Nine of the 10 FCS teams in the state of Texas have played at least two games so far in the 2026 season. And with the Southland Conference starting conference play so early, we already have an idea of some of the contenders – like SFA and Lamar – and the pretenders – East Texas A&M – across the state.  

Elsewhere, Tarleton earned a win over an FBS team for the second straight year when the Texans knocked off Bowling Green on the road. And Prairie View A&M – the defending SWAC champions – made a statement in a blowout win over rival Texas Southern. 

Here is the updated FCS Power Poll. 

1. Tarleton State 

The Texans are 2-0 with wins over defending SWAC champion Prairie View A&M and Bowling Green, making it two straight years with a win over an FBS program. The hot start moved Tarleton from No. 5 to No. 4 in the FCS Top 25, behind only the two powerhouse Montana schools and South Dakota State. Running back Tylan Hines leads the FCS with 434 rushing yards. 

2. SFA 

The defending Southland Conference champions look like the team to beat again in 2026 after convincing wins over McNeese on the road and East Texas A&M at home. The Jacks moved up from 11th to 9th in the latest FCS Top 25 Poll and are the only 2-0 team in SLC play. They travel to Abilene Christian this Saturday in a prove-it game for both teams that will have playoff implications. 

3. Lamar

Pete Rossomando’s program has improved each year he’s been at the helm and that trajectory continues to start the 2026 season. The Cardinals made a statement in Week 0 when they knocked off defending UAC co-champion ACU, proving they’re a playoff team that could make real noise in the Southland race. A loss to FBS Louisiana shouldn’t be held against the group. A trip to Idaho this weekend provides another opportunity to bounce back.  

4. ACU 

The Wildcats are the best 0-2 in the FCS ranks. They began the season with a road loss to a Top 20 Lamar team and then fell to nationally ranked Texas Tech on the road last weekend. The good news for Abilene Christian is that it’s a home game up next. The bad news is that it is against a Top 10 SFA squad with momentum and confidence. 

5. Prairie View A&M 

The Panthers are 1-1 with a loss at Tarleton and a win against rival Texas Southern in the Labor Day Classic. That loss to the Texans in Week 0 looks better considering how well Prairie View moved the ball compared to Bowling Green. Tevin Carter is 14th in the FCS in passing yards with 531 and is sixth in the nation in points responsible for with 44. 

6. UTRGV 

It is hard to know too much about the Vaqueros because they haven’t played an FCS peer through the first two weeks of the season. They crushed Division II UTPB and then were blown out last weekend by the FBS’ UTSA. We’ll finally get a chance to see UTRGV play an FCS team this weekend on the road against Nicholls.

7. UIW 

Clint Killough’s offense scored 76 points in a route over Oklahoma Panhandle to start the season and then the Cardinals received an early open date. That means they’ll play 11 straight weeks to close the season. 

8. Houston Christian

The surprise team in Texas through the first two weeks of the FCS season has been Houston Christian. The Huskies started the year with an upset win on the road against a Southeastern Louisiana team that many considered the SLC favorite. They came back to earth in the loss against Rice last week, but that shouldn’t dampen the momentum. Arkansas Baptist is up next.

9. East Texas A&M 

The Lions played well in a 23-15 loss on the road to Mercer, a Top 25 team in the FCS entering the season. But a disappointing showing in the 44-7 defeat against SFA on the road put East Texas A&M back at square one. The matchup this week against Northwestern State feels like a must win with Tulsa around the corner. 

10. Texas Southern 

Prairie View A&M blew them out in the Labo Day Class, holding a 52-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the game. It was a letdown for a Tigers team that started the year with a win and had hopes of competing for a SWAC division title. A trip to El Paso to face a UTEP team in need of a win looms.