TOP 25 / HOW THEY FARED

(1) TENNESSEE (10-0) BEAT KENTUCKY, 59-21

The Volunteers solidified their No. 1 ranking with this victory over an emotionally drained Kentucky team. It will probably be smooth sailing to the SEC championship game against Arkansas or Mississippi State. Next: at Vanderbilt.

(2) KANSAS STATE (11-0) BEAT MISSOURI, 31-25

After struggling past the Tigers at Columbia, Mo., the road to the Fiesta Bowl doesn’t get easier for the Wildcats, who probably need UCLA to lose to Miami on Dec. 5 to move up from No. 3 to No. 2 in the BCS rankings. Next: Texas A&M; (Dec. 5).

(3) UCLA (10-0) BEAT USC, 34-17

How sweet it is: eight consecutive victories over USC. How sweet it isn’t, however, if the Bruins stumble in their rescheduled game against Miami and can’t play for the national championship. Next: at Miami (Dec. 5).

(4) FLORIDA (9-2) LOST TO FLORIDA STATE, 23-12

How sweet it is II: Florida State using a trick play--flanker Peter Warrick’s 43-yard touchdown pass off a reverse--to end Florida’s flea-flickering national championship hopes. Steve Spurrier is 0-4-1 at Tallahassee. Next: TBA.

(5) FLORIDA STATE (11-1) BEAT FLORIDA, 23-12

Amazingly, the Seminoles are still in the national championship picture with what amounts to a third-string quarterback in Marcus Outzen, who threw the first touchdown pass of his career against the Gators. Next: TBA.

(6) TEXAS A&M; (10-1) DID NOT PLAY

The Aggies, winners of 10 in a row, are preparing for their regular-season finale against Texas and a meeting with Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference championship game. Texas A&M;’s loss was to No. 5 Florida State.Next: at Texas (Friday).

(7) OHIO STATE (10-1) BEAT MICHIGAN, 31-16

Buckeye Coach John Cooper was not relieved after getting the Wolverines and Ohio State boosters off his back. “I don’t feel like I’ve lost a game, and I’m not going to take credit for winning this game today,” Cooper said. Next: TBA.

(8) ARIZONA (10-1) DID NOT PLAY

The Wildcats have had the quietest 10-1 season in memory and have to wait around to see if UCLA goes to the Fiesta Bowl or stays home and plays in the Rose Bowl. Next: Arizona State (Friday).

(9) ARKANSAS (8-2) LOST TO MISSISSIPPI ST., 22-21

In two weeks, the Razorbacks have gone from the prospect of an unbeaten season to the possibility of not winning the SEC West. Mississippi State can advance to the SEC title game with a win Thursday over Mississippi. Next: LSU (Friday).

(10) NOTRE DAME (9-1) BEAT LOUISIANA STATE, 39-36

Jarious Jackson had never been confused with Joe Montana until this game. Jackson passed for 276 yards and led the Irish on a late fourth-quarter drive which he capped with a game-winning touchdown pass.Next: at USC.

(11) MICHIGAN (8-3) LOST TO OHIO STATE, 31-16

The Wolverines’ running game, highly effective against Wisconsin last week, came to a screeching halt against Ohio State with four net yards in 28 carries. As for a Rose Bowl berth and Michigan’s next opponent, say Aloha.Next: at Hawaii.

(12) TULANE (10-0) BEAT HOUSTON, 48-20

We know what Houston’s Kim Helton thinks of UCLA and Cade McNown, but what about the Green Wave’s Shaun King, who passed for five touchdowns. “I don’t think they could win five games without him,” said Helton. Next: Louisiana Tech (Thurs.).

(13) WISCONSIN (10-1) BEAT PENN STATE, 24-3

The Badgers share the Big Ten championship with Michigan and Ohio State but earn the Rose Bowl berth on a tiebreaker. Wisconsin beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl in 1994 and could play the Bruins if their game goes south in Miami. Next: Rose Bowl.

(14) GEORGIA (8-2) BEAT MISSISSIPPI, 24-17

Olandis Gary made some noise with 132 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but the Georgia defense made the big plays, stopping Mississippi twice on fourth-down plays at the one.Next: Georgia Tech.

(15) OREGON (8-3) LOST TO OREGON STATE, 44-41 (2 OT)

The Ducks were hoping for a Holiday Bowl appearance in Akili Smith’s hometown of San Diego. But to get there, they have to hope that UCLA gets a berth in the Fiesta Bowl and that everything comes up roses for Arizona. Next: TBA.

(16) PENN STATE (7-3) LOST TO WISCONSIN, 24-3

A 7-3 record might be a big deal at most schools but not at Joe Pa U. Closer examination shows the Nittany Lion season is even worse as they were outscored, 79-12, by the Big Three of Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Next: Michigan State.

(17) NEBRASKA (8-3) DID NOT PLAY

Another school where three losses aren’t acceptable. Remember the heat that quarterback Scott Frost took from Cornhusker fans after replacing Tommie Frazier? Frost looks like Brett Favre when compared to Bobby Newcombe. Next: Colorado

(18) VIRGINIA (8-2) DID NOT PLAY

Defense let the Cavaliers down when it mattered most in losses to Georgia Tech and Florida, but next Saturday, the offense will be put to the test against a Virginia Tech defense that intercepted six passes against Rutgers. Next: at Virginia Tech.

(19) MISSOURI (7-4) LOST TO KANSAS STATE, 31-25

The hard-luck Tigers threw a big-time scare into Kansas State’s national championship hopes, just as they did to Nebraska last season. Missouri has lost 35 consecutive games to top 10 teams in the last 17 years. Next: TBA.

(20) AIR FORCE (10-1) BEAT RICE, 22-16

Camouflage-clad cadets tore down a goal post after the Air Force victory. One of them was probably Cale Bonds, who disguised himself as Blane Morgan and effectively ran the option offense. Next: TBA.

(21) GEORGIA TECH (8-2) BEAT WAKE FOREST, 63-35

The Yellow Jackets received a bid from the Gator Bowl after their highest-scoring game since 1921--against Davidson, not Cumberland--but more impressive was that they tied Florida State for the ACC championship. Next: at Georgia.

(22) MIAMI (7-2) BEAT PITTSBURGH, 38-10

The Hurricanes are looking forward to spoiling UCLA’s national championship bid, but they have Big East business to take care of against Syracuse, with the winner earning the conference championship. Next: at Syracuse.

(23) VIRGINIA TECH (8-2) BEAT RUTGERS, 47-7

Good thing Scarlet Knight Coach Terry Shea got a contract extension before this game as the Hokies returned two of their six interceptions for touchdowns and moved the football at will on offense. Next: Virginia.

(24) SYRACUSE (7-3) BEAT TEMPLE, 38-7

With Donovan McNabb at quarterback, the Orangemen’s season should have been better than 7-3. In fact, a loss to Miami next week in what amounts to a Big East championship game would put Syracuse in the Gator Bowl. Next: Miami.

(25) TEXAS (7-3) DID NOT PLAY

A national television audience will have a chance to determine if the Longhorns’ Ricky Williams is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate when he runs up against the Aggies. Next: Texas A&M; (Friday).