The University of Miami is nowhere to be found.

Georgia was around a while ago but also seems to be similarly missing in action. And, what in the name of Bobby Bowden, happened to Florida State? Not to mention, pray tell, Alabama and Penn State?

Yes, this is The Associated Press Top 25, the longest-running college football poll, and you will find none of these perennial powers gracing the ranks of the 70-year old granddaddy of them all today.

But you will see the University of Hawai'i weighing in at No. 25. Just as it is in the USA Today coaches' poll and the Harris Interactive poll.

Just behind Clemson and ahead of the ever-hopeful "also receiving votes" contingent that currently includes Maryland, Texas A&M, Penn State and Georgia, among others.

After a nearly four-year absence to the week, the Warriors have climbed back among the ranked. They are rubbing shoulder pads with the elite once again. Nice to see you again Nebraska. Howzit, Tennessee. Howdy, Texas.

It has been a long and arduous ascent for the Warriors who last turned the trick in 2002 and only accomplished it this time in week 12 of the season. All it took after two losses in the first three games was the longest single-season winning streak in school history, eight games, by the 9-2 Warriors.

But as we have been often reminded in the past, while it is a noteworthy accomplishment, the real trick now comes in putting down roots. That's where memories are made and standards set.

The last time UH crashed a Top 25, it was for a sip of latte, getting bounced the following week by a 21-16 loss to Alabama. The goal now should be to finish the regular and postseason there, something that has happened but once in school history.

This time, however, you've got to feel good about the Warriors' chances. Better than anytime since 1992, for sure. That was the only year UH finished a season in the polls, a school-record 20th after its Holiday Bowl victory over Illinois. A worthy and reachable goal for this team, too.

With three consecutive home games to conclude this season, including the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, the Warriors play it all out in Halawa, which can be a powerful aid in remaining in the poll.

Indeed, Saturday's game with Purdue looks to be the biggest remaining hurdle the Warriors face in running the rest of the table. The Boilermakers are 8-4, tied for fourth place in the Big Ten, and could wind up with the best record of anybody UH sees from here on out.

Oregon State would have to beat Oregon in this week's Civil War to come in here 8-4. Whichever Pac-10 team UH faces in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl — and we know it won't be Oregon State — will have no more than seven victories. At this point, it looks like the Hawai'i Bowl could have its pick of UCLA, the Arizona-Arizona State loser or Washington State. All but the Cougars are 6-5 with a game remaining. WSU is 6-6.

Wins like the ones UH could collect from here on out are the kind that validate a place in the polls and can launch you higher.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.