 23. Virginia (9-4)

Opponent: Central Michigan

Comment: Tim Sherman’s a fifth-year senior at quarterback but lacks experience.

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Team: 24. North Carolina (1-0)

Opponent: at Syracuse

Comment: Welcome to the poll. Enjoy it while it lasts.

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Team: 25. Michigan State (1-0)

Opponent: at Nebraska

Comment: Welcome to the poll. Please see North Carolina for details.

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THE POLLS

Associated Press and USA Today/CNN--C10