TOP 25: HOW THEY FARED

OHIO STATE (2-0) BEAT TOLEDO, 49-0

The Buckeyes scored early and often against the outclassed Rockets, rolling up a 42-0 halftime lead. “They’re loaded,” said Toledo Coach Gary Pinkel, whose program got a $350,000 payday to go with the beating.Next: Missouri.

FLORIDA STATE (1-1) LOST TO N.C. STATE, 24-7

The Seminoles were 25-point favorites against the Wolfpack, but lost for only the second time in 49 Atlantic Coast Conference games. Florida State will probably have to win the rest of its games to contend for the national title.Next: Duke.

FLORIDA (2-0) BEAT NW LOUISIANA, 42-10

It’s time for the Gators to get out the ladder, as they will move up a rung to No. 2 after the Seminoles’ stunning loss. Florida has won 23 games in a row at home, but will have its hands full on the road this week.Next: at Tennessee.

NEBRASKA (3-0) BEAT CALIFORNIA, 24-3

The Cornhuskers have not been impressive in their wins, but are undefeated and have a week off to prepare a showdown against Washington. Quarterback Bobby Newcombe is expected back for that game. Next: Washington (Sept. 26).

KANSAS STATE (2-0) BEAT N. ILLINOIS, 73-7

The Wildcats used to lose by 66 points, but now they are routinely running up big point totals. In two games, Kansas State has outscored its opponents, 139-7. The Wildcats should add to those numbers next Saturday.Next: Texas.

UCLA (1-0) BEAT TEXAS, 49-31

Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap probably said it best: “This one goes to 11,” as in the Bruins’ win streak. UCLA charged to a 35-3 lead and was never threatened in getting Cade McNown’s Heisman campaign off to a rousing start.Next: at Houston.

LOUISIANA ST. (1-0) BEAT ARKANSAS ST., 42-6

Despite the score, it was anything but a sparkling opener for the Tigers, whose opponent lost, 50-0, last season to then-No. 14 Virginia Tech, the last ranked team it played. The Tigers fumbled three times and lost one.Next: at Auburn

TENNESSEE (1-0) DID NOT PLAY

The Volunteers had the day off and should gain ground in the polls because their victory over Syracuse looks all the more impressive. Coach Phillip Fulmer says Tennessee will be Team Creatine no more because of cramping problems.Next: Florida.

PENN STATE (2-0) BEAT BOWLING GREEN, 48-3

It was business as usual in Happy Valley, as Joe Paterno got his 300th victory and celebrated with a pasta party for 60. This scene should continue into the next millennium, as Paterno wants to coach at least four more years.Next: at Pittsburgh.

NOTRE DAME (1-1) LOST TO MICHIGAN STATE, 45-23

The Fighting Irish never knew what hit them at East Lansing, Mich. Bill Burke passed for 209 yards and Sedrick Irvin ran for 119 yards as the Spartans raced to a 42-3 halftime lead.Next: Purdue (Sept. 26).

WASHINGTON (1-0) DID NOT PLAY

The Huskies took a coffee break and recovered from their thrilling 42-38 victory at Arizona State. After playing its home opener next Saturday, Washington travels to Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 26 and plays Nebraska.Next: Brigham Young.

VIRGINIA (2-0) BEAT MARYLAND, 31-19

After an impressive victory at Auburn to open the season, the Cavaliers had their hands full with the Terrapins and had to rally for the victory. Virginia could conceivably be undefeated entering its Nov. 7 game at Florida State.Next: Clemson.

MICHIGAN (0-2) LOST TO SYRACUSE, 38-28

The bloom is off the Rose Bowl win after the Wolverines lost their second game in a row. Michigan became the first defending national champion to lose its first two games since Penn State started 0-3 in 1983.Next: Eastern Michigan.

ARIZONA STATE (0-2) LOST TO BRIGHAM YOUNG, 26-6

The Sun Devils entered the season with national championship aspirations, but have lost their first two games for the first time since 1979 and back-to-back games for the first time since 1995. Next: North Texas.

GEORGIA (2-0) BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA, 17-3

The Bulldogs won at Columbia, S.C., behind a freshman quarterback, Quincy Carter, and a bend-but-don’t-break defense. After returning home to play Wyoming, Georgia has an off-week and then travels to Louisiana State.Next: Wyoming.

COLORADO (2-0) BEAT FRESNO STATE 29-21

The Buffaloes were 21 1/2-point favorites over the Bulldogs, but trailed, 14-3, in the first half before rallying. Colorado should be undefeated entering its Oct. 10 game against Kansas State at Boulder, Colo.Next: Utah State.’

WISCONSIN (2-0) BEAT OHIO, 45-0

The Badgers unveiled a slimmed-down Ron Dayne, and he ran over the Bobcats for three touchdowns and closed in on Billy Marek’s school rushing record. Wisconsin’s defense limited Ohio to only 65 yards rushing.Next: Nevada Las Vegas.

TEXAS A&M; (1-1) BEAT LOUISIANA TECH, 28-7

After losing their opener against Florida State, the Aggies were up to the challenge against the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech’s Tim Rattay and Troy Edwards were held in check in wet conditions at College Station, Texas.Next: Southern Mississippi.

SYRACUSE (1-1) BEAT MICHIGAN, 38-28

With a little bit of luck, the Orangemen would be 2-0. Instead, they erased memories of a tough 34-33 loss at home to Tennessee with an impressive victory at Ann Arbor, Mich., before the largest crowd in college football history.Next: Rutgers.

WEST VIRGINIA (0-1) DID NOT PLAY

The Mountaineers are still licking their wounds after a bruising loss to No. 1 Ohio State in their opener. The good news is that West Virginia should rebound because it plays a relatively easy schedule.Next: Maryland.

ARIZONA (2-0) BEAT STANFORD, 31-14

After the Cardinal took a 7-0 lead, the Wildcats scored 24 points in a row and cruised to victory. The Wildcats could be undefeated entering their Oct. 3 game against Washington, a week after the Huskies play Nebraska.Next: Iowa.

USC (2-0) BEAT SAN DIEGO STATE, 35-6

R. Jay Soward returned from a one-game academic suspension and scored three touchdowns to lead the Trojans. USC must be careful not to look past its Pacific 10 opener and to its game against Florida State.Next: Oregon State.

TEXAS (1-1) LOST TO UCLA, 49-31

The Longhorns will fall from the rankings. Texas must shore up its defense, which gave up 36 points to New Mexico State and 49 to UCLA. Next up is Kansas State, which has scored 139 points in two games.Next: at Kansas State.

OREGON (2-0) BEAT TEXAS EL PASO, 33-26

Maybe the Ducks spent Friday night in Juarez because they didn’t resemble the team that dismantled Michigan State, 48-14, the week before. Oregon had to score 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory.Next: San Jose State.

MISSOURI (2-0) BEAT KANSAS, 41-23

Coach Larry Smith celebrated his 59th birthday with a victory over the Jayhawks, but the competition gets considerably more challenging this week, as the Tigers play the No. 1-ranked team.Next: at Ohio State.