HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED

(1) OKLAHOMA (12-0) defeated No. 8 Kansas State, 27-24. Sooners appeared vulnerable in recent weeks, but earned shot at first national title since ’85. Next: No. 3 Florida State in Orange Bowl, Jan. 3

(2) MIAMI (10-1) did not play. Hurricanes on the outside looking in. They defeated No. 3 Florida State, but it’s the Seminoles who get a shot at playing for a national title. Next: TBA

(3) FLORIDA STATE (11-1) did not play. After stumbling at Miami, Seminoles ran off six consecutive wins. A seventh will earn them the national title. Next: No. 1 Oklahoma in Orange Bowl, Jan. 3

(4) WASHINGTON (10-1) did not play. Huskies lost first two games under Rick Neuheisel in 1999, but have gone 17-4 since. They’ve won seven in a row. Next: No. 14 Purdue in Rose Bowl, Jan. 1

(5) OREGON STATE (10-1) did not play. Corvallis might not be a work of art, but suddenly it looks like a million bucks to Coach Dennis Erickson, who signed a new seven-year contract. Next: TBA

(6) VIRGINIA TECH (10-1) did not play. Only Rutgers and Temple failed to score at least 20 points against Hokies, who allowed only two opponents to do so last season. Next: TBA

(7) FLORIDA (10-2) defeated No. 18 Auburn, 28-6. Youthful Gators, who won their first SEC title since 1996, have plenty to look forward to, including a trip to the Sugar Bowl. Next: Sugar Bowl, Jan. 2

(8) KANSAS STATE (10-3) lost to No. 1 Oklahoma, 27-24. Not that it makes them feel any better, but two of the Wildcats’ losses were to the No. 1 team. The other loss was at Texas A&M;, 26-10. Next: TBA

(9) OREGON (9-2) did not play. A nonconference loss at Wisconsin is all that kept the Ducks out of a trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. Oregon outscored opponents at Autzen Stadium, 165-73. Next: TBA

(10) NEBRASKA (9-2) did not play. Frank Solich, John Robinson (USC), Bill Battle (Tennessee) and Barry Switzer (Oklahoma) are only coaches since 1894 to average 10 wins in first three seasons. Next: TBA

(11) NOTRE DAME (9-2) did not play. Talk about stingy. Irish led the nation in fewest turnovers with eight, but their frugality will likely pay off with a bid to a lucrative BCS game. Next: TBA

(12) TEXAS (9-2) did not play. Longhorns are a perfect fit for Holiday Bowl. They scored over 40 points a school-record tying seven times and averaged 38.6 points. Next: Holiday Bowl, Dec. 29, San Diego

(13) TEXAS CHRISTIAN (10-1) did not play. Dennis Franchione might enjoy his new life in Alabama, but it can get awfully hot in the fall. Next: Southern Mississippi in Mobile Alabama Bowl, Dec. 20

(14) PURDUE (8-3) did not play. Season would become even more memorable if Drew Brees were to win the Heisman and lead Boilermakers to victory in Pasadena. Next: No. 4 Washington in Rose Bowl, Jan. 1

(15) CLEMSON (9-2) did not play. In two seasons, the Tigers have set 77 school records, including 60 on offense, but offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez left to take West Virginia job. Next: Gator Bowl, Jan. 1

(16) MICHIGAN (8-3) did not play. Lloyd Carr and Wolverines got a jump scouting their bowl opponent, which lost in the Southeastern Conference title game. Next: No. 18 Auburn in Citrus Bowl, Jan. 1

(17) GEORGIA TECH (9-2) did not play. Although the Peach Bowl is in Atlanta, Yellow Jackets are winless in two appearances in the game. Their all-time bowl record is 19-9. Next: Peach Bowl, Dec. 29

(18) AUBURN (9-3) lost to No. 7 Florida, 28-6. Despite loss to Gators, Tigers must feel good about what they’ve done after two consecutive losing seasons. Next: No. 16 Michigan in Citrus Bowl, Jan. 1

(19) NORTHWESTERN (8-3) did not play. Wildcats rank No. 3 nationally in total offense (475.6 yards a game) and No. 8 in scoring (38.5). They lead Big Ten in both categories. Next: Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30

(20) OHIO STATE (8-3) did not play. John Cooper might get a fat bonus for getting the Buckeyes to a Jan. 1 game, but fans remember his 2-10-1 record against Michigan. Next: Outback Bowl, Jan. 1

(21) TENNESSEE (8-3) did not play. Volunteers lost three of their first five, then rebounded to win six in a row to secure their 12th consecutive trip to a bowl game. Next: TBA

(22) LOUISVILLE (9-2) did not play. Cardinals have outscored opponents in first half by only 166-153, but in second half they have a 216-93 advantage. Next: No. 23 Colorado State in Liberty Bowl, Dec. 29

(23) COLORADO STATE (9-2) did not play. Rams were impressive in winning six in a row in midseason, but stumbled in a 44-40 loss at rival Air Force. Next: No. 22 Louisville in Liberty Bowl, Dec. 29

(24) GEORGIA (7-4) did not play. Quarterback Quincy Carter, who is still recovering from a torn ligament in his right thumb, may not be ready to play in a bowl game. Next: TBA

(25) TOLEDO (10-1) did not play. Rockets lost only one game (at Western Michigan, 21-14), but suffered an even bigger loss when Gary Pinkel left to become the coach at Missouri. Next: TBA