TOP 25 AT A GLANCE

1) FLORIDA (5-1) LOST TO LSU, 28-21

Steve Spurrier was beside himself after the Gators lost to an SEC team for the first time in 25 games: “The team’s probably not quite near as good as everybody thought a No. 1 team should be.” Dang gum it you’re right, Coach Superior. Next: at Auburn.

2) PENN STATE (5-0) BEAT OHIO STATE, 31-27

The Nittany Lions continued their national championship run as Curtis Enis ran for 211 yards. Last year, Enis was crushed by the Buckeyes, getting only 34 yards, and Penn State was too, losing 38-7. Next: Minnesota.

3) NEBRASKA (5-0) BEAT BAYLOR, 49-21

The Cornhuskers, having cleared their toughest hurdles in Washington and Kansas State the previous two weeks, figure to be the coast of college football until the bowl season rolls around. Next: Texas Tech.

4) FLORIDA STATE (5-0) BEAT DUKE, 51-27

They’ve been looking for parity in the ACC ever since the Seminoles came in. Florida State tried to oblige against bottom-dwelling Duke with 20 penalties for 246 yards but the Blue Devils weren’t moved enough by the generosity. Next: Georgia Tech.

5) NORTH CAROLINA (6-0) BEAT WAKE FOREST, 30-12

Tar Heel Coach Mack Brown: “I remember coach [Barry] Switzer saying if you’re not playing perfectly and you’re 6-0 that’s a good thing because there is still that perfect game out there.” Illegal procedure on Brown for quoting Switzer. Next: at N. Carolina St.

5) MICHIGAN (5-0) BEAT NORTHWESTERN, 23-6

The Wildcats had been a Rose thorn in the side of the Wolverines, beating them the last two years with late fourth-quarter scores. This year, Brian Griese has blossomed into the efficient quarterback that his dad was. Next: Iowa.

7) OHIO STATE (5-1) LOST TO PENN STATE, 31-27

Well, at least the Buckeyes didn’t wait until it played Michigan to see an unbeaten season go up in smoke. And, when the Big Ten smoke clears, the Ohio State could still be in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Next: Indiana.

8) AUBURN (6-0) BEAT LOUISIANA TECH, 49-13

With white jerseys and blue pants, and the nation’s leading passer, the Bulldogs had a look similar to the Tigers’ next opponent. Dameyune Craig, after his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game, hopes the similarities don’t end there. Next: Florida.

9) TENNESSEE (3-1) BEAT GEORGIA, 38-13

How did Volunteer freshman running back Jamal Lewis--a native of Atlanta--get away from the Bulldogs? Just like the way he slipped through the Georgia defense for 232 yards in 22 carries. Next: at Alabama.

10) WASHINGTON (4-1) BEAT CALIFORNIA, 30-3

Just like bad habits are hard to break, it’s nice to hold on to a good thing. The Bears are that good thing for the Huskies, who have beaten them 15 consecutive times. The road to a Pac-10 title won’t be a cakewalk, however. Next: at Arizona.

11) MICHIGAN STATE (5-0) BEAT INDIANA, 38-6

Sedrick Irvin, just like cousin Michael of the Dallas Cowboys, is a big play kind of guy. He returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown, ran 56 yards for a score, and set up another with a 51-yard gain. Next: at Northwestern.

12) WASHINGTON STATE (5-0) DID NOT PLAY

The Leaf of autumn has turned to touchdowns for the Cougars. Ryan Leaf has 14 touchdown passes and Washington State is averaging 36.4 points. There may not be a team with a snowball’s chance of stopping the Cougars. Next: California.

13) GEORGIA (4-1) LOST TENNESSEE, 38-13

Bulldog Coach Jim Donnan thought that the Volunteers were running it up when Peyton Manning threw for a touchdown with 1:44 left but what was Donnan doing with reserves out on the field in a 31-13 game? Next: at Vanderbilt.

14) LSU (5-1) BEAT FLORIDA, 28-21

That cry of “Yes!” after the Tigers defeated the Gators wasn’t from Marv Albert, rather the fraternity of coaches whose teams Steve Spurrier has run up the score against. LSU and Coach Gary DiNardo were 56-13 victims last year. Next: Mississippi.

15) TEXAS A&M; (5-0) BEAT IOWA STATE, 56-17

Yes Sirr-ee, that was quite an effort. Sirr Parker scored on an 80-yard run and a 78-yard kickoff return. Of course, the Aggies were only playing the school with the nation’s longest losing streak. Next: at Kansas State.

16) STANFORD (4-2) LOST TO ARIZONA, 28-22

Just when the Cardinal seemed to have everything under control--except its marching band--it took a step backward at Tucson. Looks like Stanford will playing in a minor-bowl key. Next: Arizona State.

17) IOWA (4-1) DID NOT PLAY

It will be extension courses at Bristol U. for the Hawkeyes if they aren’t prepared for Michigan. Tavian Banks will try to stay at the head of the NCAA rushing class against a well-schooled Wolverine defense. Next: at Michigan.

18) UCLA (4-2) BEAT OREGON, 39-31

The Bruins were seeing their Pac-10 championship hopes head south for the winter against the Ducks in Eugene, Ore., until quarterback Cade McNown took charge and rallied them from a 21-10 deficit. Next: Oregon State.

19) AIR FORCE (7-0) BEAT NAVY, 10-7

Where are Falcon Coach Fisher DeBerry’s priorities? “We in position to reclaim our most prized possession,” said Fisher, referring to the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, not an Alliance Bowl bid. Next: Fresno State.

20) OKLAHOMA STATE (6-0) BEAT COLORADO, 33-29

What’s gotten into the Cowboys? Was Barry Sanders granted an extra year of eligibility? Well, Oklahoma State is 6-0 for the first time since 1945 and has only one ranked opponent left--Nov. 1 at Texas A&M.; Next: Oct. 25, Missouri.

21) BYU (3-2) LOST TO RICE, 27-14

Somehow, the Cougars have misplaced their usually high-powered offense and now they’re about to lose their place in the Top 25. The BYU offense struck for nine yards in the second half. Next: Hawaii

22) KANSAS STATE (4-1) BEAT MISSOURI, 41-11

The only consolation for the Wildcats after getting pounded by Nebraska last week was that they knew Missouri was their next opponent. The Tigers have lost five in a row to Kansas State and their last 19 to ranked teams. Next: Texas A&M;

23) VIRGINIA TECH (5-1) BEAT BOSTON COLLEGE, 17-7

The Hokies played as if they were still in shock from last week’s loss to Miami of Ohio. The fact that Virginia Tech won this game sleepwalking shows the shape that Big East football is in. Next: at West Virginia, Oct. 25.

24) COLORADO (2-3) LOST TO OKLAHOMA STATE, 33-29

Wonder what they think of Buffalo Boy Rick Neuheisel in Boulder now? The taste of a rocky season figures to linger for Colorado, which will tumble out of the Top 25 for the first time in 143 weeks--a streak that was second to Nebraska. Next: Kansas.

25) GEORGIA TECH (4-1) BEAT N. CAROLINA ST., 27-17

This was a matchup of future Notre Dame coaching candidates--George O’Leary of Georgia Tech and Mike O’Cain of North Carolina State. By the way, how did the Yellowjackets lose to the Irish Dame back on Sept. 6? Next: at Florida State.