Notes on the Nation:

Recap:

The Texas Longhorns were able to solidify themselves as the No. 1 team in my poll with their victory over the Missouri Tigers last weekend. Texas gets the nod over Alabama, who is clearly the No. 2 team in the country, as the Longhorns' impressive victories have come more recently than the Crimson Tide's notable wins. Could we see a Texas vs. Alabama match-up in the national title game? Wouldn't that be something to see two of the most storied programs play for all the marbles?

Both Oklahoma and LSU bounced back with nice victories after being knocked from the ranks of the undefeated recently. Georgia also is starting to come back strong with its win over Vandy.

Meanwhile, BYU got embarrassed by TCU during the week, ruining their undefeated dream. However, TCU is the real deal and is a better team than both UCLA and Washington, two teams the Cougars beat earlier in the season. TCU's only blemish this year has been a loss to the Sooners and otherwise, could be ranked in the Top 10 in some polls if not for that loss.

We all found out where Michigan State stands in relation to the elite of the Big Ten, and apparently the Spartans are not among that group after falling to Ohio State. Could Beanie Wells eventually find his way back among the Heisman candidates with an impressive game against "Linebacker U"?

Top 25

1. Texas

2. Alabama

3. Utah

4. Boise State

5. Penn State

6. Oklahoma State

7. Ohio State

8. Georgia

9. USC

10. Florida

11. Florida State

12. Pittsburgh

13. LSU

14. Oklahoma

15. South Florida

16. TCU

17. Boston College

18. BYU

19. Arizona

20. Oregon

21. Kansas

22. Virginia Tech

23. North Carolina

24. Missouri

25. Vanderbilt

Looking Ahead:

Texas Tech travels to Lawrence to take on Kansas. If the Red Raiders can outgun the Jayhawks on the road, who got burned pretty bad last week by the Sooners, they will probably end up in my Top 10.

Texas continues to run the gauntlet of undefeated foes, taking on my No. 6 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. The interesting part of all this would be where would the Cowboys end up if they pulled up the upset? Would a win over a No. 1 ranked team and handing a strong Mizzou team its first loss be enough to leap frog Penn State and Alabama?

Speaking of Penn State, the Nittany Lions hopes to remain undefeated go through Columbus this weekend as they travel to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. It's been a long time since PSU has pulled out a win in the Horseshoe and trying to stop Wells and freshman sensation Terrelle Pryor will be no easy task by any means.

The SEC powerhouse teams will continue to give each other black eyes as Georgia takes on LSU. One of these two teams national title hopes will mostly likely end after this battle concludes.

An ACC match-up to keep an eye on is Virginia Tech versus Florida State. The Seminoles look like they are serious contenders in the conference led by running back Antone Smith. Meanwhile, the Hokies look like they are having an off year. VA Tech still has a lot of talent on its squad, but they just need to find a way for things to click better.

For you night owls out there, throw on the USC at Arizona game which doesn't start until 10:15 pm Eastern Time. Wildcats head coach Mike Stoops looks to finally steer his squad to a bowl game and in the process hopes to make a statement by upsetting the favored Trojans.

Also next week, I will begin to rank the conferences and project by the BCS games and playoff formats (if they were to exist).

Heisman Watch:

1. Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma

2. Colt McCoy QB Texas

3. Daryll Clark QB Penn State

4. Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State

5. Tim Tebow QB Florida

The Bull Breaker

Recap:

What's with games coming down to the last play for Buffalo? This is the third contest in the row for the Bulls to come down to the final play, second to not end in regulation. I know a win is a win, but it would be nice to see the team post a nice, sound victory like it did against UTEP in the opener.

This was also the first game I've seen live since the UTEP game. The offense looked Jim Hofher-like through the first three quarters. Drew Willy looked very pedestrian. The defense didn't look that great either during the same period as it didn't seem to find away to really stop Army's option attack.

However, this all changed in the fourth quarter. Willy played efficient as we are use to seeing and helped lead the charge back. At the same time, the defense stepped up and made some plays.

Thermilus did ok on his own after Mario Henry left the game with what seems like a serious knee injury but was by no means brilliant. Buffalo leaned heavily on Willy in the fourth because of this and may have been able to pull out the win in regulation if it had James Starks' game breaking ability in the line-up. Unfortunately, he's still battling a case of turf toe and missed yet another contest. His presence adds a dynamic element to the offense and you could really see that without him out there on Saturday.

Army really outplayed Buffalo through most of the game and probably deserved the win, but you still need to give credit to the Bulls for snagging a win out of the jaws of defeat. It's a sign of a team that has learned how to fight back and win, a true testament to the character that head coach Turner Gill has installed in the program. A Jim Hofher-led team would have never been able to come back like the Bulls did last weekend.

Looking Ahead:

This week is technically an off-week for the Bulls as it next plays against the Ohio Bobcats on Tuesday night in Athens, Ohio.

The obvious storyline is there: two former Nebraska coaches and players square off against each other in Gill versus Ohio Bobcats head coach Frank Solich. It adds a little more fuel to the fire between these two schools which are developing a slight rivalry.

Ohio has only won two games this year, over Kent State and FBC school VMI, but most of its losses have been close. The Bobcats also enter the game missing their top rusher for the rest of the year to injury in running back Donte Harden. Ohio's aerial attack has been less than impressive, with quarterback Boo Jackson throwing about as many interceptions as he has touchdowns.

This is an important game for both teams as each has only one conference win so far this season and also look to still have a chance at the East Division crown if they can pull off a string of wins. Both teams will be well prepared but I give the Bulls an edge as they should be healthier and have some more standout players compared to an Ohio squad that is in a bit of a rebuilding mode.