HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED

1. NEBRASKA (4-0) defeated Missouri, 42-24. The Cornhuskers’ hold on No. 1 could get a little shaky after they struggled defensively against the 1-3 Tigers. Next: at Iowa State, Saturday

2. FLORIDA STATE (5-0) defeated Maryland, 59-7 (Thurs.) The severity of Chris Weinke’s sprained left ankle might not be really known until Saturday’s showdown at Miami. Next: at Miami, Saturday

3. FLORIDA (4-1) lost to Mississippi State, 47-35. Gators’ nightmares continue at Scott Field. In their previous trip to Starkville, Miss., in 1992, they were 30-6 losers. Next: Louisiana State, Saturday

4. VIRGINIA TECH (4-0) defeated Boston College, 48-34. There appears to be no team that can stop Michael Vick and the high-powered Hokies until a Nov. 4 game at Miami. Next: Temple, Saturday

5. KANSAS STATE (5-0) defeated Colorado, 44-21. It was said that the Wildcats’ record was built against a weak nonconference schedule. Tell that to Colorado. Next: at Kansas, Saturday

6. WASHINGTON (3-1) lost to No. 20 Oregon, 23-16. The Ducks were in control throughout as the Huskies lost for the fifth time in seven games to their Pac-10 rival. Next: Oregon State, Saturday

7. CLEMSON (5-0) defeated Duke, 52-22. The Tigers are rolling offensively, having scored 50 or more points in three games and 30-plus points in all five games. Next: North Carolina State, Saturday

8. USC (3-1) lost to Oregon State, 31-21. Beavers’ victory was a long time coming--1967 was their last over the Trojans. USC can’t afford another conference loss. Next: Arizona, Saturday

9. MICHIGAN (4-1) defeated No. 17 Wisconsin, 13-10. After a heartbreaking loss to UCLA, the Wolverines are rolling, having defeated two top 25 Big Ten opponents. Next: at No. 22 Purdue, Saturday

10. MIAMI (3-1) defeated Rutgers, 64-6. As Beano Cook says, the Hurricanes are like the Russian army--tough at home, but not very good on the road. Next: No. 2 Florida State, Saturday

11. TENNESSEE (2-2) lost to Louisiana State, 38-31. It has been a while since the Volunteers were a .500 team, but after an overtime loss to Tigers, that’s what they are. Next: at No. 25 Georgia, Saturday

12. OHIO STATE (4-0) did not play. The Buckeyes were humbled by Wisconsin, 42-17, last season at Columbus, Ohio. Next up, a chance to atone for that performance. Next: at Wisconsin, Saturday

13. TEXAS (3-1) defeated Oklahoma State, 42-7. It was fitting that on a day the Longhorns retired Ricky Williams’ No. 34, their running game came back to life. Next: No. 14 Oklahoma at Dallas, Saturday

14. OKLAHOMA (4-0) defeated Kansas, 34-16. How good are the Sooners? After four pushovers, they will finally get a test--and against a hated rival to boot. Next: No. 13 Texas at Dallas, Saturday

15. UCLA (4-1) defeated Arizona State, 38-31. Bruins put the memories of a loss at Oregon behind them with a big second half against the previously undefeated Sun Devils. Next: at California, Oct. 14

16. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (4-0) defeated Navy, 24-0. It wasn’t easy for the Horned Frogs, whose marquee player, LaDainian Tomlinson, was held 65 yards below his season average. Next: Hawaii, Saturday

17. WISCONSIN (3-2) lost to No. 9 Michigan, 13-10. Now is gut-check time for the Badgers, who have lost two in a row entering a game against an undefeated opponent. Next: Ohio State, Saturday

18. MICHIGAN STATE (3-1) lost to Northwestern, 37-17. The Spartans struggled to contain the Wildcats’ spread offense, but they should be able to regroup for next opponent. Next: at Iowa, Saturday

19. AUBURN (5-0) defeated Vanderbilt, 33-0. How dominating were the Tigers? The Commodores played the entire first half on their side of the 50. Next: at Mississippi State, Saturday

20. OREGON (4-1) defeated No. 6 Washington, 23-16. That’s 18 in a row for the Ducks at Autzen Stadium, the third-longest such streak in Pac-10 history. Next: at No. 8 USC, Oct. 14

21. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (3-1) defeated Memphis, 24-3. The Golden Eagles, who have not given up a touchdown to more than 13 quarters, won their home opener. Next: South Florida, Saturday

22. PURDUE (3-2) lost to Penn State, 22-20. The Boilermakers have not beaten the Nittany Lions since 1951 and will probably fall out of the rankings. Next: Michigan, Saturday

23. SOUTH CAROLINA (4-1) lost to Alabama, 27-17. Lou Holtz said his team didn’t deserve to be ranked, but after the loss said they were better than the score indicated. Next: at Kentucky, Saturday

24. ILLINOIS (3-2) lost to Minnesota, 44-10. There was no disputing a fumble call this week, as the Fighting Illini showed little fight in a humbling loss at Minneapolis. Next: Iowa, Oct. 14

25. GEORGIA (3-1) defeated Arkansas, 38-7. The loss was the first for Arkansas inside the state borders since Houston Nutt took over as coach--a string of 15 games. Next: Tennessee, Saturday