Small College Power Poll: UIW, SFA, Lamar make huge jump; new team in Top 5

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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 (2-0) Last Week: 1 - The next two weeks will be challenging to the Bearkats with a road game at No. 24 Central Arkansas followed by the Battle of the Piney Woods.

  2. Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-0) Last Week: 2 - The Cru handled their business in last week’s road game. UMHB returns home to host rival Hardin-Simmons this week.

  3. Kilgore (3-0) Last Week: 3 - Kilgore rolled to a 34-0 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last week but a challenge awaits this week with a road game at No. 12 New Mexico Military Institute.

  4. Hardin-Simmons (3-0) Last Week: 4 - The Cowboys struggled against Belhaven at home last week. Maybe they were looking ahead to this week’s rivalry game at No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor.

  5. Midwestern State (3-0) Last Week: 7 - The Mustangs halftime adjustments have been superb through their first three games. This team is playing with a large chip on its shoulder.

  6. UIW (2-1) Last Week: 11 - UIW jumps a few spots this week after traveling to San Marcos and defeating FBS Texas State. The Cardinals begin Southland Conference play this week.

  7. Trinity Valley (3-0) Last Week: 5 - The Cardinals remained focused in a 60-18 win over Southern-Shreveport. A dangerous Tyler team visits this week.

  8. Trinity (2-0) Last Week: 8 - Trinity made a big statement with a 51-14 win over Texas Lutheran last week. The Tigers have a week off before a huge showdown at Berry.

  9. SFA (2-1) Last Week: 13 - The Lumberjacks easily dispatched Mississippi Valley State last week and will roll against a team in its inaugural season this week before meeting No. 1 Sam Houston.

  10. Texas A&M-Commerce (1-2) Last Week: 9 - The Lions held the lead at halftime against No. 1 West Florida before falling 35-17. A tough trip to Kingsville awaits the Lions this week.

  11. UTPB (2-1) Last Week: 10 - The Falcons allowed three touchdowns in the final minutes against Abilene Christian resulting in a 34-9 loss. The Falcons take a trip to Western New Mexico this week.

  12. East Texas Baptist (2-1) Last Week: 12 - The ETBU defense came up with some huge stops in the red zone to defeat McMurry 24-15. This week features an intriguing matchup against Howard Payne.

  13. Howard Payne (3-0) Last Week: 15 - HPU was impressive last week defeating a solid Hendrix squad 55-21. The Yellow Jackets can make a big statement this week at ETBU.

  14. Tyler (2-1) Last Week: 17 - Quarterback General Booty is living up to the family tradition and had another dominating performance against Rezolution Prep Academy last week.

  15. Texas Wesleyan (2-1) Last Week: 14 - A tough first quarter cost the Rams in a 45-31 loss to No. 18 Ottawa (Ariz.). However, the Rams outscored the Spirit 31-24 over the final three quarters.

  16. Angelo State (2-1) Last Week: 6 - The Rams’ offense struggled to move the ball against MSU last week after ASU’s starting quarterback departed early in the game due to an injury.

  17. West Texas A&M (2-1) Last Week: 16 - The Buffs rebounded with a nice 42-14 win at home over Western New Mexico. WT hosts a big game this week with a regional matchup against No. 5 Colorado School of Mines.

  18. Tarleton (1-2) Last Week: 20 - Tarleton provided a second consecutive thrilling small college game at Choctaw Stadium last week. Unfortunately, the Texans were on the wrong side of a 40-35 outcome against Southern Utah.

  19. SAGU (2-1) Last Week: 21 - The Lions were dynamic early in a 38-21 win over NCAA D-III Millsap. A long trip to Arizona Christian awaits SAGU this week.

  20. Navarro (1-2) Last Week: 18 - The Bulldogs had opportunities against NMMI but ultimately fell 39-31. A trip to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M provides a rebound opportunity.

  21. Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-1) Last Week: 23 - Are you not impressed? The Javelinas continue to improve each week and defeated Eastern New Mexico 36-10 last week.

  22. Abilene Christian (2-1) Last Week: 25 - ACU has defeated two sub-FCS programs at home in the past two weeks. WAC play begins this week with a trip to meet Lamar.

  23. Lamar (2-1) Last Week: 31 - A thrilling overtime win on the road against Northern Colorado should provide confidence for the Cardinals ahead of its WAC opener against ACU.

  24. McMurry (0-2) Last Week: 26 - McMurry must believe they could’ve won at ETBU last week but turnovers in the red zone proved costly. The War Hawks return home to host Southwestern.

  25. Prairie View A&M (2-1) Last Week: 27 - The Panthers rallied in the second half for a 37-27 win over Houston Baptist. The always entertaining State Fair Classic against Grambling at the Cotton Bowl is this week.

  26. Blinn (1-1) Last Week: 33 - The Buccaneers went on the road and pulled off the 27-26 win over Cisco. Blinn will carry the momentum from the win into a home game against Louisiana Community Christian.

  27. Cisco (1-2) Last Week: 19 - The bye week comes at a good time for a Cisco team struggling early in the season after a tough 27-26 loss to Blinn. 

  28. Texas Lutheran (1-2) Last Week: 22 - TLU ran into a solid Trinity team leading to a 51-14 defeat. The Bulldogs head to Alpine to meet Sul Ross State this week.

  29. Wayland Baptist (1-2) Last Week 24 - Last Saturday’s 50-0 road loss to Langston is a step back for WBU. Not because of the loss but because of the differential.

  30. Southwestern (1-2) Last Week: 28 - The Pirates were overwhelmed against top-ranked UMHB at home last week. SU meets an improved McMurry squad on the road this week.

  31. Austin College (1-1) Last Week: 32 - The ‘Roos escaped Alpine with a nice 16-7 win over Sul Ross last week. A trip to Mississippi to meet Belhaven awaits.

  32. Sul Ross State (0-2) Last Week: 30 - The Lobos defense has been solid early this year which bodes well against a tough Texas Lutheran team this week.

  33. Houston Baptist (0-3) Last Week: 29 - The Huskies were leading at the half before an injury to their starting quarterback derailed the offense.

  34. Texas Southern (0-2) Last Week: 34 - TSU had an extra week to prepare for a trip to Rice. The Tigers will be battled tested when they return to SWAC action.

  35. Texas College (0-3) Last Week: 35 - The struggles continued for TC last week with a 68-0 loss to an angry Oklahoma Panhandle State team.

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