TOP 25 / HOW THEY FARED

1. OHIO STATE (3-0) BEAT MISSOURI, 35-14

It took a while for the Buckeyes to show the Tigers why they’re No. 1. Down by one point at halftime, Ohio State shut down Missouri’s Corby Jones-fueled option attack and scored 22 unanswered points in the second half. Next: Penn St. (Oct. 3).

2. FLORIDA (2-1) LOST TO TENNESSEE, 20-17 (OT)

Steve Spurrier must be wondering if Archie Manning has any other sons he can send to Tennessee. Peyton Manning couldn’t beat the Gators in his four years as Volunteer quarterback. Next: Kentucky.

3. NEBRASKA (3-0) DID NOT PLAY

It’s called creative scheduling. The Cornhuskers had the week off, giving them two weeks to prepare for Washington. Quarterback Bobby Newcombe, sidelined because of injury last week, is expected to return.Next: Washington.

4. UCLA (2-0) BEAT HOUSTON, 42-24

It’s Skip to my Lewis my Bruins. Jermaine Lewis, taking over at tailback for Skip Hicks, scored four touchdowns against the Cougars. Hicks had 26 touchdowns last season; Lewis is on a pace that would give him 33. Next: at Miami.

5. KANSAS STATE (3-0) BEAT TEXAS, 48-7

No 65-yard field goal on the last play of the first half with a 49-point lead for the Run-It-Up-Cats this week. Of course, a field goal is an insult against the bend-and-always-break Longhorn defense, which has given up 19 touchdowns. Next: NE Louisiana.

6. TENNESSEE (2-0) BEAT FLORIDA, 20-17 (OT)

The Volunteers aren’t getting Peyton Manning passing numbers from their new quarterback, but this result against the Gators suits them to a “Tee.” Kicker Jeff Hall is also 2-for-2 in game-winning field goals.Next: Houston.

7. LOUISIANA STATE (2-0) BEAT AUBURN, 31-19

Kevin Faulk was held under 100 yards rushing for the first time in six games dating to last season--getting 88 yards in 21 carries--but made his one reception count for a 21-yard touchdown. Next: Idaho.

8. PENN STATE (3-0) BEAT PITTSBURGH, 20-13

These state rivals didn’t play from 1993-1996 after the Nittany Lions pounded the Panthers, 57-13. The rest must have done the Panthers good--they’ve only lost by a total of 24 points the last two years. Next: at Ohio State (Oct. 3).

9. WASHINGTON (2-0) BEAT BRIGHAM YOUNG, 20-10

The Huskies did what another Pac-10 team, Arizona State, couldn’t do last week against the Cougars--keep Ronney Jenkins from running wild. Jenkins had 36 yards rushing--135 less than he had against the Sun Devils. Next: Nebraska.

10. VIRGINIA (3-0) BEAT CLEMSON, 20-18

The Cavaliers, who won on Todd Braverman’s field goal with 49 seconds left, have defeated the Tigers five times in the 1990s after losing 26 consecutive games in the series before that. Next: at Duke.

11. FLORIDA STATE (2-1) BEAT DUKE, 62-13

The Seminoles, who suffered only their second ACC loss in 49 games to North Carolina State last week, returned to their dominant ways against the Blue Devils, who managed to lead 7-0 after one quarter. Next: USC.

12. GEORGIA (3-0) BEAT WYOMING, 16-9

That’s why Bailey is a Champ: The Bulldogs clawed their way past the 18-point underdog Cowboys as two-way standout Champ Bailey turned a short pass into a long touchdown and made a one-handed interception. Next: at LSU (Oct. 3).

13. SYRACUSE (2-1) BEAT RUTGERS, 70-14

Attention Bill Parcells: The Orangemen’s Donovan McNabb threw his 61st touchdown pass to tie Glenn Foley’s Big East career record. Roger Maris’ offspring will not attend McNabb’s next game. Next: at North Carolina State (Oct. 1).

14. WISCONSIN (3-0) BEAT NEVADA LAS VEGAS, 52-7

Ron Dayne becomes the Badgers’ career rushing leader with 3,785 yards, breaking Billy Marek’s 23-year-old record. Dayne’s effort to break the record wasn’t exactly a run to glory, a two-yard gain in which he was stopped at the 1.Next: Northwestern.

15. COLORADO (3-0) BEAT UTAH STATE, 25-6

Buffalo quarterback Mike Moschetti now has a tough-guy image to go with a tough-guy name. Playing with torn rib cartilage, he was sacked eight times but still threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Next: Baylor.

16. ARIZONA (3-0) DEFEATED IOWA, 35-11

The Wildcats scored in every quarter to methodically put away the Hawkeyes. A victory over San Diego State next week would make Arizona 4-0 entering an Oct. 3 game against Washington at Seattle.Next: at San Diego State (Thursday).

17. TEXAS A&M; (2-1) BEAT SOUTHERN MISS., 24-6

Aggie running back Dante Hall, who didn’t start because of back spasms, made up for lost time with a 44-yard touchdown run on his second play late in the first half. Hall broke four tackles and sidestepped a defender on the run. Next: North Texas.

18. USC (3-0) BEAT OREGON STATE, 40-20

The final score was misleading as the Trojans scored 17 points in the final 2:11. Chad Morton had a 12-yard touchdown run for the decisive score with 1:27 left after USC held Oregon State on downs.Next: at Florida State.

19. WEST VIRGINIA (1-1) BEAT MARYLAND, 42-20

Amos Zereoue, the nation’s third-leading rusher last season, was held to 77 yards in the Moutaineers’ season-opening loss to Ohio State but had 91 of his 135 yards by halftime against the Terrapins. Next: Tulsa.

20. N. CAROLINA ST. (2-1) LOST TO BAYLOR, 33-30

The magic ran out for the Wolfpack, which had a field goal blocked with four seconds left. North Carolina State had stunned then-No. 2 Florida State last week and came back from a 17-point deficit to defeat Ohio in its opener.Next: Syracuse (Oct. 1).

21. MISSOURI (2-1) LOST TO OHIO STATE, 35-14

It was back to reality for Tiger running back Devin West, who had a school-record 319 yards rushing against Kansas last week and 233 less against the Buckeyes. Next: Northwestern (La.) State (Oct. 3).

22. OREGON (3-0) BEAT SAN JOSE STATE, 58-3

The Ducks had the ball only 71 seconds in the first quarter but scored three touchdowns on a 70-yard punt return, a 55-yard pass play and an 80-yard interception return. Oregon’s next opponent lost by 12 points to San Jose State. Next: Stanford.

23. NOTRE DAME (1-1) DID NOT PLAY

The Fighting Irish remain somewhat of a mystery team, defeating Michigan at home in the opener, then losing big at Michigan State. Notre Dame completes the Big Ten portion of its schedule next week.Next: Purdue.

24. ALABAMA (2-0) DID NOT PLAY

After victories over Brigham Young and Vanderbilt at home, the Crimson Tide is preparing for its first road game. Alabama plays five of its first six games at home, including an Oct. 3 meeting against Florida.Next: at Arkansas.

25. MISSISSIPPI ST. (2-1) LOST TO OKLAHOMA ST., 42-23

The Bulldogs, who had allowed 142 rushing yards in their first two games, gave up 360 to eight different rushers against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State also had 561 total yards--its best effort since Barry Sanders’ heyday. Next: at South Carolina.