Small College Power Poll: New No. 1 team

Dave Campbell's Texas Football ranks the small college teams playing football in 2021, including Mary Hardin-Baylor, Sam Houston, Hardin-Simmons, Incarnate Word, Midwestern State, Texas Lutheran, Tarleton, Trinity and more!
Cory Hogue

Each week Dave Campbell’s Texas Football staff gives their power rankings of the small college football teams in Texas.

Note: Teams are measured against the overall strength of their conference. Only teams that have played are ranked.

  1. Sam Houston (2-0) Last Week: 2 - The Bearkats destroyed No. 7 Nicholls at home, but the coaching staff still will have areas to improve. The ceiling for this team is very high. NEXT: at Lamar at 6 p.m. Mar. 20.

  2. Hardin-Simmons (3-0) Last Week: 3 - Moving the Cowboys above their arch-rival may raise some eyebrows, but HSU has been more impressive in all facets this year.  NEXT: at Sul Ross State at 1 p.m. Mar. 20.

  3. Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-0) Last Week: 1 - UMHB needs a win this week to secure a spot in the ASC title game and a game against rival Hardin-Simmons. NEXT: at vs Louisiana College at noon Mar. 20.

  4. UIW (2-0) Last Week: 4 - The Cardinals schedule becomes more challenging moving forward beginning with this week’s contest. NEXT: vs Southeastern La at 2 p.m. Mar. 20.

  5. Midwestern State (1-0) Last Week: 5 - The Mustangs have a chance to make a statement this week against its rival. MSU will need its run game to have a shot at pulling the upset. NEXT: at Tarleton at 6 p.m. Mar. 20.

  6. Texas Lutheran (3-1) Last Week: 6 - The Bulldogs clinched the No. 2 seed in the ASC West and the right to host the No. 2 seed from the ASC East in two weeks. NEXT: vs TBD on Mar. 27.

  7. Tarleton (3-2) Last Week: 7 - Tarleton has its first two-game winning streak of the spring and welcomes an old rival this week. The Texans should have a nice crowd on Homecoming weekend. NEXT: vs Midwestern State at 6 p.m. on Mar. 20.

  8. Trinity (3-1) Last Week: 8 - The Tigers finished their spring season with a resounding 38-15 win over Birmingham Southern. Trinity could be dangerous in the fall. NEXT: Fall 2021 season.

  9. Southwestern Assemblies of God (2-0) Last Week: 9 - The Lions are in the middle of a two-week bye which could be a huge advantage when they host the potent Firestorm offense. NEXT: vs Arizona Christian at noon Mar. 27.

  10. East Texas Baptist (2-2) Last Week: 10 - The Tigers look locked into the No. 3 seed in the ASC East and could meet Howard Payne in the ASC crossover game. NEXT: TBD on Mar. 27.

  11. UTPB (3-0) Last Week: 11 - The Falcons defense came to play in the elevation in Silver City, N.M. last week. UTPB has another long road trip this week. NEXT: at Texas A&M-Kingsville at 1 p.m. on Mar. 20.

  12. Prairie View A&M (2-0) Last Week: 13 - The PVAMU defense will be a force all spring and put in another impressive performance in the State Fair Classic last week. NEXT: vs Alabama A&M at noon on Mar. 20.

  13. Howard Payne (1-2) Last Week: 12 - The Yellow Jackets ran into the buzzsaw known as Hardin-Simmons last week. This week’s game against McMurry could be a classic. NEXT: vs McMurry at noon Mar. 20.

  14. Wayland Baptist (2-2) Last Week 14 - The Pioneers remain in a holding pattern with two more weeks until their next game. NEXT: at Ottawa (Ariz.) at noon Mar. 27.

  15. Austin College (1-3) Last Week: 15 - The ‘Roos had one of the most challenging spring schedules of any team in the country. Austin College will focus on playing a complete game for the fall. NEXT: Fall 2021 season.

  16. Lamar (1-2) Last Week: 21 - Lamar has improved leaps and bounds each week this spring and earned its first win under coach Blane Morgan. Their reward? Sam Houston. NEXT: vs Sam Houston at 6 p.m. on Mar. 20.

  17. Texas Southern (0-1) Last Week: 17 - TSU has had a week off to improve after its opening week. The Tigers next two games will be challenging. NEXT: vs Southern U at 7:30 p.m. Mar. 20.

  18. Southwestern (0-3) Last Week: 16 - A bad fourth quarter which saw the Pirates allow 21 points led to another tough loss. Southwestern will try to get in the win column at home this week. NEXT: vs. Belhaven at 1 p.m. on Mar. 20.

  19. McMurry (1-2) Last Week: 18 - McMurry has undoubtedly improved under coach Jordan Neal. The War Hawks face another team on the rise this week. NEXT: at Howard Payne at noon on Mar. 20.

  20. Texas A&M-Kingsville (0-1) Last Week: 19 - The Javelinas only have two games scheduled this spring. TAMUK has an opportunity to carry momentum into the fall with a win at home. NEXT: vs UTPB at 1 p.m. Mar. 20.

  21. Sul Ross State (0-3) Last Week: 20 - The Lobos have had a tough spring season. The schedule does not provide any relief this week. NEXT: vs Hardin-Simmons at 1 p.m. Mar. 20.

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