ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Texas Tech has moved up to No. 2 in the AP Poll, while Penn State remains No. 3 after a bye.

While this is a minor surprise, it shouldn't trigger panic among Nittany Lion Nation. At least not right now.

First off, the AP Poll doesn't count toward the BCS Standings, which will be out later today. And secondly, there's a lot of season left and more top-of-the-poll fluctuation on its way.

Here's the reality for Penn State. If both Alabama and Texas Tech win out, the Lions likely won't reach the national championship game. The SEC and Big 12 are regarded as stronger conferences, and looking at the Big Ten right now, it's hard to argue.

But the likelihood of both teams running the table remains slim. Penn State still has the easiest route to perfection. It wouldn't be shocking at all if Penn State finishes the season as the only unbeaten BCS-conference team.

The likelier debate will be whether a 1-loss team should jump Penn State in the BCS standings. The Big Ten isn't highly regarded nationally, and many don't want to see a third consecutive Big Ten team in the title game, even though Penn State had nothing to do with Ohio State's flops the last two years.

As a playoff advocate, I wish we didn't have this problem. Certainly several one-loss teams are worthy of competing for a national title, but Penn State has answered every challenge this season and usually done so in dominant fashion.

The most absurd argument I've heard is, "Well, an undefeated Penn State team has been left out before." As if it makes it right to do it again. That's garbage.

Penn State can't control the voting, but it can certainly help itself with blowout wins against its last three opponents, beginning this week at Iowa (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).