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 (-)

Record: 4-0
Previous: Bye
Next: at Tulane

The Mustangs had a bye week and are still the most unblemished team in the state.

2. Houston Cougars (NEW)

Record: 1-0
Previous: 49-31 win over Tulane
Next: vs. No. 15 BYU

After a slow start to the opener against Tulane, Houston caught fire. The Cougars went on a 46-7 run in the final three quarters. If not for a handful of silly mistakes early in the game, the scoreboard would have reflected the blowout that happened. Tougher games are ahead, but test one is complete. 

3. Texas A&M Aggies (+4)

Record: 2-1
Previous: 41-38 win over No. 4 Florida
Next: at Mississippi State

The Aggies picked up a huge win over Florida at Kyle Field, the biggest win of the Jimbo Fisher era since the seven-overtime matchup against LSU. Kellen Mond played perhaps the finest game of his career in the win. Suddenly, the rest of the schedule looks a whole lot more manageable. 

4. UTSA Roadrunners (-1)

Record: 3-2
Previous: 28-21 loss to No. 15 BYU
Next: vs. Army

The Roadrunners lost against BYU, but nothing interfered with the idea that UTSA will be a tough out in conference play. The Cougars have been merciless through the first few weeks, but UTSA managed to match up on both sides despite missing several key contributors due to injury. When everyone is healthy, this team has a surprisingly high ceiling. 

5. TCU Horned Frogs (-3)

Record: 1-2
Previous: 21-14 loss to Kansas State
Next: Bye

The offensive explosion against Texas looked more like a mirage on Saturday in Fort Worth. Kansas State is a far more disciplined team than Texas and the Horned Frogs struggled mightily to deal with K-State’s physicality. If TCU’s offense isn’t better than last year, can the Horned Frogs expect better results? 

6. UTEP Miners (-2)

Record: 3-2
Previous: 21-17 loss to Louisiana Tech
Next: vs. Southern Miss

The Miners had their first real test against a Louisiana Tech squad that won 10 games last season. While UTEP ruined its chances to win the game with penalties, it’s quite a statement that the Miners were in positions to win. The offense needs to find some rhythm again, but UTEP’s hot start to the season looks real. 

7. Baylor Bears (-1)

Record: 1-1
Previous: Bye
Next: vs. Oklahoma State

The Bears shut down practice because of COVID-19. Will Baylor be ready to go against Oklahoma State? It’s hard to say. 

8. Texas Longhorns (-3)

Record: 2-2
Previous: 53-45 loss to Oklahoma
Next: Bye

The Longhorns needed to win the Red River Shootout to stay above .500 in conference play, but Sam Ehlinger needed to play a masterful game just to send the game to overtime. At no point did Texas look like the better team on the field, and that’s a terrible sign for a Texas team that’s supposed to be in a culmination year with a senior quarterback. 

9. Texas State Bobcats (-1)

Record: 1-4
Previous: 37-17 loss to Troy
Next: at South Alabama

For the first time with Brady McBride in the lineup, Texas State looked impossibly overmatched. The Bobcats’ first field goal drive was effectively the highlight of the game. Jake Spavital played both McBride and Tyler Vitt trying to find offense and the pair still fell below 100 passing yards. Something has to give. 

10. Texas Tech Red Raiders (-1)

Record: 1-3
Previous: 31-15 loss to Iowa State
Next: Bye

Through three weeks, Texas Tech was at least competitive. Against Iowa State, the Red Raiders looked far more incompetent offensively. Heading into the fourth quarter, Texas Tech barely cleared 100 yards. If the Red Raiders are going to compete at any point in the Big 12, Tech needs to get far more from its passing game. The struggles are becoming a trend. 

11. North Texas Mean Green (-1)

Record: 1-3
Previous: 49-21 loss to Charlotte
Next: at Middle Tennessee

Since beating Houston Baptist in week one, UNT has looked completely overmatched. Losses to SMU, Southern Miss and Charlotte came by a combined 68 points. UNT is lucky that a game against Houston earlier in the year was cancelled or the record could be worse. A matchup with Middle Tennessee this week will show whether UNT could be one of the worst teams in Conference USA.

Not Ranked

• Rice Owls: Scheduled to open Oct. 24 against Middle Tennessee.