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Top 25 games

No. 1 MIAMI (1-0) at No. 6 FLORIDA (1-0): It's been too long. For the first time in 15 years, these old rivals play in the regular season. It's the first time they meet in Gainesville since 1986. UM and UF scuffled on Bourbon Street before they played in the Sugar Bowl two years ago, and this promises to be as intense, with Heisman Trophy candidates at quarterback for both sides. Maybe games this year and next will be so good the powers that be will have no choice but to schedule it every year. 5 p.m., Ch. 10.

No. 2 OKLAHOMA (1-0) vs. ALABAMA (1-0): These longtime powerhouses meet for just the third time, though much of the luster is gone because of Alabama's probation. Both past meetings were in bowl games. The two have combined for 86 bowl appearances. The Crimson Tide appeared to look ahead to the Sooners when they let Middle Tennessee come back on them last week. Oklahoma had no such concerns against Tulsa. 3:30 p.m., Ch. 28.

No. 3 TEXAS (1-0) is idle. The Longhorns play at North Carolina on Sept. 14.

No. 4 TENNESSEE (1-0) vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE (0-1): The Vols trotted out a new running back, Cedric Houston, who rushed for 106 yards on 10 carries in the opener against Wyoming. Surprisingly, these schools have not met. Middle Tennessee's Dwone Hicks scored two touchdowns in the loss to Alabama, but don't expect the Blue Raiders to come as close as they did against the Tide. 7 p.m.

No. 5 FLORIDA STATE (2-0) is idle. The Seminoles play at Maryland on Sept. 14.

No. 7 MICHIGAN (1-0) vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN (1-0): The Wolverines avoided a third straight defeat with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Washington. The game was not without its problems, however, and Michigan will try to correct them against a Western squad that lost 38-21 in Ann Arbor a year ago. The Broncos rushed for 13 yards last week and struggled to run the ball in a season-opening victory over Indiana State. 12:10 p.m., FSN.

No. 8 OHIO STATE (1-0) vs. KENT STATE (1-0): Not exactly an in-state rival for the Buckeyes, Kent State is more of a tuneup for Washington State in a week. Ohio State will take it, since there are no more off weeks this season. Ohio State is 16-1 against MAC opponents. It will be interesting to see if freshman tailback Maurice Clarett comes anywhere near his opening-game success of 175 rushing yards against Texas Tech. 12:10 p.m., (PPV.

No. 9 NEBRASKA (2-0) vs. UTAH STATE (0-1): A third straight tuneup for the Cornhuskers before trips to Penn State and Iowa State. Nebraska's DeJuan Groce had a monster game against Troy State last week, getting 155 yards on punt returns, 15 short of a school record. He also intercepted two passes. Nebraska would like to see its running game get going, mainly I-back Dahrran Diedrick. 7 p.m.

No. 10 GEORGIA (1-0) is idle. The Bulldogs play South Carolina on Sept. 14.

No. 11 WASHINGTON STATE (1-0) vs. IDAHO (0-1): It took a while for the Cougars to get into a groove against Nevada, falling behind 7-0 before cruising to a 31-7 victory. The Cougars are expected to challenge for the Pac-10 title behind quarterback Jason Gesser, though this is a tuneup for next week's game against Ohio State. This is an old rivalry, the 85th game between the schools, which are located 10 miles apart. 5 p.m..

No. 12 VIRGINIA TECH (1-0) is idle. The Hokies play No. 16 Marshall (1-0) on Thursday.

No. 13 OREGON (1-0) vs. FRESNO STATE (1-1): It could have been Joey Harrington vs. David Carr, but both quarterbacks left for the NFL. Fresno State is not the same team without Carr. The Ducks took care of Mississippi State behind junior quarterback Jason Fife. Tailback Onterrio Smith had 28 carries for 124 yards. Fresno has a decent defense and could keep it close. 3:30 p.m.

No. 14 WASHINGTON (0-1) vs. SAN JOSE STATE (1-0): Regrouping is the task that faces Washington this week. The Huskies should have won last week's game at Michigan. It was over but for a 12-men-on-the-field penalty that gave the Wolverines 15 yards and the distance needed to kick the winning field goal. Coach Rick Neuheisel said it was "a nightmare of epic proportions." It wiped out a comeback from 14 points. Though San Jose State's defense caused five turnovers in a 33-14 victory over Arkansas State, the Huskies likely will take their frustrations out on the Spartans. 3:30 p.m.

No. 15 MICHIGAN STATE (1-0) vs. RICE (0-1): This could get ugly. Rice is one of the worst Division I-A teams, having lost to crosstown rival Houston, which snapped a 15-game losing streak. The Spartans no doubt will be looking ahead to Cal and Notre Dame. Victories over those two would inch them up into the top 10 before the Big Ten season begins. Rice, 8-4 a year ago, lost eight starters on offense and defense. 1:05 p.m.

No. 17 COLORADO (0-1) vs. SAN DIEGO STATE: The Buffaloes, after their fourth straight season-opening loss, take out frustrations on the Aztecs. 7 p.m.

No. 18 SOUTHERN CAL (1-0) is idle. The Trojans play at No. 17 Colorado (0-1) on Sept. 14.

No. 19 COLORADO STATE (2-0) at UCLA (0-0): Rams go to L.A. wondering why they're ranked behind Colorado, a team they beat. 10:15 p.m.

No. 20 TEXAS A&M (1-0) at PITTSBURGH (1-0): Both won easily last week but are experiencing quarterback controversies. Noon, ESPN.

No. 21 N.C. STATE (2-0) at NAVY (1-0): The Wolfpack's preseason warmup act continues. Noon.

No. 22 SOUTH CAROLINA (1-0) at VIRGINIA (0-2): The Gamecocks try to get their defensive woes settled against the Cavaliers, who could be 0-3 after facing three teams now ranked in the top 25. 7:45 p.m, ESPN.

No. 23 NOTRE DAME (1-0) vs. PURDUE (1-0): The Irish have won 12 straight over the Boilermakers at home. 1 p.m., Ch. 8.

No. 24 LSU (0-1) vs. THE CITADEL (0-0): A victory for the Tigers won't erase the sting of an opening loss at Virginia Tech. 8 p.m.

No. 25 WISCONSIN (2-0) vs. WEST VIRGINIA (1-0): Badgers found a receiver in Jonathan Orr, who set a freshman record with 150 yards in last week's win over UNLV. 12:10 p.m., PPV.

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