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HOW THE TOP 25 FARED

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1. OKLAHOMA (11-0) defeated Oklahoma State, 12-7. Sooners hardly rolling, and on the horizon is an opponent seeking revenge. Next: No. 8 Kansas State in Big 12 title game Saturday at Kansas City, Mo.

2. MIAMI (10-1) defeated Boston College, 52-6. After dismantling the Eagles, the only thing the Hurricanes have left to do is wait and hope possible BCS injustice is averted. Next: TBA

3. FLORIDA STATE (11-1) did not play. Seminoles can play defense too. Linebackers Brian Allen, Bradley Jennings and Tommy Polley each had more than 100 tackles. Next: TBA

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

5. OREGON STATE (10-1) did not play. Kicker Ryan Cesca made 14 of 17 field goals, but missed a big one at Washington that would have forced overtime. Next: TBA

6. VIRGINIA TECH (10-1) defeated Virginia, 42-21. A less-than-mobile Michael Vick was the ultimate role player as the Hokies’ bid for a BCS at-large spot remained alive. Next: TBA

7. FLORIDA (9-2) did not play. Gators defeated Auburn, 38-7, Oct. 14 at Gainesville, but the rushing game is anemic at 103.2 yards a game. Next: Auburn in SEC title game Saturday at Atlanta

8. KANSAS STATE (10-2) did not play. Expect Wildcats to look at defensive scheme used by Texas A&M; against Sooners. Next: No. 1 Oklahoma in Big 12 title game Saturday at Kansas City, Mo.

9. NEBRASKA (9-2) defeated Colorado, 34-32, Friday. Cornhuskers have won nine in a row over Buffaloes, but the last five have been by a combined total of 15 points. Next: TBA

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10. OREGON (9-2) did not play. Ducks’ kicking game was a weak point. Josh Frankel made only 13 of 25 field goals, but did have the game-winner at Washington State. Next: TBA

11. NOTRE DAME (9-2) defeated USC, 38-21. After a 5-7 season in 1999, Bob Davie returns Irish to prominence. Paul Hackett doesn’t figure to get the same chance with the Trojans. Next: TBA

12. TEXAS (9-2) defeated No. 22 Texas A&M;, 43-17, Friday. If Chris Simms had played like this--383 yards, three touchdown passes--from the start, the Longhorns might be talking BCS now. Next: TBA

13. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (10-1) defeated Southern Methodist, 62-7. How bitter is that San Jose State loss now? Next: Southern Mississippi in Mobile Alabama Bowl, Dec. 20

14. PURDUE (8-3) did not play. Four years ago, Drew Brees and his classmates were ranked as the worst group of recruits in the Big Ten. Look at them now. Next: No. 4 Washington in Rose Bowl, Jan. 1

15. CLEMSON (9-2) did not play. Tommy Bowden likely will have to find a replacement for offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, who is expected to become West Virginia coach. Next: vs. TBA, Gator Bowl, Jan. 1

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16. MICHIGAN (8-3) did not play. Wolverines beginning to like Florida. They played in 1999 Citrus Bowl, beating Arkansas, and 2000 Orange Bowl, defeating Alabama. Next: vs. TBA, Citrus Bowl, Jan. 1

17. AUBURN (9-2) did not play. If the Tigers lose to Florida--the Gators beat them, 38-7, on Oct. 14--they will play Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Next: No. 7 Florida in SEC title game Saturday at Atlanta

18. GEORGIA TECH (9-2) defeated No. 19 Georgia, 27-15. Yellowjackets feeling peachy after getting an early lead and avoiding another last-second ending against rival. Next: vs. TBA, Peach Bowl, Dec. 29

19. GEORGIA (7-4) lost to No. 18 Georgia Tech, 27-15. Quarterback Cory Phillips passed for career-high 409 yards, but Quincy Carter probably makes some difference on the scoreboard. Next: TBA

20. NORTHWESTERN (8-3) did not play. Wildcats tied for Big Ten title but were passed over by the Citrus and Outback bowls in favor of Michigan and Ohio State. Next: vs. TBA, Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30

21. OHIO STATE (8-3) did not play. Woody Hayes would go ballistic if he knew Buckeyes were eighth in the Big Ten in time of possession and ninth in first downs. Next: vs. TBA, Outback Bowl, Jan. 1

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22. TEXAS A&M; (7-4) lost to No. 12 Texas, 43-17, Friday. As consolation prize for loss to in-state rival, Aggies are left angling for Alamo, Insight.com or Independence bowls. Next: TBA

23. MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-4) lost to Mississippi, 45-30, Thursday. The Bulldogs were 6-0 in Thursday night games, but the Rebels ended that streak. Mississippi State has lost two in a row. Next: TBA

24. LOUISIANA STATE (7-4) lost to Arkansas, 14-3, Friday. Three inches of rain fell before kickoff and the Tigers looked bad slipping up against what had been a .500 team. Next: TBA

25. TENNESSEE (8-3) defeated Vanderbilt, 28-26. Playing in Adelphia Coliseum gives Vols a cozy atmosphere on road as orange fills most of the seats and team wins 18th in a row in series. Next: TBA

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