WHO'S NUMBER 1?

Now what? After an unbelievable ending in Lubbock, Tx on Saturday night, more questions were raised than answered on this weekend of college football. The biggest question...who's number 1?

The Texas Longhorns' improbable string of wins against stellar competition finally came to an end against Mike Leach's Red Raiders on Saturday night. The 'Horns had defeated #1 Oklahoma, #11 Missouri and #6 Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks, but were outscored by the seventh-ranked Red Raiders, 39-33, thanks to a sensational last-second touchdown by Michael Crabtree.

The loss leaves the top slot in the BCS Rankings open, and there are a number of willing candidates to fill that honor. Let's take a look at some of the top teams as we try to answer, who's number one?

ALABAMA
The most obvious choice to take over the top ranking could be #2 Alabama, who rolled over Arkanasas State (a team PSU was scheduled to play this year before the Lions swapped it out for Oregon State) at home, 35-0. But the Tide, despite all the hype it's gained, has not played consistently all season long and only has one victory against a top-25 BCS team.

That win came a few weeks ago against the Georgia Bulldogs, who forgot that they had a game today against the Florida Gators.

FLORIDA
The Gators sure do look mighty right now. Since losing at home to Mississippi, Florida has outscored its four subsequent opponents 201-43, including a 39-point beatdown of the Dawgs Saturday in Jacksonville. Had Florida not slipped up against the 'Rebs in the Swamp, they would probably be the new #1, but there still three BCS conference undefeated teams, and that's just too many right now to put the Gators up there.

OKLAHOMA
The Sooners were completely neutered by Texas in the Red River Rivalry a few weeks ago. One of the best teams in the country, the loss to the Longhorns put Oklahoma 1.5 games behind Texas and left them little chance to win their own division, let alone the conference or the national title. Oklahoma could play with, if not beat, any team in the country - but they'll need a lot of help before they regain number one.

PENN STATE
The Lions have been as consistent as anybody else in the country this year while dominating their schedule and rolling to a 9-0 record. They have lead every team they've played, except Ohio State, by at least 17 in the fourth quarter and have won every game by at least 14, except for the seven-point at the 'Shoe. Penn State has just as strong a case as Alabama to be ranked #1 after the Texas loss, but it would be unthinkable to have the Lions jump over the Tide during a week when they didn't even suit up to play.

TEXAS TECH
There's no question the Red Raiders had the most impressive victory this weekend, upending Texas, but Tech was only ranked seventh coming into the game and still has its toughest games ahead of it. Next week, the Raiders host Oklahoma State and a trip to Norman follows in a few weeks. An undefeated Texas Tech squad would have the strongest argument for the top spot at the end of the regular season, but right now, they haven't done enough.

USC
The Trojans have arguably the most talented roster in America, but a lack of focus against the Oregon State Beavers on a Thursday night in September continues to haunt USC. The Trojans would be a worthy number one, but they just haven't proved as much on the field as some of the other teams above. Still, like Oklahoma, if the right teams lose, USC could find itself back in the top spot, just not this week.

At this point in the season, arguing over who is number one does little more than waste the six unimportant days of week between Saturdays, but it could be an indicator of how the voters will lean when the poll really does matter. Expect to see Penn State in the top two when the polls are revealed tomorrow, but that could change as early as next week if both Alabama and Texas Tech win on Saturday.

The Longhorns' loss was great news for Penn State fans, but the Lions aren't homefree yet. Along with winning its final three games the way it won the first eight, Penn State likely needs either Alabama or Texas Tech to lose once if it wants to play in Miami on January 8th.