Week 3 of college football featured three matchups in Texas that will shake up the pecking order of teams in the state.
The Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech each won big on their home turf, while Houston won their rivalry game against Rice University, their first win of the Willie Fritz era.
Texas State University showed its strength despite losing, while Baylor University performed consistently despite dealing with injuries.
Below are LoneStarLive.com’s rankings of all 13 FBS programs in the state.
No. 13 UTEP (0-3, 0-1 CUSA)
Last week: Lost to Liberty, 28-10
Previous ranking: 13
The Miners had some solid drives late, but two first-half interceptions and an overall lack of offensive power sent UTEP to an 0-1 start in conference play. The defense kept the reigning CUSA champions from taking control of the game and had a number of impressive drives, but the Miners are still getting their bearings with a new coaching staff.
No. 12 Rice (1-2, 0-0 American)
Last week: Lost to Houston, 33-7
Previous ranking: 12
The Owls’ offense continues to struggle, with the defense allowing the Cougars 6.8 yards per carry. Last year, Rice seemed to be on a roll after winning the Bayou Bucket. Now, the Owls seem completely lost.
No. 11 UTSA (1-2, 0-0 American)
Last week: Lost to Texas 56-7
Previous ranking: 8
The Roadrunners have been completely dominated by their opponents for the second week in a row, and while they can be more forgiving against Texas than they were against Texas State, UTSA clearly needs a good performance. After allowing a team-worst 105 points over their past two games, the Roadrunners should be able to bounce back against FCS Houston Christian.
No. 10 Sam Houston (2-1, 0-0 CUSA)
Last week: Beat Hawaii 31-13
Previous ranking: 11
The Bearcats are close to reaching their 2023 win total (3) after just three games. Memphis transfer Jay Ducker had a big game, rushing 15 times for 148 yards. Wide receiver Quabez Humphries also had a big game, catching four times for 106 yards and two touchdowns. It took Sam Houston six CUSA games to earn its first conference win last season, but the Bearcats can open league play this week with a win against New Mexico State.
No. 9 Houston (1-2, 0-0 Big 12 Conference)
Last week: Beat Rice University, 33-7
Previous ranking: 10
The Cougars are already starting to look like Willie Fritz’s team, dominating the running game with 237 yards and three touchdowns and a defense that Rice couldn’t crack last week. Houston will travel to take on Cincinnati in what will likely be the easiest Big 12 opponent on the Cougars’ schedule this season.
No. 8 North Texas (2-1, 0-0 American)
Last week: Lost to Texas Tech 66-21
Previous ranking: 7
Just ask ESPN’s Rece Davis, who was trending as a potential upset for the Mean Green heading into their matchup with Tech. He was a North Texas favorite, but suggested they rescind the name and change it to the Polite Green after their blowout loss to the Red Raiders. Denton’s team will want to get past last week’s game as soon as possible.
No. 7 Texas Tech (2-1, 0-0 Big 12 Conference)
Last week: Beat North Texas 66-21
Previous ranking: 9
The Red Raiders have truly made themselves felt for the first time this year after struggling mightily in their first two games of the season, and the Big 12 opener will be intriguing as a rising Arizona State team visits Lubbock.
No. 6 Baylor (2-1, 0-0 Big 12 Conference)
Last week: 31-3 win over Air Force
Previous ranking: 6
Despite missing starting quarterback Dequan Finn, the Bears easily redeemed themselves from a loss to Air Force in the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl. Redshirt freshman Bryson Washington made his presence felt with 106 yards rushing and a touchdown.
No. 5: SMU (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
Last week: Open Week
Previous ranking: 5
The Mustangs have time to rebuild after coming off one of their worst offensive performances in recent years, and SMU named Kevin Jennings as their full-time starting quarterback this week, with their next matchup being an Iron Skillet rivalry game against TCU.
No. 4 TCU (2-1, 0-1 Big 12)
Last week: Lost to UCF, 35-34
Previous ranking: 3
On the bright side, the Horned Frogs led by 21 points going into the third quarter and Josh Huber threw for 402 yards and four touchdowns. The big issue is that TCU couldn’t close out the game and lost at home to UCF. There’s a lot good about the Horned Frogs, but their collapse is concerning.
No. 3 Texas State (2-1, 0-0, Sun Belt)
Last week: Lost to Arizona State, 31-28
Previous ranking: 4
Teams don’t like moral victories, but the nationally televised game between Texas State and Arizona State couldn’t have been closer. The Bobcats came out looking more complete in the big test and solidified themselves as a potential College Football Playoff contender in the Group of Five. Texas State has a week off before their rivalry showdown with Sam Houston.
No. 2 Texas A&M (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
Last week: 33-20 win over Florida
Previous ranking: 2
The Aggies are coming off a brutal 10-game road losing streak against Florida last week. QB Marcel Reid was outstanding in commanding the A&M offense in place of injured starter Connor Weigman. The Aggies came out ready to go and pulled off a very strong win in head coach Mike Elko’s first SEC game as a head coach.
No. 1 Texas (3-0, 0-0 SEC)
Last week: Beat UTSA 56-7
Previous ranking: 1
An injury to quarterback Quinn Ewers might have worried more people if Arch Manning hadn’t filled in for Ewers midway through the UTSA game and thrown for 223 yards and four touchdowns. The Longhorns remain ranked No. 1 in the state and entered this week ranked No. 1 in the country.