HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED

Key: Won--Gray background; Lost--White; Didn’t play--Black

*--* 1 MIAMI 3-0 Defeated Temple, 44-21 Big East punching bag Temple won’t be around much longer for Miami, as the conference will give the losing Owls the boot after the 2004 season. Next:. Boston College, Saturday 2 OKLAHOMA 3-0 Defeated Texas El Paso, 68-0 Sooner defense was back in force after Alabama dented it the previous week. Miners had not been shut out for 61 games. Next: South Florida, Sept. 28 3 TEXAS 2-0 Defeated North Carolina, 52-21 Longhorns, who were told to watch Tar Heels’ game against Syracuse, obviously took good notes. One assumes this ability transfers to the classroom. Next: Houston, Saturday 4 TENNESSEE 2-0 Did not play Although idle, Volunteer program kept in the spotlight when word leaked of receiver Montrell Jones’ August arrest for marijuana possession. Next: No. 12 Florida, Saturday 5 FLORIDA STATE 3-0 Defeated Maryland, 37-10 Seminoles brushed aside the defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions and are 13-0 all-time against the Terrapins. Next: Duke, Saturday 6 OHIO STATE 3-0 Defeated Washington State, 25-7 ESPN journalist Kirk Herbstreit, who quarterbacke d Buckeyes past Cougars and Drew Bledsoe in 1991, addresses team before game. Next: at Cincinnati, Saturday 7 MICHIGAN 2-1 Lost to No. 20 Notre Dame, 25-23 Seven of the previous eight games between Irish and Wolverines at South Bend were settled by a combined 17 points, so this verdict was true to form. Next: Utah, Saturday 8 NEBRASKA 3-1 Lost Penn State, 40-7 With Jammal Lord struggling and Eric Crouch retired, maybe the Cornhuskers can figure how to get last year’s Heisman winner back on the field. Next: at Iowa State, Sept. 28 9 GEORGIA 2-0 Defeated South Carolina, 13-7 Bulldogs take a bite out of mistake-pron e Gamecocks, who have 11 turnovers in past two games. Georgia has only three more road games. Next: Northwestern State, Saturday 10 WASHINGTON STATE 2-1 Lost to No. 6 Ohio State, 25-7 Cougars were given a lesson from the Woody Hayes playbook, as they totaled only 17 rushing yards to the Buckeyes’ 292. Next: Montana State, Saturday 11 VIRGINIA TECH 3-0 Defeated Marshall, 47-21, on Thursday The Hokies called 66 running plays in 78 snaps against the Thundering Herd, but what happens when they fall behind an opponent, 14-0? Next: at No. 21 Texas A&M;, Saturday 12 FLORIDA 2-1 Defeated Ohio, 34-6 A telling quote from Gator offensive lineman Shannon Snell: “Outside of the team, I don’t think anybody thinks we’re going to do well next week.” Next: at No. 4 Tennessee, Saturday 13 OREGON 3-0 Defeated Idaho, 58-21 A Harrington played quarterback, but it was Michael, younger brother of former Duck Joey. He completed two passes for 15 yards for Vandals. Next: Portland State, Saturday 14 WASHINGTON 1-1 Did not play Huskies had a full-contact scrimmage Thursday against the scout team, probably their toughest opponent during this five-game homestand. Next: Wyoming, Saturday 15 MICHIGAN STATE 2-1 Lost to California, 46-22 Spartans, trailing 25-0, were booed at end of first half, but the boos will be long forgotten if they extend winning streak to six against Irish. Next: No. 20 Notre Dame, Saturday 16 MARSHALL 1-1 Lost to No. 11 Virginia Tech, 47-21 It didn’t go as planned for Marshall, as gun-slinging quarterback Byron Leftwich looked more like Earl of Sandwich in humbling loss to Hokies. Next: Central Florida, Friday 17 USC 2-0 Defeated No. 18 Colorado, 40-3 Trojans ready for the big stage of Manhattan

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