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.
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Sam Houston (2-0) Last Week: 1 - The defending national champions were challenged early before pulling away late in a 52-14 win over Southeast Missouri.
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Mary Hardin-Baylor (2-0) Last Week: 2 - We knew the Cru had an elite defense, but their ability to run the ball this season will be the key during the playoffs.
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Kilgore (2-0) Last Week: 3 - The Rangers have been dominant in their first two games of the season, but challenges remain in the always challenging SWJCFC.
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Hardin-Simmons (2-0) Last Week: 4 - HSU must avoid the classic trap game this week ahead of their trip to rival Mary Hardin-Baylor.
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Trinity Valley (2-0) Last Week: 6 - TVCC handled business in its conference opener last week and shouldn’t be challenged until Week 5.
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Angelo State (2-0) Last Week: 7 - ASU needed a second half comeback to win on the road last week. However, the Rams can ill afford to fall that far behind this week in a Top 20 matchup.
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Midwestern State (2-0) Last Week: 20 - The game nearly got out of hand for MSU last week, but coach Bill Maskill has preached persistence with this team, and they showed it last week.
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Trinity (1-0) Last Week: 9 - The Tigers opened their season with a resounding 64-0 win over MacAlester at home last week. A tougher opponent awaits this week.
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Texas A&M-Commerce (1-1) Last Week: 5 - The Lions have an opportunity to reassert themselves back into the playoff picture when the defending D-II national champs visit this week.
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UTPB (2-0) Last Week: 12 - The Falcons’ eight straight win last week may have been its most impressive win in program history.
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UIW (1-1) Last Week: 10 - The Cardinals rebounded with a nice 40-9 win in their home opener over Prairie View A&M. A trip to San Marcos and Texas State is on tap this week.
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East Texas Baptist (1-1) Last Week: 11 - The Tigers offense struggled against the elite UMHB defense, but ETBU remains a team that can make noise this year.
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SFA (1-1) Last Week: 14 - I thought SFA would cover the 29-point spread against Texas Tech, but even I didn’t think they’d have a chance to win. The ‘Jacks are improving every week.
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Texas Wesleyan (2-0) Last Week: 17 - It’s time to start believing in the Rams this year. What Joe Prud’homme has done resurrecting this program five years ago is impressive.
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Howard Payne (2-0) Last Week: 16 - The offense was humming again last week in a win over McMurry, but the defense will need to keep improving to compete at the top of the ASC.
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West Texas A&M (1-1) Last Week: 8 - The loss to UTPB doesn’t eliminate the Buffs from achieving their goals this year, but another loss this season may be detrimental to any playoff hopes.
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Tyler (1-1) Last Week: 19 - A shootout is typically in store when the Apaches meet Navarro and last week was another thrilling contest.
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Navarro (1-1) Last Week: 15 - Navarro fell too far behind in the first half in the Bulldogs 69-57 shootout loss to Tyler last week. Navarro has a Top 15 opponent this week with New Mexico Military Institute.
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Cisco (1-1) Last Week: 13 - The Wranglers had a “get right” game against RPA last week to prepare for another SWJCFC game with Blinn this week.
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Tarleton (1-1) Last Week: 18 - The Texans transition to Division I has been smoother than nearly anyone imagined. Todd Whitten and staff have done a tremendous job.
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SAGU (1-1) Last Week: 21 - SAGU put up a good fight against a nationally ranked opponent last week and now prepare for a D-III foe.
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Texas Lutheran (1-1) Last Week: 22 - The Bulldogs rebounded from a disappointing first week with a resounding 41-7 win over Austin College. A challenge against Trinity awaits.
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Texas A&M-Kingsville (1-1) Last Week: 30 - I’m not going to say the Javelinas are back, but they are one of the most improved teams under coach Mike Salinas.
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Wayland Baptist (1-1) Last Week 24 - The Pioneers looked solid in their Sooner Athletic Conference opener against Lyon last week. WBU will try to build off that win against Langston.
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Abilene Christian (1-1) Last Week: 25 - The headline for the Wildcats last week was receiver Kobe Clark moving into eighth on the ACU career receptions list with No. 150.
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McMurry (0-1) Last Week: 27 - The improvement in the War Hawks during coach Jordan Neal’s tenure is nothing short of remarkable, but they are still a year or two away from the top of the ASC.
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Prairie View A&M (1-1) Last Week: 23 - PVAMU struggled against one of the top teams in the Southland Conference last week. The Panthers have another Southland opponent this week with Houston Baptist.
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Southwestern (1-1) Last Week: 34 - Quarterback Landry Gilpin was terrific for the Pirates last week, helping SU break a nine-game losing streak dating back to November 2019.
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Houston Baptist (0-2) Last Week: 26 - HBU may struggle with consistency this season due to the amount of youth at key positions.
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Sul Ross State (0-1) Last Week: 31 - Coaches don’t like moral victories, but the Lobos put up a good fight against Hardin-Simmons last week.
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Lamar (1-1) Last Week: 28 - The Cardinals predictably struggled against a solid UTSA last week. We’ll have a better idea about Lamar after this week against Northern Colorado.
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Austin College (0-1) Last Week: 29 - The ‘Roos need to put the loss to Texas Lutheran behind them and focus on Sul Ross State this week.
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Blinn (0-1) Last Week: 33 - The Buccaneers struggled against a Kilgore team expected to compete for the national title. Another quality opponent awaits this week in Cisco.
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Texas Southern (0-2) Last Week: 32 - The Tigers have a bye week before traveling to Rice for their second consecutive game against an FBS opponent.
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Texas College (0-2) Last Week: 35 - The Steers rebuilding project continues under first year head coach Greg Ellis. TC could surprise a conference team later in the year.
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