Who runs this state? The Dave Campbell’s Texas Football staff gives their power rankings of the 12 FBS college football teams in Texas. In this subscriber-only piece, we'll give you detailed insight into our rankings.

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

1. SMU Mustangs (+1)

Record: 2-0
Previous: 65-35 win over North Texas
Next: vs. Stephen F. Austin

Every concern we had about the Mustangs immediately fell to the wayside after their destruction of North Texas. Xavier Jones is gone, but Ulysses Bentley is here. James Proche is gone, but Danny Gray is here. Every unit for SMU completely clicked in a way we often don't see later in the season. We'll need to see this confirmed against an AAC opponent, but SMU is riding fine.

2. Texas Longhorns (-1)

Record: 1-0
Previous: Bye
Next: at Texas Tech

The Longhorns had an off week after crushing UTEP in Week One. Sam Ehlinger looks insanely good in the offense and there's every reason to believe that the Longhorns are set to destroy the Big 12. That said, they fall down just a smidge just because SMU now has two good performances against FBS opponents; they should be back on top after next week.

3. UTSA Roadrunners (–)

Record: 2-0
Previous: 24-10 win over SFA
Next: vs. Middle Tennessee

UTSA has proven to be better than both teams it has played, and by quite a significant margin. The Birds went up 31-14 two weeks ago against Texas State, and followed it up with a 17-0 lead over SFA. It was a one-score game for most of the second half. Experiencing growing pains is a perfectly normal part of coming together as a team, especially with a new coaching staff and full-time quarterback. When everything clicks, this team could be special. 

4. Texas State Bobcats (+2)

Record: 1-2
Previous: 38-17 win over ULM
Next: at Boston College

The Bobcats finally pulled out one of these close games, and it felt real good. Texas State had not won a road game in years. They hadn't beaten an FBS opponent by three scores since facing off against Georgia State in the Panthers' second year as an FBS program in 2014. It doesn't matter whether ULM is bad; this win is big. The offense has grown dramatically since Jake Spavital took the reins. It's unclear what Spavital will now do with Brady McBride potentially available next week, but regardless, watch out.

5. North Texas Mean Green (-1)

Record: 1-1
Previous: 65-35 loss to SMU
Next: at Houston

Every bit of clarity we seemed to get from North Texas for its performance against Houston Baptist was quickly undone by a disastrous performance against SMU. There's getting beat by one of the nation's best, but this was a butt-kicking of epic proportions. The score was 34-7 at halftime, so the 30-point loss wasn't even representative of how bad UNT played. The last time UNT lost to SMU by this margin? 1941.

6. UTEP Miners (+1)

Record: 2-1
Previous: 17-13 win over Abilene Christian
Next: at ULM

The UTEP Miners have two wins for the first time since 2016. Sure, they might be FCS wins, but wins are wins just the same. UTEP's offense wasn't quite the same with Deion Hankins out of the lineup, but there are real some bright spots to take away. Continuing the performance against Sun Belt opponent ULM in a week? That would really make us pay attention.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders (-1)

Record: 1-0
Previous: Bye
Next: vs. Texas

Look, the math is simply that Texas Tech barely beat an FCS opponent, whereas UTEP has beaten two such opponents. Until the Red Raiders have more on their resume, they're in the cellar.