This is the Maroon & Golden Power Rankings for the 12 Texas FBS teams. We will update this throughout the season as we learn more about each team in 2019. This ranking is a purely subjective ranking based on how each team is trending and who we think is better than the next.
Texas – UT broke a three game home losing streak to the Oklahoma State Cowboys this week. Even though the Longhorns were favored and should have won, this was not a game that could be taken lightly. The Longhorns took care of business and are now tied for first in the Big 12. Final Score: 36-30
Texas A&M – A&M lost to Auburn at home. Even though the Aggies were underdogs and facing the number 8 ranked Auburn Tigers, I was expecting a better showing. They didn’t look like they belonged on the same field as Auburn. The Aggies did make a 4th quarter comeback run that fell short, but the final score looked much closer than this game actually was. Final Score: 28-20
SMU – The surprise team on this list, SMU is now 4-0 after beating #25 TCU at TCU. SMU has also now beaten two other teams on this list to shoot up the rankings. They have faced TCU, TXST, and UNT in back to back to back weeks and handled all 3. The biggest win though, coming this week against their rival TCU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Final Score: 41-38
Baylor – I still don’t know what to make of Baylor this year. They’re 3-0, but their wins include an FCS SFA, UTSA, and Rice. This week they beat Rice to remain undefeated after coming off a bye week, but they didn’t look great in the win either. Final Score: 21-13
Texas Tech – I feel the same about Tech as I do about Baylor. It’s hard to say if they are good this year or not. They were on a bye week this week, but they still have a 2-1 record after dropping last week’s game to Arizona. Their wins aren’t that impressive either. They have beaten FCS Montana State and UTEP, the last place team on this list. They have a big test this week as they take on #6 Oklahoma. I just can’t see that matchup going well for the Red Raiders.
TCU – TCU dropped a close one to their rival SMU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. This was a game the Horned Frogs were favored in and were playing at home. As mentioned earlier though, SMU seems to be the real deal. Rivalry games are also hard to predict and you have to think SMU came into the game with a chip on their shoulder. Final Score: 41-38
University of North Texas – UNT had no problem at all with UTSA this week. They held UTSA to under 300 yards of total offense and 3 points while they amassed just over 500 yards and scored 45 points. This felt a little like a redemption game for the Mean Green after getting beat by SMU and Cal the previous two weeks. Final Score: 45-3
University of Houston – Houston lost again… They are now off to their worst start since 2012 when the Bobcats went to Houston and beat the Cougars for one of the top 5 all time upsets against the spread. This week the Cougars lost to a Tulane team that looks surprisingly good. I still think they are better than their record indicates, but they haven’t been able to translate it into wins. Final Score: 38-31
Texas State – TXST finally got the first win of the Spavital era. It was a hard fought triple overtime win against the Georgia State Panthers. A game where the Bobcats had to overcome several obstacles and find a way to come away with the win. They still haven’t found a way to play “complementary football,” as Coach Spavital likes to say, but a win is a win. The Bobcats are now 1-0 in the Sun Belt and atop the standings, at least for now. Final Score: 37-34
Rice – I’ve said this before, but Rice might just be the best 0-4 team in the country. They have had a tough schedule and played several teams close this year, but until they can convert some of those close games into wins they’re going to remain towards the bottom of this list. The good news is, they still have several winnable games on the schedule including the 2 teams ranked below them on this list. Final Score: 21-13
UTSA – UTSA is now 1-3 with their sole win being against an FCS opponent. This is likely a make or break year for the Roadrunners and with the slow start they have had, including this weeks thrashing by UNT, things aren’t looking great for head coach Frank Wilson. Final Score: 45-3
UTEP – The Miners are now 1-2 after dropping a game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at home. Like UTSA, their only win is against an FCS team by just 2 points. Until proven otherwise, they might as well get comfortable at the bottom of our list. They do have a game against UTSA scheduled for October 5th, so that might just be their chance to avoid finishing the season last place in our standings. Final Score: 37-21
