Texas Longhorns Nearly Pass Kansas in the Bleacher Report Top 25

After passing its first two tests of the season, Texas has almost done enough to pass Kansas as the top team in the Bleacher Report Top 25.

The Longhorns knocked off North Carolina two weeks ago in convincing fashion, then did the same thing to defend their home floor against Michigan State.

Texas ranks first in the nation in defensive efficiency and 14th in offensive efficiency, which has allowed the Longhorns to dominate both ends of the floor.

At this point, Rick Barnes' club can cruise into conference play with a schedule littered with cupcakes until the next real test comes January 16th against Texas A&M.

Kansas keeps the top spot for now, and the Jayhawks have a chance to re-strengthen their grip on first, with several tough opponents coming up.

Over the next two weeks, Kansas will head to Temple and Tennessee as well as host Cornell at home.

KU needs these games to bolster its non-conference schedule, which took a hit when California, Michigan, and UCLA failed to live up to expectations.

The final six unbeaten teams remain unchanged at the top of the poll: Kentucky, Syracuse, Purdue, and West Virginia round out the top six.

If you're a Bleacher Report member and interested in voting in the Bleacher Report Top 25 poll, email Jameson Fleming at [e-mail] to receive a ballot.

Ranking, Team (record through Sunday), votes (first place votes), ranking last week

1. Kansas 11-0, 317 (8), Last Week: 1

2. Texas 11-0, 310 (3), Last Week: 2

3. Kentucky 13-0, 302 (1), Last Week: 3

4. Syracuse 12-0, 290 (1), Last Week: 4

5. Purdue 11-0, 274, Last Week: 5

6. West Virginia 10-0, 257, Last Week: 6

7. Duke 9-1, 241, Last Week: 7

8. Villanova 11-1, 239, Last Week: 8

9. Michigan State 9-3, 202, Last Week: 9

10. Connecticut 9-2, 188, Last Week: 10

11. North Carolina 9-3, 178, Last Week: 11

12. Georgetown 9-1, 174, Last Week: 12

13. Kansas State 11-1, 158, Last Week: 15

14. Ohio State 10-2, 150, Last Week: 14

15. Tennessee 9-2, 140, Last Week: 13

16. Clemson 11-2, 121, Last Week: 18

17. Washington 9-2, 103, Last Week: 21

18. Mississippi 10-2, 93, Last Week: 19

19. Wisconsin 10-2, 84, Last Week: 20

20. New Mexico 12-1, 76, Last Week: 17

21. Florida 8-3, 54, Last Week: 16

22. Texas Tech 10-1, 52, Last Week: 22

23. Oklahoma State 10-1, 30, Last Week: Not Ranked

24. Texas A&M 9-3, 27, Last Week: Not Ranked

25. Northwestern 10-1, 24, Last Week: Not Ranked

Others Receiving Votes: Florida State 22, Georgia Tech 20, UNLV 15, Temple 15, Gonzaga 14, Mississippi State 11, Miami 11, Dayton 10, Wichita State 8, Missouri State 5, Pittsburgh 2, St. John's 1,  UAB 1, Northern Iowa 1, Southern California 1, Cincinnati 1

Participants: Jameson Fleming, Ben Gibson, Dan Lyons, Drew Gatewood, Paul Swaney, Jesse Kramer, Dan Karell, Mark Fodor, Aaron Morse, Jonathan Lintner, Tiger Histalmos, Zachary Osterman, Kevin Lindsey