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. 

In Week 9, a clear top-two established itself at the top of the state – but the middle of the state has quickly become a jumbled mess. 

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

1. Texas A&M Aggies (-)

Record: 4-1
Previous: 42-31 
Next: at South Carolina

The Aggies are riding high as the top team in the state. Arkansas has been feisty this season, but Texas A&M put together its best win over the Razorbacks since 2016, and maybe earlier. Has Kellen Mond turned a corner? With tight end Jalen Wydermyer playing the way he is, maybe so. 

2. SMU Mustangs (-)

Record: 5-1
Previous: 51-37 win over Navy
Next: at Temple

Don't let the final score fool you – SMU was dominant in its first game since losing to Cincinnati. Ulysses Bentley dominated the game, reaching nearly 200 all-purpose yards and putting Navy away early. All four remaining games are perfectly winnable.  

3. Texas Longhorns (+4)

Record: 4-2
Previous: 41-34 win over Oklahoma State
Next: vs. West Virginia

We've heard all about Tom Herman's record as an underdog the past few years, but it's been a while since the Longhorns have leveraged it into performance. Well, Oklahoma State was the proud recipient of a Sam Ehlinger punch. Beleive it or not, the win suddenly puts the Longhorns back in the Big 12 championship race, something that felt impossible just two weeks ago after the loss to OU. 

4. Rice Owls (+6)

Record: 1-1
Previous: 30-6 win over Southern Miss
Next: vs. UTSA

The Owls are back! Austin Trammell is staking his claim as one of the state's top receivers and the defense was absolutely suffocating against one of the nation's most underrated quarterbacks. Keep an eye on this time. 

5. TCU Horned Frogs (-)

Record: 2-3
Previous: 33-23 win over Baylor
Next: vs. Texas Tech

The Horned Frogs showed a whole lot of nice things through the first 20 minutes of the game and then put on a masterclass in not finishing football games. I'm far more encouraged by the performances of Darwin Barlow and Quentin Johnston, though, so the Frogs deserve to stay high. 

6. Houston Cougars (-3)

Record: 2-2
Previous: 44-21 loss to UCF
Next: at Cincinnati

For the first time this season, the Coogs look totally overmatched. Giving up a number of points to UCF's offense is one thing, but turning the ball over and struggling to move the ball against a Knights defense missing five starters is much worse. If Houston can't compete with UCF, games against Cincinnati, SMU and Memphis don't feel encouraging. 

7. UTSA Roadrunners (-3)

Record: 4-4
Previous: 24-3 loss to FAU
Next: at Rice

Like Houston, the Roadrunners were overmatched for the first time. FAU's defense immediately realized Frank Harris couldn't get the ball downfield and their quick DBs caused Sincere McCormick major issues. It's back to the drawing board for this offense. 

8. UTEP Miners

Record: 3-3
Previous: Game postponed against North Texas
Next: vs. FIU

The Miners had a game postponed against North Texas due to COVID-19. 

9. North Texas Mean Green

Record: 2-3
Previous: Game postponed against UTEP
Next: vs. Louisiana Tech

The Mean Green had a game postponed against UTEP due to COVID-19. 

10. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Record: 2-4
Previous: 62-28 loss to Oklahoma
Next: at TCU

Everything we liked about the Henry Colombi-led Red Raiders disappeared almost immediately against Oklahoma. Granted, the Sooners are starting to figure things out – we'll treat this one as a mulligan. For now. 

11. Baylor Bears

Record: 1-3
Previous: 33-23 loss to TCU
Next: at Iowa State

The Bears' offense is awful. It barely averages 300 yards per game and 4.4 yards per play. Until something changes, how can we take this team seriously? 

12. Texas State Bobcats

Record: 1-7
Previous: 44-34 loss to Louisiana
Next: vs. App State

The Bobcats keep looking good against better opponents, but how much does that mean eight games into the season?