TOP 25: HOW THEY FARED

1. OHIO STATE (8-0) BEAT INDIANA, 38-7

The Buckeyes’ victory does not get the Steve Spurrier Seal of Approval. With the ball at the Indiana one in the final seconds, Ohio State Coach John Cooper elected not to go for a meaningless touchdown. Will the BCS understand? Next: Michigan State.

2. UCLA (7-0) BEAT STANFORD, 28-24

Because being No. 1 in the BCS poll doesn’t amount to a hill of beans right now, the Bruins are smelling the coffee. “We got by, but it’s certainly a wake-up call,” Cade McNown said of the near-spill against the Cardinal.Next: at Oregon State.

3. TENNESSEE (7-0) BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA, 49-14

Peyton who? “I’m not even thinking about Peyton,” said the successor to that Manning fellow, Tee Martin, who was locked into his receivers for an NCAA-record 23 consecutive completions. Next: Alabama Birmingham.

4. KANSAS STATE (8-0) BEAT KANSAS, 54-6

The Jayhawks ran up against the, well, Ballhawks at Lawrence, Kan. “They really fly to the ball,” said running back David Winbush of the Kansas State defense that held him to 19 yards and Kansas to 44. Next: at Baylor.

5. FLORIDA STATE (8-1) BEAT NORTH CAROLINA, 39-13

While former coach Mack Brown is working miracles deep in the heart of Texas, the Tar Heels are showing little heart in a disappointing 3-4 season, though they managed to score their first touchdown in three years against the Seminoles.Next: Virginia.

6. FLORIDA (7-1) BEAT GEORGIA, 38-7

Surprise, surprise. Steve Spurrier, with his team leading 31-7 and 38 seconds left in the game, calls an end-around that results in a touchdown. Ain’t that a kick in the pants, Jim Donnan?Next: at Vanderbilt.

7. NEBRASKA (7-2) LOST TO TEXAS, 20-16

The Longhorns might have something over the Cornhuskers, who had their home win streak ended at 47 games. The last time the teams met in 1996, Texas won, 37-27, and ended Nebraska’s bid for a third national title.Next: at Iowa State.

8. TEXAS A&M; (8-1) BEAT OKLAHOMA STATE, 17-6

The Aggie offense was reeling with the loss of leading rusher Dante Hall and quarterback Randy McCown to shoulder injuries in the first half, but the defense was rocking the Cowboys in the second half, allowing only 54 yards. Next: Oklahoma.

9. WISCONSIN (8-0) DID NOT PLAY

Workhorse Ron Dayne got a well-deserved week off after plowing through rows of Iowa defenders last week. The Badgers will have to plow through Minnesota, Michigan and Penn State to reach its Field of Dreams--an 11-0 record. Next: Minnesota.

10. PENN STATE (6-1) BEAT ILLINOIS, 27-0

The Nittany Lions didn’t have to wait until Sunday to dial long distance against the defensive-backs-are-standing-by Illini. Quarterback Kevin Thompson hooked up three times with Chafie Fields for 115 yards. Next: at Michigan.

11. GEORGIA (6-2) LOST TO FLORIDA, 38-7

Well, Dawg-gone it. Florida has scored touchdowns against Georgia in the final minute of three of their last four meetings . . . while leading by 28, 33, and 24 points. Nothing personal, Jim Donnan. Next: at Auburn (Nov. 14).

12. OREGON (6-2) LOST TO ARIZONA, 38-3

As much support as he gets from USC Coach Paul Hackett, Akili Smith can’t do it all by himself. Down to their fourth-string tailback, the Ducks were grounded in Tucson--getting only 64 yards in 32 carries. Next: Washington.

13. ARIZONA (8-1) BEAT OREGON, 38-3

Is the Wildcats’ Trung Canidate another Bo Jackson in the making? “He always has the ability to hit a home run,” Coach Dick Tomey said. Well, Canidate did go one-up on Mark McGwire with a 71-yard touchdown run. Next: Washington State.

14. ARKANSAS (7-0) BEAT AUBURN, 24-21

They must have brought out the greased pigskin at Auburn as the Razorbacks, who had only eight turnovers before Saturday, lost three fumbles--a figure matched by the bungling Tigers. Next: Mississippi.

15. VIRGINIA (7-1) BEAT WAKE FOREST, 38-17

Cavalier quarterback Aaron Brooks, who said before the game he was better than the Demon Deacons’ Brian Kuklick, completed 16 of 19 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Better than Brian Kuklick? Big deal. Next: at Florida State.

16. NOTRE DAME (6-1) BEAT BAYLOR, 27-3

That was rock ‘em, sock ‘em Irish football as they rushed for 329 yards. Autry Denson socked it to the person who recruited him to Notre Dame--second-year Baylor Coach Tim Roberts--with a career-high 189 yards. Next: at Boston College.

17. SYRACUSE (5-2) BEAT PITTSBURGH, 45-28

Superman or Green Lantern ain’t got nothing on Donovan McNabb, who passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 98 and another score to keep the Orangemen unbeaten in the Big East. Next: at West Virginia.

18. MISSOURI (6-2) BEAT TEXAS TECH, 28-26

It was West-ward Ho for the Tigers at Lubbock, Texas. Tailback Devon West became the first player in 12 games to gain more than 100 yards against the Red Raiders, getting 133 and three touchdowns. Next: Colorado.

19. TULANE (7-0) BEAT SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, 72-20

The Green Wave was in tidal proportion for this one, with quarterback Shawn King personally outgaining the Ragin’ Cajuns by 102 yards. He passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 28. Next: at Memphis.

20. VIRGINIA TECH (7-1) BEAT WEST VIRGINIA, 27-13

With each week, the Hokies’ Oct. 17 loss at home to Temple becomes more puzzling. Virginia Tech resolved matters with the Mountaineers with goal-line stands on consecutive possessions in the third quarter.Next: at Syracuse (Nov. 14).

21. WEST VIRGINIA (4-3) LOST TO VIRGINIA TECH, 27-13

Somebody better throw the Mountaineers a rope because they’re on a free-fall out of the Top 25. Virginia Tech got the drop on West Virginia by returning a blocked punt for the game’s first touchdown. Next: Syracuse.

22. MICHIGAN (6-2) BEAT MINNESOTA, 15-10

It’s a good thing Wolverines have adopted a safety-first attitude because their running game was stuck in reverse on the road with minus-23 yards. Michigan got its third safety in four games for the go-ahead points.Next: Penn State.

23. GEORGIA TECH (6-2) BEAT MARYLAND, 31-14

The Terrapins were playing in Baltimore for the first time since 1991, and maybe the “Homicide” cast can help them find out what happened to their passing game, which netted only 25 yards against the Yellow Jackets.Next: at Clemson (Nov. 14).

24. COLORADO (6-2) DID NOT PLAY

A tough two weeks for Buffaloes Coach Rick Neuheisel. Last Saturday, his usually stout defense took a beating in a 33-17 loss to Kansas. A week later, the former UCLA quarterback lost his NCAA passing efficiency record to Tee Martin. Next: at Missouri.

25. MIAMI (5-2) BEAT BOSTON COLLEGE, 35-17

Watch out UCLA, there’s another Hurricane watch in Miami. The ‘Canes ripped through the Boston College defense for 582 total yards and had 21 points before the Eagles could run eight plays.Next: at Temple (Nov. 14).