TOP 25 AT A GLANCE

PENN STATE (2-0) BEAT TEMPLE, 52-10

There was grumbling around that Coach Joe Paterno went to the reserves too early last Saturday in a 17-point victory over Pittsburgh. The natives shouldn’t be too restless with this 42-point victory.

Next: At Louisville

FLORIDA (1-0) DID NOT PLAY

The Gators’ first-string offense probably got more resistance from practice scrubs than it did from last week’s opponent, Central Michigan. Let’s see how much Fun ‘N’ Gun there is next week.

Next: Tennessee

WASHINGTON (2-0) BEAT SAN DIEGO STATE, 36-3

The Huskies tearfully bid adieu to the WAC after defeating two of the conference’s finest by a combined score of 78-23. No. 1 in the Huskies’ hearts, however, is the chance to play the Big 12’s finest in Seattle.

Next: Nebraska

TENNESSEE (2-0) DID NOT PLAY

Well, that closer-than-expected victory over UCLA last week is certainly looking better. The only other team besides Florida that has Peyton Manning’s number appears to be the New Orleans Saints.

Next: At Florida

FLORIDA ST. (2-0) BEAT MARYLAND, 50-7

The Seminoles, using three quarterbacks, threw 57 times, completing 37 for 461 yards and four touchdowns. Big deal. Ohio U. needed only three passes to defeat the Terrible Terrapins last week.

Next: At Clemson

NEBRASKA (2-0) BEAT CENTRAL FLORIDA, 38-24

The Cornhuskers almost made of folk hero out of Knight quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who passed for 318 yards. They’ll be Sleepless in Lincoln this week trying to figure out how to defend Washington’s Brock Huard.

Next: At Washington

NO. CAROLINA (1-0) BEAT NO. 17 STANFORD, 28-17

The Tar Heels get an Oscar Award-winning performance from its backup quarterback. Oscar Davenport, splitting time with ineffective starter Chris Keldorf, to keep the ‘Heels clicking.

Next: At Maryland

COLORADO (1-1) LOST TO NO. 14 MICHIGAN, 27-3

The Buffaloes should have went for the Hail Mary on their first play if this was all the offense they were going to generate. John Hessler completed only 15 of 40 passes for 141 yards and threw four interceptions.

Next: Wyoming

OHIO STATE (2-0) BEAT BOWLING GREEN, 44-13

This was more like bowling for green backs. The Mid-American Falcons took the money ($350,000) and ran--for 36 yards in 34 carries. The Buckeyes haven’t lost to another Ohio school since 1921.

Next: Arizona

NO. 10 LSU (2-0) BEAT MISSISSIPPI ST., 24-9

Yes, the Tigers have No-Faulk insurance. Cecil Collins and Rondell Mealey filled in nicely for the injured Kevin Faulk, the SEC’s rushing leader last season. Collins rushed for 172 yards, and Mealy had 85.

Next: Auburn

TEXAS (1-1) LOST TO UCLA, 66-3

What was that? The Longhorn offense loses James Brown and all their soul; the secondary breaks down more than the R & B Godfather. No choruses of “I Feel Good” here.

Next: At Rice

NOTRE DAME (1-1) LOST TO PURDUE, 28-17

Was that some kind of diabolical plot, the Boilermakers letting go of Jim Colletto as coach and having him wind up as the Irish’s offensive coordinator. Ron Powlus fumbles away Heisman Trophy for a fourth time.

Next: Michigan State

MIAMI (1-1) LOST TO NO. 24 ARIZONA ST., 23-12

Sun Devils should have sent a limo to pick up the punchless Hurricanes. Miami scored its only touchdown on a fumble return. That’s OK. Dan Marino hasn’t thrown for a touchdown this season either.

Next: Thurs. at Pittsburgh

MICHIGAN (1-0) BEAT NO. 8 COLORADO, 27-3

The Wolverines regained some of the Big Ten’s lost respect with this runaway victory. Brian Griese might be a chip off the old block after all. He completed 21 of 28 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

Next: Baylor

ALABAMA (2-0) BEAT VANDERBILT, 20-0

The Crimson Tide ran its winning streak against Commodores to 13 on Thursday night. Alabama hasn’t lost to Vanderbilt since Ray Perkins was coach. Alabama legislature is still investigating that loss.

Next: Arkansas

AUBURN (2-0) BEAT MISSISSIPPI, 19-9

A Tiger tradition--”Just win ugly”--was upheld. There’s a new wrinkle in the Auburn scheme: defense. The Tigers held an SEC opponent without a touchdown for the first time since 1990.

Next: At No. 10 LSU

STANFORD (1-1) TO N0. 7 N. CAROLINA, 28-17

The Cardinal found out why the Tar Heels arguably have the best defense in college football, getting only 234 yards--191 of that passing. That used to be a half’s worth of work for John Elway.

Next: At Oregon State

IOWA (2-0) BEAT TULSA, 54-16

Sedrick who? Tavian Banks runs for a school-record 314 yards for the Hawkeyes, who don’t seem to miss career rushing leader Sedrick Shaw--now a pine-time performer with the New England Patriots behind Curtis Martin.

Next: At Iowa State

CLEMSON (2-0) BEAT NORTH CAROLINA ST., 19-17

Call it a passing of the guard. The Tigers throw for 250 yards in consecutive games for the first time in school history. Nealon Greene completed 20 of 32 passes for 250 yards in this one.

Next: Florida State

KANSAS STATE (2-0) BEAT OHIO U., 23-20

The Wildcats’ offense sputtered in the second half, enabling the Bobcats to get back in the game and come close to their first-ever victory over a ranked team. An interception with 3:47 left killed their chances.

Next: Bowling Green

MICHIGAN STATE (2-0) BEAT MEMPHIS, 51-21

The Spartans haven’t put too much credence in consecutive lopsided victories to start the season. “You don’t know how good you are until you play a great team,” said linebacker Ike Reese. That won’t be . . .

Next: At Notre Dame

VIRGINIA TECH (2-0) BEAT SYRACUSE, 31-3

Syracuse ruined the Hokies’ chances for an unbeaten season last year when they battered them, 52-21. Virginia Tech got even, as Syracuse still hasn’t recovered from overtime loss to North Carolina State.

Next: At Temple

USC (0-2) LOST TO WASHINGTON STATE, 28-21

The Trojans are 0-2 for the first time since they lost their first three games in 1960. USC running backs may need to take courses on negative amortization because they’re getting close to that with 0.9 yards a carry.

Next: At California

ARIZONA STATE (2-0) BEAT NO. 13 MIAMI, 23-12

Ryan “The Lyan” Kealy. Okay, it doesn’t have to the same ring to it as Jake “The Snake” Plummer but the Sun Devils’ new quarterback was blowing more hot than cold against the Hurricanes.

Next: Brigham Young

COLORADO STATE (2-0) BEAT UTAH STATE, 35-24

Ram Coach Sonny Lubick couldn’t believe his team was still in the top 25 after last week’s loss to Colorado. “Maybe they saw the halftime score and then saw it wasn’t a major blowout,” said Lubick.

Next: Air Force