Final Small College Power Poll of 2021 Season

The final Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Small College Power Poll for the 2021 season features Mary Hardin-Baylor, Sam Houston, Hardin-Simmons, Angelo State, Trinity, and more.
Cory Hogue

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. Mary Hardin-Baylor (15-0) Last Week: 2 - UMHB won 20 games during the 2021 calendar year topped with the 2021 NCAA Division III national title.

  2. Sam Houston (11-1) Last Week: 1 - The Bearkats had a 22-game winning streak snapped in the FCS quarterfinals. SHSU will challenge for the title next season. 

  3. Hardin-Simmons (9-1) Last Week: 3 - The Cowboys weren’t deemed worthy of a playoff spot by the NCAA but was the only team to play the national champs within 10 points.

  4. Angelo State (11-3) Last Week: 7 - The Rams had an amazing season highlighted by two wins in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

  5. Trinity (9-1) Last Week: 4 - The Tigers defense was the best in the country and were the only team to hold UMHB under 20 points all season. 

  6. UIW (10-3) Last Week: 5 - UIW had a magical season end with a tough loss, but will have many pieces to replace prior to next year.

  7. SFA (8-4) Last Week: 6 - The ‘Jacks nearly earned another shot at their rival but showed the country why they will soon challenge for the FCS national title.

  8. Midwestern State (7-3) Last Week: 8 - The Mustangs won the LSC title and hindsight says they should’ve been in the playoffs.

  9. Tyler (7-5) Last Week: 11 - The Apaches finished a great season with a 28-7 win over No. 11 Coffeyville in the Heart of Texas Bowl.

  10. Texas Wesleyan (7-3) Last Week: 9 - The Rams finish the season tied for second in the Sooner Athletic Conference and are a team on the rise.

  11. Prairie View A&M (7-5) Last Week: 10 - PVAMU had a great season and earned a spot in the SWAC title game but will have a new coach after Eric Dooley left for rival Southern.

  12. SAGU (9-3) Last Week: 12 - The Lions defeated Sterling College 31-14 in the Victory Bowl and claim their second NCCAA title.

  13. Texas A&M-Commerce (7-4) Last Week: 13 - The Lions are leaving DII football and the LSC on a winning note after defeating Eastern New Mexico.

  14. West Texas A&M (7-4) Last Week: 14 - WT won its final two games of the season and can use that momentum in the offseason.

  15. Howard Payne (7-3) Last Week: 15 - HPU finished with its best record since 2005, and this is a program quickly rising towards the top of the ASC.

  16. Abilene Christian (5-6) Last Week: 16 - ACU will have new leadership in 2022 and expectations are rising for the football program.

  17. Tarleton (6-5) Last Week: 17 - The Texans look like a team that belongs in the FCS only two years into the transition.

  18. Blinn (5-5) Last Week: 18 - Blinn did not fare better against NMMI the second time around, but the Buccaneers had a good season overall.

  19. Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-5) Last Week: 19 - The Javelinas had a better season than many expected and will use that momentum to continue to build for next year.

  20. Kilgore (5-5) Last Week: 20 - It was a tough year for a Kilgore squad who began the year with national title aspirations.

  21. Trinity Valley (5-4) Last Week: 21 - Injuries derailed the Cardinals’ season after an impressive five straight wins to open their 2021 campaign.

  22. East Texas Baptist (5-5) Last Week: 22 - ETBU is another team decimated by injuries towards the end of the season.

  23. Navarro (5-5) Last Week: 23 - The Bulldogs ended their season on a positive note with a 35-30 win over Cisco.

  24. UTPB (5-6) Last Week: 24 - UTPB earned its first bowl bid this year which is huge for a team seeking to contend for the LSC title next year.

  25. Cisco (4-5) Last Week: 25 - The Wranglers struggled to reproduce their amazing run to the spring SWJCFC title during the fall campaign. 

  26. Southwestern (4-6) Last Week: 26 - The Pirates ended their season with two straight wins and have a bright future ahead.

  27. Texas Southern (3-8) Last Week: 27 - The Tigers led for the majority of the game last week before falling late to Alabama A&M.

  28. Texas Lutheran (3-7) Last Week: 28 - The Bulldogs will hit the recruiting trail hard this year and look to improve on a tough season.

  29. Sul Ross State (2-7) Last Week: 29 - SRSU is a young team with only eight seniors and the new coach will have plenty of experience to build for the future.

  30. McMurry (2-7) Last Week: 30 - The fast rebuild hit a snag late in the season, but this program is light years ahead of where they were two years ago.

  31. Lamar (2-8) Last Week: 31 - The Cardinals will continue to improve with Blane Morgan pulling in impressive recruiting classes.

  32. Wayland Baptist (2-8) Last Week 32 - The Pioneers showed signs of improvement against the top of the conference in their last two games.

  33. Austin College (1-8) Last Week: 33 - The ‘Roos have a lot of underclassmen who saw valuable playing time this season. That will pay dividends next year.

  34. Texas College (0-11) Last Week: 34 - Greg Ellis seems to be the right fit for a Steers program that must focus on funding and recruiting.

  35. Houston Baptist (0-11) Last Week: 35 - The Huskies are in rebuilding mode and had a ton of young players on offense this year.

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