Small College Power Poll: One team returns to Top 5 amid crazy week

Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Small College Power Poll for Week 7 features Sam Houston State, Mary Hardin Baylor, Trinity University, UIW, PVAMU, Angelo State and more.
Cory Hogue

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

Note: Teams are measured against the overall strength of their conference. 

  1. Sam Houston (5-0) Last Week: 1 - The toughest remaining regular season test for the defending national champs is this week against No. 22 Jacksonville State.

  2. Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-0) Last Week: 2 - The Cru keeps rolling but must continue to improve for more demanding challenges during the playoffs.

  3. Trinity (5-0) Last Week: 4 - The Tigers’ offense is getting better each week while their defense is shutting out opponents.

  4. UIW (5-1) Last Week: 5 - The schedule is not easy for UIW with a home game against No. 11 Southeastern Louisiana and a road trip to Nicholls remaining.

  5. Hardin-Simmons (5-1) Last Week: 6 - What the Cowboys’ defense did to stifle a solid ETBU offense was impressive.

  6. Trinity Valley (5-1) Last Week: 3 - It feels like a loss was bound to happen with so much parity in the SWJCFC.

  7. SFA (3-3) Last Week: 7 - Week 11 at Central Arkansas should be the next tough challenge on the ‘Jacks schedule.

  8. Howard Payne (6-0) Last Week: 8 - The Yellow Jackets survived and remained undefeated. However, HPU must play better moving forward.

  9. Prairie View A&M (5-1) Last Week: 10 - The Panthers have been impressive this year, but a tough road test against rival Southern awaits this week.

  10. Midwestern State (5-1) Last Week: 11 - The Mustangs travel to renew their rivalry with former conference foe Tarleton this week.

  11. Blinn (4-2) Last Week: 18 - The Buccaneers are realizing their potential in the last few weeks. However, beware of the game at Tyler this week.

  12. Texas Wesleyan (4-2) Last Week: 9 - A tough road loss to No. 22 Langston eliminated the Rams hopes of an at-large NAIA playoff berth.

  13. West Texas A&M (4-3) Last Week: 13 - The Wagon Wheel remains in Canyon, Texas, after the Buffs domination of rival Eastern New Mexico.

  14. Angelo State (5-2) Last Week: 17 - The Rams have been inconsistent this season, but the win over UTPB was impressive.

  15. UTPB (3-2) Last Week: 12 - Road games are challenging in the LSC, which doesn’t bode well for the Falcons this season.

  16. SAGU (4-3) Last Week: 16 - The Lions have a chance to continue a nice winning streak over the next three weeks.

  17. East Texas Baptist (3-3) Last Week: 14 - ETBU will be favored to win its remaining games with the top teams from the ASC in their rearview mirror.

  18. Tyler (3-3) Last Week: 15 - Tyler struggled on the road against No. 6 NMMI last week. A big home game awaits against Blinn.

  19. Texas A&M-Commerce (4-3) Last Week: 21 - David Bailiff and the Lions need a road win over West Texas A&M this week to silence the fan base.

  20. Abilene Christian (4-3) Last Week: 22 - Peyton Mansell was terrific in relief of an injured Stone Earle to lead the Wildcats to victory over Lamar.

  21. Cisco (3-3) Last Week: 19 - Cisco will need to play much better on the road this week to compete with No. 6 New Mexico Military Institute.  

  22. Kilgore (3-3) Last Week: 20 - The Rangers can make a statement for the entire SWJCFC with a win over No. 8 Snow this week.

  23. Tarleton (3-3) Last Week: 23 - The Texans’ transition to FCS is going well, as evidenced by a 41-20 road win over Dixie State.

  24. McMurry (2-3) Last Week: 25 - The War Hawks have a lot of weapons on offense and an improving defense.

  25. Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-3) Last Week: 24 - The Javelinas make the long trip to Silver City, N.M. to meet Western New Mexico this week.

  26. Texas Southern (2-4) Last Week: 26 - The Tigers must correct their turnover issues this week to defeat Alcorn State.

  27. Navarro (3-4) Last Week: 27 - Navarro has a considerable challenge ahead on the road this week against an angry Trinity Valley team.

  28. Lamar (2-4) Last Week: 28 - Blane Morgan has done a tremendous job thus far with the Cardinals and nearly pulled off the upset over ACU.

  29. Southwestern (1-5) Last Week: 30 - Southwestern’s defense was solid against Howard Payne and will depend on that unit against Hardin-Simmons this week.

  30. Wayland Baptist (2-5) Last Week 29 - The Pioneers have a needed bye week following a heartbreaking loss to Louisiana College in the final seconds.

  31. Sul Ross State (1-4) Last Week: 31 - The brutal schedule continues for the Lobos, with No. 2 UMHB visiting Alpine, Texas, this week.

  32. Texas Lutheran (1-5) Last Week: 32 - The Bulldogs have talent and need a win this week to boost their confidence.

  33. Austin College (1-4) Last Week: 33 - Austin College is feeling the challenge of playing in the American Southwest Conference.

  34. Texas College (0-7) Last Week: 35 - The Steers move up following a 33-32 loss to Lyon last week showing the players are fighting for coach Greg Ellis.

  35. Houston Baptist (0-6) Last Week: 34 - A win this season remains possible for HBU but probably not against Nicholls this week.

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