Top 25 / How They Fared

1. OHIO STATE (8-1) LOST TO MICHIGAN STATE, 28-24

This time it was the other Michigan school, Michigan State, that ruined the Buckeyes’ hopes of an undefeated season. Ohio State led, 24-9, then had the roof fall in against the 5-4 Spartans. Next: at Iowa.

2. TENNESSEE (8-0) BEAT ALA.-BIRMINGHAM, 37-13

The Volunteers’ win set up a showdown next week against Arkansas and could vault them into the top spot in the BCS poll. After the Arkansas game, Tennessee plays Kentucky and Vanderbilt to close the regular season. Next: Arkansas.

3. UCLA (8-0) BEAT OREGON STATE, 41-34

The Bruins had their hands full for a second consecutive week, needing a touchdown pass in the final minute to defeat the Beavers. UCLA’s ranking in the BCS poll could take another beating this week. Next: at Washington.

4. KANSAS STATE (9-0) BEAT BAYLOR, 49-6

Ten years ago, the Wildcats were struggling through a winless season. Now they are preparing for Nebraska, the biggest game in school history. A win could put the Wildcats in position to play for a national title. Next: Nebraska.

5. FLORIDA (8-1) BEAT VANDERBILT, 45-13

It was another impressive win for the Gaters, but Coach Steve Spurrier was not impressed with his team’s offense against a Commodore defense that was ranked last in the Southeastern Conference entering the game. Next: South Carolina.

6. FLORIDA STATE (9-1) BEAT VIRGINIA, 45-14

The Seminoles all but wrapped up their seventh consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference title. All Florida State needs to do next week is defeat Wake Forest to win the title. Then comes the showdown against Florida. Next: at Wake Forest.

7. TEXAS A&M; (8-1) PLAYED OKLAHOMA

The Aggies, who lost their season opener against Florida State, have been impressive in recent weeks, defeating the likes of Nebraska and Texas Tech. The Aggies close against Missouri and Texas. Next: Missouri.

8. WISCONSIN (9-0) BEAT MINNESOTA, 26-7

Get your Rose Bowl tickets early. The Badgers may be coming to Pasadena. How good is Wisconsin? The college football world should find out the next two weeks, as the Badgers play at Michigan and Penn State at Madison. Next: at Michigan.

9. PENN STATE (6-2) LOST TO MICHIGAN, 27-0

In what had to be one of Joe Paterno’s most humbling defeats, the Nittany Lions showed little offense in a loss to the Wolverines. Penn State closes with Northwestern, Wisconsin and Michigan State. Next: Northwestern.

10. ARIZONA (8-1) PLAYED WASHINGTON STATE

The Wildcats were looking to keep their hopes alive for a first-ever trip to the Rose Bowl. Arizona, which has lost to only UCLA, closes against California and Arizona State. Next: at California.

11. ARKANSAS (8-0) BEAT MISSISSIPPI, 34-0

It was possibly the Razorbacks’ most impressive victory in a surprising season. The shutout was Arkansas’ first shutout since beating Rice, 20-0, on Nov. 23, 1991. Now comes the showdown at Knoxville. Next: at Tennessee.

12. VIRGINIA (7-2) LOST TO FLORIDA STATE, 45-14

After closing to 21-14 at Tallahassee, the Cavaliers ran out of offense against the Seminoles. Quarterback Aaron Brooks struggled, passing for only 96 yards and throwing three interceptions. Next: North Carolina.

13. NOTRE DAME (7-1) BEAT BOSTON COLLEGE, 31-26

The Fighting Irish appeared primed for an upset, but a defensive stand in the final minute kept Notre Dame on track for a major bowl bid. After its game against Navy, Notre Dame plays Louisiana State at home and then at USC. Next: at Navy.

14. NEBRASKA (8-2) BEAT IOWA STATE, 42-7

After struggling two weeks ago to defeat Missouri and having their 47-game home win streak snapped last week earlier by Texas, the Cornhuskers bounced back impressively with a road victory. Next: at Kansas State.

15. SYRACUSE (5-2) PLAYED WEST VIRGINIA

The Orangemen were looking to finish strong in hopes of landing a spot in a major bowl and boosting the Heisman Trophy chances of quarterback Donovan McNabb. Next: Virginia Tech.

16. TULANE (8-0) BEAT MEMPHIS, 41-31

The Green Wave’s victory was well in hand before a fourth-quarter charge by the Tigers, who trailed, 41-10, before rallying. “I definitely say we let up,” Tulane Coach Tommy Bowden said. Next: at Army.

17. VIRGINIA TECH (7-1) DID NOT PLAY

The defensive-minded Hokies, who defeated West Virginia, 27-13, last week, have the week off to prepare for their Big East showdown against Syracuse. They close with home games against Rutgers and Virginia. Next: at Syracuse.

18. MISSOURI (7-2) BEAT COLORADO, 38-14

The Tigers charged out quickly against the Buffaloes and never looked back. “We got our butts kicked,” said Colorado Coach Rick Neuheisel, whose team has lost two in a row to Missouri. Next: at Texas A&M.;

19. GEORGIA (6-2) DID NOT PLAY

The Bulldogs had to week to recover form a stinging 38-7 loss to Florida. Georgia, with a road game against Auburn and home games against Mississippi and Georgia Tech, needs a strong finish to secure a bid to a major bowl. Next: at Auburn.

20. TEXAS (7-2) BEAT OKLAHOMA STATE, 37-34

It wasn’t a Heisman-like day for Ricky Williams, who ran for only 90 yards, but he came up big on the Longhorns’ final drive to set up Kris Stockton’s 29-yard field goal with three seconds left that won the game. Next: at Texas Tech.

21. OREGON (7-2) BEAT WASHINGTON, 27-22

Akili Smith took advantage of the questionable Washington secondary, passing for 442 yards in the victory, including 242 of those yards to Tony Hartley. Smith tied the school record for touchdown passes (22) in a season. Next: Arizona State.

22. MICHIGAN (7-2) BEAT PENN STATE, 27-0

It was easily the Wolverines’ best game of the season. “I think you saw a Michigan team that was pretty fired up out there,” quarterback Tom Brady said. Now come the showdowns against Wisconsin and Ohio State. Next: Wisconsin.

23. GEORGIA TECH (6-2) DID NOT PLAY

The Yellow Jackets rebounded from their disheartening loss to Florida State by winning at Maryland, 31-14. After Thursday’s game at Clemson, they play host to Wake Forest and close with a road game at Georgia. Next: at Clemson (Thursday).

24. MIAMI (5-2) DID NOT PLAY

It’s a week of rest for the resurgent Hurricanes, who should be favored in two of their next three games. After traveling to Temple, they play host to Pittsburgh and then have a road game against Syracuse. Next: at Temple.

25. AIR FORCE (8-1) DEFEATED ARMY, 35-7

The Commander in Chief’s trophy once again belongs to the high-flying Falcons, who close with games against Wyoming and Rice and should be favored to complete a 10-victory regular season. Next: at Wyoming.