Welcome back to the Texas 47, a weekly tier ranking of all 47 college football programs in the Lone Star State. From FBS to FCS to every division below, we place each program into tiers ranging from national title contender to the basement. The list is updated by Mike Craven and Cory Hogue every Tuesday throughout the college football season. 

National contenders

TCU (6-0) - Sonny Dykes is off to another hot start as a head coach. An undefeated season has the Horned Frogs knocking on top-10 rankings and deserve to be in College Football Playoff conversations if they can run the table in a competitive Big 12. 

Angelo State (7-0) - The Rams dominated a decent Western New Mexico team to set up a showdown at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville next week.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-1) - The Cru had more pass attempts than rushing attempts last week, signaling the coaching staff is working on areas they will need during the playoffs.

Trinity (6-0) - The Tigers finally put together a complete team effort in a dominating win last week.

Trinity Valley (5-1) - Welcome to the national contender club, TVCC. Remaining here will be challenging with Kilgore and New Mexico Military Institute in the next two weeks.

Conference contenders

UTSA (5-2) - A beat up Roadrunners team won an ugly road game over FIU last week to set up a showdown with rival North Texas in Week 8 at the Alamodome. UTSA is down multiple offensive tackles. 

Texas (5-2) - A scrappy win over Iowa State was another example of the Longhorns shedding their reputation. The next step in the evolution is to win a road game against a good team. Oklahoma State offers that opportunity in Week 8. 

North Texas (4-3) - The Mean Green are on an eight-game C-USA winning streak entering the Week 8 contest with UTSA. 

UIW (6-1) - The Cardinals are expected to cruise through their remaining schedule with only one game projected by Massey Ratings to be within one score.

Stephen F. Austin (4-3) - The Lumberjacks were impressive in a win over Tarleton and are beginning to build momentum at the right time.

Prairie View A&M (3-3) - The Panthers were idle in Week 7.

Hardin-Simmons (5-1) - The Cowboys defense held a good ETBU team to 94 total yards of offense and a 0.8 average per rush attempt. 

Texas A&M-Kingsville (7-0) - The Javelinas have survived the first seven weeks of the season to set up a crucial two-week stretch beginning with a trip to Angelo State this week.

Texas Wesleyan (6-1) - The Rams were prepared for Langston and jumped on the Lions early in a game TxWes dominated all three phases.

Stock rising

Sam Houston (3-2) - The Bearkats have won three consecutive games and are displaying the tremendous depth they will need heading into an FBS schedule next year.

Texas A&M-Commerce (4-2) - Are the Lions a conference contender in their first season at the FCS level? Not yet, but they are quickly approaching that status. 

McMurry (1-6) - The War Hawks move out of the basement may be short-lived if they struggle over the next two weeks.

Howard Payne (6-1) - HPU is right where they want to be with Hardin-Simmons and UMHB on tap following a bye week.

Texas College (1-6) - The best win of the weekend was the Steers fourth quarter comeback to end a 19-game losing streak.

Tyler (4-2) - The Apaches are in good shape to earn a spot in the SWJCFC semifinals, but challenges remain in the last two weeks of the regular season.

Steady

Rice (3-3) - A close loss on the road to FAU shouldn't undo all the good the Owls accomplished through the first half of the season. A bowl game is still on the table. 

Texas Tech (3-3) - The Red Raiders might get all three quarterbacks back from injury heading into the second-half of their schedule. 

Texas A&M (3-3) - The Aggies had an open week to address offensive issues, but fixing those likely takes an offseason. 

Houston (3-3) - A win over Memphis back in Week 6 salvaged Houston's season and kept the Cougars in AAC contention, at least for now. 

Texas State (3-4) - Offensive mishaps cost the Bobcats a chance to upset Troy on the road. 

SMU (3-3) - A win over Navy on Friday night snapped a three-game losing streak for the Mustangs. 

Texas Southern (2-4) - The Tigers were idle in Week 7.

Abilene Christian (5-2) - The Wildcats ability to become a conference contender will depend on navigating a brutal three-game road trip.

Sul Ross State (2-4) - The Lobos were idle in Week 7.

Texas Lutheran (2-4) - TLU needs to get back in the win column at McMurry this week.

East Texas Baptist (2-4) - ETBU has played a demanding schedule this year, but their final four regular season games are winnable contests.

Southwestern (2-4) - The Pirates record isn’t indicative of how well they’ve played against some of the top competition in Division III.

SAGU (3-3) - The Lions have a chance to gain momentum down the final stretch of the regular season.

Kilgore (4-2) - The Rangers remain outside a spot in the SWJCFC semifinals but continue to hold their fate in their hands. However, Kilgore can not afford another loss.

Stock falling

Baylor (3-3) - Baylor went 18 games without allowing more than 30 points dating back to the last game of 2020 before the Week 5 loss to Oklahoma State. The Bears have now allowed more than 30 in two straight games following the defeat to West Virginia in Week 7. 

UTEP (3-4) - UTEP is 1-2 in conference play and on the outside looking in for another bowl invite. 

Tarleton (4-2) - No doubt the Texans are disappointed with the loss to SFA last week. However, Tarleton could win its remaining conference games.

Houston Christian (2-4) - HCU’s offense sputtered on its first two drives, combined with turnovers on their next two drives, which led to an insurmountable deficit.

West Texas A&M (4-3) - Inconsistency struck the Buffs again and resulted in a disappointing road loss to Western Oregon, which likely knocked WT out of any playoff discussion.

Midwestern State (3-4) - This team is struggling with multiple injuries at key positions. Three straight losses have the Mustangs reeling, with four tough opponents remaining on their schedule.

UTPB (3-4) - The Falcons are an enigma. It’s difficult to know if the good UTPB or the bad UTPB will show up each week.

Wayland Baptist (2-5) - The Pioneers are close to moving into the basement and need to use the bye week to prepare for three challenging games to end the season.

Navarro (4-3) - The Bulldogs could not cement their place in the SWJCFC semifinals and will need to win their final two games to make the playoffs.

Blinn (3-4) - Four consecutive losses have the Buccaneers reeling and eliminated from the SWJCFC playoffs.

Cisco (3-4) - The Wranglers aren’t eliminated from the SWJCFC semifinals yet, but they will be if they lose to the reigning national champions this week.

Basement

Lamar (0-6) - The Cardinals were idle in Week 7.

Austin College (0-6) - The ‘Roos will lament a fumble returned for a touchdown on their opening drive of the game ending in a three-point loss.