Even though it is exciting for the fans, it isn't too wise for a contending team to schedule such a big game this early. Even ND almost got knocked by GT.
I think you will see less and less of these type of games in the first 2 or 3 weeks in the future.
Actually, the head-to-head between Texas and Ohio State was planned 10 years ago when both schools were in the doldrums and neither probably thought this would have National Championship implications or they probably would have schedule it later.
Go back 10 years and the BCS computers would making strength-of-schedule almost as important as actually winning (much like the basketball tournament has become) so schools were dissed for playing a bunch of cupcakes outside of conference (see Nebraska and Auburn). Since then, Texas has always had one strong non-conference game although you just don't know what their fortunes would be like in 10 years.
I heard on the radio yesterday that UT isn't going to schedule a bunch of tough non-conference games anymore. I feel sorry for teams like North Texas State and some of the other small schools that get scheduled against these power houses. The schools make a lot of money, but the players need to play against schools they match up against.