HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED

1. NEBRASKA (2-0) did not play. It might have been an off-week for the Cornhuskers, but it wasn’t a week off for the special teams, which gave up two TDs in victory at Notre Dame. Next: Iowa, Saturday

2. FLORIDA STATE (3-0) defeated North Carolina, 63-14. The Atlantic Coast Conference scrimmages continue for Seminoles, who are 64-2 in the league since joining in 1992. Next: Louisville, Saturday

3. MICHIGAN (2-1) lost to No. 14 UCLA, 23-20. Wolverines have to be kicking themselves after missed opportunities in the kicking game proved costly. Next: at No. 19 Illinois, Saturday

4. WISCONSIN (3-0) defeated Cincinnati, 28-25. Barry Alvarez’s short-handed Badgers are perfecting the great escape with three victories by a total of 19 points. Next: Northwestern, Saturday

5. TEXAS (2-1) lost to Stanford, 27-24. The Longhorns have a quarterback controversy with Chris Simms and Major Applewhite--and a loss. Next: Houston, Saturday

6. FLORIDA (2-0) defeated No. 11 Tennessee, 27-23. Jabar Gaffney’s gift of grab ended the Volunteers home win streak at 23 and put the Gators in SEC East driver’s seat. Next: Kentucky, Saturday

7. KANSAS STATE (3-0) defeated Ball State, 76-0. Maybe Bill Snyder has a heart. After Ball State lost its 20th in a row, he addressed the Cardinal players. Next: North Texas, Saturday

8. VIRGINIA TECH (3-0) defeated Rutgers, 49-0. The Hokies have scored 52, 45 and 49 points in three games and likely won’t be challenged until a Nov. 4 game at Miami. Next: at Boston College, Sept. 30

9. WASHINGTON (3-0) defeated Colorado, 17-14. The Huskies will earn a well-deserved rest this week after impressive victories over Miami and the Buffaloes. Next: at Oregon, Sept. 30

10. USC (2-0) didn’t play. The L.A. rivalry is really heating up, but there’s no looking ahead for the Trojans, who play next against a team that has beaten Stanford two years in a row. Next: San Jose State, Saturday

11. TENNESSEE (1-1) lost to No. 6 Florida, 27-23. The Volunteers had two weeks to prepare for the Gators and still lost before a Neyland Stadium record crowd of 108,768. Next: Louisiana Monroe, Saturday

12. MIAMI (1-1) did not play. The Hurricanes had the week to think about their 34-29 loss at Washington in preparation for the Big East opener against the Mountaineers. Next: West Virginia, Saturday

13. PURDUE (2-1) lost to No. 21 Notre Dame, 23-21. Drew Brees was left asking why the Boilermakers attempted only 22 passes in the loss to the Fighting Irish. Next: Minnesota, Saturday

14. UCLA (3-0) defeated No. 3 Michigan, 23-20. The Bruins won’t have much time to celebrate their victory over the Wolverines as they prepare to open Pac-10 play on the road. Next: at Oregon, Saturday

15. ALABAMA (1-2) lost to Southern Mississippi, 21-0. What was to be another banner season of Crimson Tide football has quickly turned into a disappointment. Next: at Arkansas, Saturday

16. CLEMSON (2-0) defeated Wake Forest, 55-7. After three impressive victories over marginal opponents at home, the Tigers take their show on the road the next two weeks. Next: at Virginia, Saturday

17. OHIO STATE (3-0) defeated Miami (Ohio), 27-16. The Buckeyes struggled against a Mid-American opponent, but life might get easier as Penn State rolls into Columbus. Next: Penn State, Saturday

18. OKLAHOMA (2-0) did not play. All is well in Norman. Bob Stoops has a new contract and the Sooners figure to be undefeated entering an Oct. 7 game against rival Texas. Next: Rice, Saturday

19. ILLINOIS (3-0) defeated California, 17-15. If quarterback Kurt Kittner can’t play against Michigan, the Fighting Illini might get thrown to the Wolves. Next: Michigan, Saturday

20. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (2-0) defeated Northwestern, 41-14. The Horned Frogs have the best nickname in the top 25 and possibly the best running back in LaDainian Tomlinson. Next: Arkansas State, Saturday

21. NOTRE DAME (2-1) defeated No. 13 Purdue, 23-21. With a bit of luck, the Irish could be 3-0. Then again, without a bit of luck Notre Dame could be 1-2. Next: at No. 22 Michigan State, Saturday

22. MICHIGAN STATE (2-0) defeated Missouri, 13-10. The Spartans were shaky in beating the Tigers, but were they simply looking ahead to their next opponent? Next: No. 21 Notre Dame, Saturday

23. GEORGIA (1-1) did not play. Coach Jim Donnan had a week to rally the troops after a startling loss at South Carolina to open Southeastern Conference play. Next: New Mexico State, Saturday

24. AUBURN (3-0) defeated Louisiana State, 34-17. Rudi Johnson became the first Tiger back in seven years to reach the 100-yard plateau in three consecutive games. Next: Northern Illinois, Saturday

25. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (1-1) defeated Alabama, 21-0. The Golden Eagles of Conference USA are 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference after stunning the Crimson Tide. Next: at Oklahoma State, Saturday