TOP 25 AT A GLANCE

FLORIDA (4-0) BEAT KENTUCKY, 55-28

Must be a kinder, gentler Steve Spurrier. He pulled quarterback Doug Johnson after the third quarter and the Gators leading only 49-7. Next: Arkansas.

PENN STATE (3-0) DID NOT PLAY

Joe Paterno’s reaction to the Nittany Lions falling out of the No. 1 spot: “I don’t know how you can evaluate anyone at this stage.” How about an evaluation of your winless next opponent, Joe. Next: at Illinois.

NEBRASKA (3-0) DID NOT PLAY

See a pattern here. The Cornhuskers had an open date before last Saturday’s victory over then No. 2-ranked Washington. They also have open dates before their toughest Big 12 games against Kansas State and Colorado. Next: Kansas State.

FLORIDA STATE (3-0) DID NOT PLAY.

The Seminoles’ games against Miami used to mean something--national championship implications, becoming the trash talk of the state. Now that the Hurricanes are losing to the likes of Pitt, Saturday’s game is, well, the pits. Next: Miami.

NORTH CAROLINA (4-0) BEAT VIRGINIA, 48-20

The Tar Heels rallied from a 20-3 deficit but Coach Mack Brown seemed confused. “I thought we took a step more toward becoming the fifth-best team in the country.” Mack, you have the fifth-best team in the country. Next: at Texas Christian.

MICHIGAN (3-0) BEAT NOTRE DAME, 21-14

The Wolverines tried to give it away, losing three fumbles in their own territory in the fourth quarter, but the luck of the Irish doesn’t seem to be in Bob Davie’s playbook. Next: at Indiana

OHIO STATE (4-0) BEAT MISSOURI, 31-10

The Buckeyes have a relief pitcher the Dodgers could have used. Quarterback Joe Germaine, a backup who was good enough to be the Rose Bowl MVP in January, came off the bench with Ohio State trailing, 10-7, and led three scoring drives--two that ended with touchdown passes. Next: Iowa.

AUBURN (4-0) PLAYED CENTRAL FLORIDA, 41-14

Central Florida put seven and eight defenders on the line of scrimmage, daring Tiger quarterback Dameyune Craig to throw, so he did--for 360 yards and two touchdowns.

Next: at South Carolina.

TENNESSEE (2-1) DID NOT PLAY.

Another year, another whupping by Florida. So what’s ahead for the Volunteers and Peyton Manning? Well, it looks as if Manning can concentrate on that Heisman Trophy term paper. Next: Mississippi.

WASHINGTON (2-1) DID NOT PLAY

All of that national championship talk was cheap as the Huskies got pushed around by Nebraska on their turf Sept. 20. Let’s talk Pacific 10 championship. Next: Arizona State.

IOWA (4-0) BEAT ILLINOIS, 38-10

The Hawkeyes’ longest touchdown drive was six plays, with two others requiring three plays and another coming after one snap. “Why fool around?” Iowa Coach Hayden Fry said. He has a point, and Iowa has 55 of them a game. Next: at Ohio State.

MICHIGAN STATE (3-0) DID NOT PLAY

The Spartans are quietly holding down this spot in the poll and should continue their silent creep into the Top 10 before an Oct. 25 showdown with Michigan. Next: Minnesota.

LOUISIANA STATE (3-1) BEAT AKRON, 56-0

Gerry Faust still coaching at Akron? Well, it seemed that way as the Tigers scored on each of their possessions until the closing minute of the third quarter. Zero points and zero victories for Akron. That’s why they’re called the Zips. Next: at Vanderbilt.

VIRGINIA TECH (4-0) BEAT ARKANSAS STATE, 50-0

“Normally these games don’t mean as much, but from a player’s perspective and for the coaches we wanted to work on some things,” said Hokie quarterback Al Clark. Next thing Clark will be saying: Practice makes perfect. Next: Miami (Ohio).

WASHINGTON STATE (4-0) BEAT BOISE STATE, 58-0

Talk about a mismatch. Cougar quarterback Ryan Leaf, at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, is bigger than most of the players on Boise State’s defense. Next: at Oregon.

COLORADO (2-1) BEAT WYOMING, 20-19

A late kickoff return for a touchdown and fumble recovery kept the Buffaloes from becoming an endangered Top 25 species. “I think we created our own luck,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. Speaking of luck, remember that Colorado once got five downs to score a game-winning touchdown. Next: Texas A&M.;

CLEMSON (2-2) LOST TO GEORGIA TECH, 23-20

Before this victory, Georgia Tech was known as the only team to lose to Notre Dame this season. Now, the Yellowjackets must search for a new identity. Next: Texas-El Paso.

KANSAS ST. (3-0) BEAT BOWLING GREEN, 58-0

The Wildcats are probably petitioning to get into the Mid-American Conference after defeating three of its teams by a combined 128-27. Alas there’s no getting around Saturday’s date in Lincoln, Neb. Next: at Nebraska.

GEORGIA (3-0) DID NOT PLAY

The Bulldogs haven’t had it this good since Herschel Walker was running off-tackle for Vince Dooley. Of course, it helps to have Arkansas State and Northeast Louisiana on the schedule. Next: Mississippi State.

STANFORD (3-1) BEAT OREGON, 58-49

How you going to keep them from scoring down on The Farm? The Cardinal sealed this wild victory in the final seconds with a punt that was downed at the one-yard line and a safety. Next: Notre Dame

ALABAMA (3-1) BEAT SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, 27-13.

The Crimson Tide defense had to defend against the three-pointer--the Southern Mississippi kicker’s name is Tim Hardaway. Alabama’s offense continues to be in the four-corners, getting only 275 yards. Next: at Kentucky.

TEXAS A&M; (3-0) BEAT NORTH TEXAS, 36-10

North Texas ambushed a Big 12 team, Texas Tech, on Sept. 20, but the Aggies would have none of that--though they certainly had to be concerned when the scored was tied, 10-10, at the half. Next: at Colorado.

BRIGHAM YOUNG (2-1) BEAT SMU, 19-16

Here’s a switch. The Cougars, who used to run the ball as an afterthought, pounded their way to the winning touchdown in overtime, with tailback Brian McKenzie serving as the battering ram on three consecutive handoffs. Next: Fri., Utah State

UCLA (2-2) BEAT ARIZONA, 40-27

Skip Hicks became the Bruins’ all-time touchdown leader, but think where UCLA would be if it had gotten a couple of late scores against Washington State and Tennessee. Probably in the Top 10. Next: Houston.

ARIZONA ST. (3-1) BEAT OREGON ST., 13-10

The Sun Devils somehow survived 14 penalties, three interceptions, a late fumble and the loss of leading rusher Mike Martin because of a neck injury. Last year’s Pacific 10 champion faces this year’s favorite on Saturday. Next: at Washington.