TOP 25 AT A GLANCE

1) NEBRASKA (7-0) BEAT KANSAS, 35-0.

The lights went out in the second quarter in a corner of Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan., and the Jayhawk offense didn’t have any juice either, averaging one yard for its 48 plays against the Cornhuskers. Next: Oklahoma.

2) PENN STATE (6-0) DID NOT PLAY.

The Nittany Lions have an extra week to paw over the lackluster 16-15 victory over Big Ten prey Minnesota last Saturday that knocked them off their No. 1 perch for the second time this season. Next: at Northwestern.

3) FLORIDA STATE (7-0) BEAT VIRGINIA, 47-21.

The Seminoles took care of business early with touchdowns on three of their first five plays from scrimmage at Charlottesville, Va., where they suffered their only ACC loss in 45 games two years ago. Next: North Carolina State.

4) NORTH CAROLINA (7-0) DID NOT PLAY.

What team do you suppose the Tar Heels were focused on during the open-week viewing of the Georgia Tech-Florida State film? You can’t blame them for wanting more than a sneak preview for their Nov. 8 foe. Next: at Georgia Tech, Thursday.

5) MICHIGAN (7-0) BEAT MICHIGAN STATE, 23-7.

Spartan Coach Nick Saban on the Wolverine defense: “We had a tough time blocking them when we tried to run the ball and we had a tough time blocking them when we tried to throw it.” Sounds like they got their blocks knocked off. Next: Minnesota.

6) FLORIDA (6-1) DID NOT PLAY.

What does Steve Spurrier do during an open date? Have his first-string offense practice running up the score against the scrubs? Spurrier and the Gators should continue their practice of getting under the opposition’s skin next week. Next: Georgia.

7) WASHINGTON (6-1) BEAT OREGON STATE, 45-17.

The game was tied, 10-10, at halftime at Corvallis when both teams came to their senses. The Huskies scored 35 unanswered points as their massive offensive line created running lanes wider than Interstate 5 for Rashaan Shehee. Next: USC.

8) TENNESSEE (5-1) DID NOT PLAY

With the Volunteers having an open date, Peyton Manning was able to brush up on that Heisman Trophy acceptance speech. But, what’s he going to say when Chicago’s Bad News Bears announce he’s their No. 1 draft choice? Next: South Carolina.

9) OHIO STATE (7-1) BEAT NORTHWESTERN, 49-6.

When Buckeye Coach John Cooper has to go to his bullpen, good things usually happen. Joe Germaine again sparkled in relief of Stanley Jackson, throwing three touchdown passes. Next: at Michigan State.

10) WASHINGTON ST. (7-0) BEAT ARIZONA, 35-34, OT

Will the Cougars--like Penn State--drop in the rankings after a one-point win at home over an inferior opponent? Not likely, though Washington State’s and Ryan Leaf’s chances of falling seem more likely at Tempe, Ariz. Next: at Arizona State.

11) AUBURN (7-1) BEAT ARKANSAS, 26-21.

Is Tiger Coach Terry Bowden’s glass half empty or half full? “In the back of my mind, I kept thinking something bad was going to happen,” said Bowden, whose bad vibes in the close game didn’t carry over to his players. Next: Mississippi State.

12) OKLAHOMA ST. (6-1) LOST TO MISSOURI, 51-50, 2 OT.

The Cowboys were in a position to show that they were worthy of this spot in the rankings but instead showed just how much the Big 12 has slipped. Giving up 51 points to Missouri should be a one-way ticket to oblivion. Next: at Texas A&M.;

13) UCLA (6-2) BEAT CALIFORNIA, 35-17

The Bruins’ win streak reached six games on the strength of their Big Mc Attack as Jim McElroy caught two touchdown passes from Cade McNown and ran for another score on one of Coach Bob Toledo’s gimmick plays. Next: at Stanford.

14) KANSAS STATE (6-1) BEAT OKLAHOMA, 26-7.

Remember when it would have been unthinkable for the Wildcats to beat the Sooners? Well, Kansas State has won the last five games after going 0-22 against Oklahoma.

Next: at Texas Tech.

15) MICHIGAN STATE (5-2) LOST TO MICHIGAN, 23-7.

The Wolverines’ six interceptions were the most since 1984, when they hit a Pick Six against Miami’s Bernie Kosar. Kosar went on to a good NFL career. Todd Schultz’s future might be in “Hogan’s Heroes” remakes. Next: Ohio State.

16) GEORGIA (6-1) BEAT KENTUCKY, 23-13

The Bulldogs got beaten in every statistical category but one--the final score. Kentucky ran 90 plays to Georgia’s 45 and didn’t even punt. Three quick touchdowns are what did the trick for Georgia. Next: at Florida.

17) LSU (5-2) DID NOT PLAY.

In the last three weeks, the Tigers struggled to beat Vanderbilt, stunned then No. 1-ranked Florida, and were surprised by Mississippi. With that pattern, practices must have been good during the open date. Next: at Kentucky.

18) IOWA (5-2) BEAT INDIANA, 62-0.

What can you say that the final score doesn’t? The Hawkeyes had lost two in a row and were ready to take it out on a team that has yet to score a touchdown in October and has lost 20 of its last 21 Big Ten games. Next: Purdue.

19) VIRGINIA TECH (5-2) LOST TO WEST VIRGINIA, 30-17.

The Hokies came into this game averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 246 yards rushing per game but ended up with only 66. Star running back Ken Oxendine had 33 yards in 14 carries.

Next: Alabama Birmingham.

20) TEXAS A&M; (5-2) LOST TO TEXAS TECH, 16-13.

The Red Raiders won it when kicker Tony Rogers’ bank shot with 19 seconds left--a 47-yard field goal that hit the left upright and went through. Another thing the Aggies can bank on is falling out of the Top 25. Next: Oklahoma State.

21) WEST VIRGINIA (6-1) BEAT VIRGINIA TECH, 30-17.

The Mountaineers got the inside track on a Big East championship with three conference games remaining as Amos Zereoue, the nation’s No. 5 rusher, maintained a steady course through the Hokie defense with 153 yards. Next: at Syracuse.

22) PURDUE (6-1) BEAT ILLINOIS, 48-3.

Joe Tiller is the man. The first-year Purdue coach who came from Wyoming has the Boilermakers headed for their first winning season since 1984, when Jim Everett was the quarterback. Purdue finished 7-5 that year. Next: at Iowa.

23) ARIZONA STATE (5-2) DID NOT PLAY.

This Sun Devil team isn’t being confused with the one that came oh-so-close to an unbeaten season last year. But with a 3-1 Pac-10 record, it hasn’t been blown out of Rose Bowl contention. Leaf blowers are standing by. Next: Washington State.

24) TOLEDO (7-0) BEAT BOWLING GREEN, 35-20.

The Rockets, one of major college football’s Magnificent Seven with an unbeaten record, got out of a sling at Bowling Green with Chris Wallace’s school-record five touchdown passes. Next: Miami, Ohio.

25) MISSISSIPPI (4-3) LOST TO ALABAMA, 29-20.

Just as the school’s basketball team did earlier in the year, the Rebel football team lost its first game after a rare post-Sixties appearance in the rankings. Alabama looks like a good candidate to succeed Mississippi at this spot. Next: Arkansas, Nov. 6.