HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED

1 MIAMI 11-0

Won at Syracuse, 49-7. BCS: No. 1.

Hurricanes are only one game from being in the chips, i.e., a trip to Tempe and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Next: Virginia Tech, Saturday.

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2 OHIO STATE 13-0

Did not play. BCS: No. 2.

Are those tears of joy that Buckeye fans are shedding, or might they still be wiping the pepper spray from their eyes? Next: Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 3.

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3 OKLAHOMA 10-2

Lost to Oklahoma State, 38-28. BCS: No. 3.

Sooner tight end Trent Smith last week: “If [Oklahoma State] wins, it’s Christmas all year for them.” Ho, ho, ho! Next: vs. No. 13 Colorado in Big 12 title game at Houston, Saturday.

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4 GEORGIA 11-1

Defeated Georgia Tech, 51-7. BCS: No. 4.

Georgia Tech engineers go back to the drawing board after designs for the upset crumble to pieces. Next: vs. Arkansas in Southeastern Conference title game at Atlanta, Saturday.

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5 IOWA 11-1

Did not play. BCS: No. 5.

Brad Banks has a new Web site that he would like you to bookmark for reference: www.hawkeyeheisman.com. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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6 USC 10-2

Defeated No. 7 Notre Dame, 44-13 BCS: No. 6.

Does a Trojan team with two losses move ahead of one-loss Iowa or Georgia in the BCS rankings? Two-loss Kansas State, which beat USC, would like to know. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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7 NOTRE DAME 10-2

Lost at No. 6 USC, 44-13 BCS: No. 7.

Does a two-loss Notre Dame team, which lost to USC, get an invitation to a BCS bowl -- say the Orange -- because, well, it’s Notre Dame? Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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8 KANSAS STATE 10-2

Did not play. BCS: No. 10.

Jayson Whitlock in K.C. Star: Wildcats “proved that ‘Buster’ Douglas isn’t the only man who can milk one legitimate victory [over USC] for ... an eternity.” Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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9 WASHINGTON STATE 9-2

Did not play. BCS: No. 8.

Top-selling titles in Pullman bookstores: “A Dummies Guide to Gun Care,” “Customizing Your Pickup,” “Care and Treatment of Roses.” Next: at UCLA, Saturday.

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10 TEXAS 10-2

Defeated at Texas A&M;, 50-20, Friday. BCS: No. 9.

The breeze coming off the plains of Texas is not a breeze at all. It’s a sigh of relief now that Longhorn student Jenna Bush finally has turned 21. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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11 PENN STATE 9-3

Did not play. BCS: No. 14.

Let’s put this Larry Johnson-for-Heisman talk to rest. Total rushing yards against Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State: 212. Against cream puffs: 1,803. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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12 MICHIGAN 9-3

Did not play. BCS: No. 11.

What’s in your wallet? Wolverines are hoping it’s not a trip to Capital One Bowl in Orlando, where they have played three of the past four seasons. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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13 COLORADO 9-3

Won at Nebraska, 28-13, Friday. BCS: No. 12.

Remember Bob Stoops’ comment about Buffaloes not getting a mulligan after Oklahoma’s 27-11 victory on Nov. 2? Next: vs. No. 3 Oklahoma in Big 12 title game at Houston, Saturday.

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14 ALABAMA 10-3

Won at Hawaii, 21-16

Despite the ordeal of getting the covered wagons from the mainland to Honolulu, the trip was worthwhile for Crimson Tide fans. Next: Season over.

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15 FLORIDA 8-4

Lost at No. 23 Florida State, 31-14. BCS: No. 13.

Gator fan was stopped by a cop, who asked: “Your eyes look red. Have you been drinking?” Fan: “Your eyes look glazed. Have you been eating doughnuts?” Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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16 COLORADO STATE 10-3

Lost to Nevada Las Vegas, 36-33. BCS: No. 15.

New ordinance in Fort Collins cracks down on smoking in public places, but you can be sure that they were lighting up in Las Vegas. Next: Liberty Bowl, Dec. 31.

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17 PITTSBURGH 8-4

Lost at No. 24 West Virginia, 24-17.

Before a revved-up crowd of 66,731 at Heinz Field, Panthers had to play catch-up for much of the game. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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18 LOUISIANA STATE 8-4

Lost at Arkansas, 21-20, Friday.

Still puzzled why starting quarterback Mike Mauck was playing in fourth quarter of 36-7 victory against Florida. He got hurt and the Tigers stumbled to 3-3 finish. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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19 BOISE STATE 11-1

Did not play.

Humanitarian Bowl officials extended a bid to the Broncos because their fans are expected to travel well. Next: Humanitarian Bowl, Dec. 31.

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20 AUBURN 8-4

Did not play.

Center Ben Nowland’s first impression of running back Tre Smith? “I thought he looked like Justin Timberlake from ‘N Sync.” Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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21 NORTH CAROLINA ST. 10-3

Did not play.

The Wolfpack, a team to keep an eye on next season, will likely play West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. Next: Gator Bowl, Jan. 1.

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22 VIRGINA TECH 9-3

Defeated Virginia, 21-9.

And you thought you had computer trouble. BCS chaos will ensue if Hokies do the unexpected and beat No. 1 Miami. Next: at No. 1 Miami, Saturday.

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23 FLORIDA STATE 9-4

Defeated No. 15 Florida, 31-14.

The Rix was in: Now that he’s the starter again, our advice to Chris Rix is that he not shop at R&R; Truck and Accessories. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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24 WEST VIRGINIA 9-3

Won at No. 17 Pittsburgh, 24-17.

The Mountaineers came down from the summit and handed the Panthers an old-fashioned whipping in the Backyard Brawl. Next: Bowl game, TBD.

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25 MARYLAND 10-3

Defeated Wake Forest, 32-14.

BTD Ralph Friedgen was all smiles accepting Peach Bowl bid, but earlier was miffed at Gator Bowl officials for taking N.C. State ahead of the Terrapins. Next: Peach Bowl, Dec. 31.

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Jay Christensen