Small College Power Poll: Plenty of change in the Top 10

Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Small College Power Poll for Week 9 features Sam Houston, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Trinity, SFA, UIW, Texas Wesleyan, 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 (7-0) Last Week: 1 - The Bearkats have a remarkable 18-game winning streak which should extend another game this week. 

  2. Mary Hardin-Baylor (8-0) Last Week: 2 - The Crusaders’ defense is playoff ready, having allowed a mere 68 total points this season.

  3. Trinity (7-0) Last Week: 3 - Quarterback Tucker Horn is having a fantastic season for the Tigers with a defense capable of making noise in the playoffs.

  4. Hardin-Simmons (7-1) Last Week: 4 - The Cowboys’ defense kept the Howard Payne offense in check with five interceptions last week.

  5. SFA (5-3) Last Week: 5 - The ‘Jacks are primed to pull off the upset at home against No. 19 Eastern Kentucky this week.

  6. UIW (6-2) Last Week: 6 - The Cardinals’ hopes of earning a bid to the FCS playoffs depends on a win over No. 8 Southeastern La. this week.

  7. Midwestern State (6-2) Last Week: 9 - The Mustangs offense is explosive and had five touchdowns of 55 or more yards last week.

  8. Prairie View A&M (6-1) Last Week: 7 - The Panthers’ can lock up a spot in the SWAC title game with a win and Alcorn State loss this week.

  9. Texas Wesleyan (6-2) Last Week: 8 - Texas Wesleyan has secured its first winning season since resurrecting the program years ago.

  10. Texas A&M-Commerce (6-3) Last Week: 11 - The Lions’ slim playoff hopes can receive a boost with a road win over Angelo State this week.

  11. Angelo State (7-2) Last Week: 14 - The Rams are playing their best football of the season and can secure a playoff spot with a win this week.

  12. Blinn (5-3) Last Week: 13 - The Buccaneers must defeat Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to have any shot at making the SWJCFC semifinals.

  13. Howard Payne (6-2) Last Week: 12 - The fact we were talking about HPU being a conference title contender shows the incredible job by Jason Bachtel and staff.

  14. Tyler (5-3) Last Week: 17 - A last second 46-yard field goal kept the Apaches hopes of earning a playoff spot alive.

  15. SAGU (6-3) Last Week: 18 - The Lions will cruise this week ahead of their showdown with Langston in two weeks.

  16. Trinity Valley (5-3) Last Week: 10 - Injuries have decimated the Cardinals this year and left TVCC needing help to make the playoffs.

  17. UTPB (4-3) Last Week: 15 - The Falcons’ offense struggled against one of the best defenses in the country last week.

  18. West Texas A&M (5-4) Last Week: 20 - Defeating rival MSU this week would be a huge boost to the WTAMU program in need of good vibes.

  19. Tarleton (4-4) Last Week: 21 - The Texans gave the defending national champions a true fight last week.

  20. Cisco (4-4) Last Week: 16 - The Wranglers can secure a playoff spot with a win this week despite the heartbreaking loss last Saturday.  

  21. East Texas Baptist (4-4) Last Week: 19 - The ETBU offense was stymied in the second half of a disappointing loss to TLU.

  22. Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-4) Last Week: 22 - The improvement of the Javelinas under coach Mike Salinas is nothing short of remarkable.

  23. Kilgore (4-4) Last Week: 25 - The Rangers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 34-19 win over No. 15 Trinity Valley last week.

  24. Navarro (4-4) Last Week: 23 - Navarro can’t make the playoffs, but they can ruin Cisco’s playoff hopes this week.

  25. Abilene Christian (4-4) Last Week: 24 - A second consecutive road game against a quality opponent awaits the Wildcats this week.

  26. Texas Southern (3-5) Last Week: 27 - TSU scored the most points against a SWAC opponent since 2015 in a 59-17 win over UAPB.

  27. Texas Lutheran (3-5) Last Week: 30 - The Bulldogs are an improving team and building momentum for the offseason.

  28. Southwestern (2-6) Last Week: 32 - This week’s game against TLU is an under the radar great game waiting to happen.

  29. Sul Ross State (2-5) Last Week: 33 - The “Battle of I-20” trophy remains in Alpine after a convincing 24-11 win over McMurry.

  30. McMurry (2-5) Last Week: 26 - The last two weeks feel like a step back for the War Hawks program continuing to rebuild.

  31. Lamar (2-6) Last Week: 28 - Lamar is in need of a win this week on the road against Tarleton.

  32. Wayland Baptist (2-6) Last Week 29 - It’s tough to see another win for WBU this season with two of the top SAC teams on tap.

  33. Austin College (1-6) Last Week: 31 - Another win for Austin College this season would be a major upset.

  34. Texas College (0-9) Last Week: 34 - Recruiting and player development will be critical for Greg Ellis and staff to build the Steers program.

  35. Houston Baptist (0-8) Last Week: 35 - This week against Northwestern State may be the Huskies’ best hope remaining for a win this year.

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