National contenders

UIW (2-0) - The Cardinals solidified their status as a national contender this year with an impressive win over FBS Nevada.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (1-1) - The Cru remains more than capable of winning a national despite the loss to UW-Whitewater but will need to use this loss as motivation for the rest of the season.

Kilgore (2-0) - The Rangers have a national championship-level defense this year and will be in the title game if they successfully navigate the SWJCFC.

Conference contenders

Houston (1-1) - A double-overtime loss on the road against a Big 12 opponent doesn't hurt Houston's chances in the AAC. The Cougars responded to a 2021 loss to Texas Tech with an 11-game winning streak. 

Baylor (1-1) - An overtime loss on the road to future Big 12 opponent BYU exposed some cracks in Baylor's repeat chances, but the Big 12 remains wide open for a team to get hot in conference play. Baylor's defense remains excellent. Can the passing game be fixed? 

UTSA (1-1) - The Roadrunners earned a hard-fought overtime victory over Army in Week 2. UTSA is 14-4 in one-possession games during the Jeff Traylor era. He's only coached 28 games at the school. 

Texas (1-1) - An impressive performance in a one-point loss at home to Alabama has the Longhorns buzzing, but injuries to quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card are causes for concern. 

SMU (2-0) - The Mustangs are averaging over 45 points a game after two wins. SMU is one of only three undefeated FBS teams in Texas after Week 2. 

Prairie View A&M (1-1) - The Panthers offense showed flashes of greatness against a solid ACU defense, which bodes well for PVAMU against SWAC opponents.

Angelo State (2-0) - The overtime win over Colorado School of Mines sets the Rams up for hosting multiple games in the playoffs if they avoid disaster in the LSC.

West Texas A&M (2-0) - The Buffs appear to be the primary challenger to Angelo State in the LSC through the season's first two weeks.

Trinity (2-0) - The Tigers earned a hard-fought overtime victory against a solid Wheaton squad. However, the standard to be a national contender begins and ends with Trinity’s ability to beat UMHB, and the Tigers need more from their offense.

Hardin-Simmons (1-0) - The Cowboys had a week off before a classic trap game this week against a UW-Platteville team that beat No. 11 Bethel last week before a home game against UMHB.

Texas Wesleyan (3-0) - The train is leaving the station, so you better get on board or get left behind. This Rams team is going places this year.

Blinn (2-0) - The Buccaneers survived their first real test of the season and have a week off before a road trip to play reigning national champs and No. 1 New Mexico Military Institute.

Stock rising

Texas Tech (2-0) - An overtime win over Houston with a backup quarterback in charge suggests that the Red Raiders might be a dark horse to compete in the Big 12. They'll at least upset a team or two along the way. 

Abilene Christian (2-0) - The Wildcats improved in nearly every area in a win over PVAMU. However, the secondary remains a concern against teams with a solid passing attack.

UTPB (1-1) - The Falcons responded to a lackluster effort in Week 1 with a physically dominating double-overtime win over Western Colorado. UTPB only allowed 23 rushing yards against a solid rushing attack.

SAGU (1-1) - While the Lions lost to an excellent Ottawa (Ariz.) team last week, the SAGU defense is the real deal under coach Greg Ellis after holding the potent Spirit offense to 387 total yards.

Wayland Baptist (1-1) - The Pioneers stock is rising because of how they physically dominated conference foe, Lyon, last week. WBU needs to remain aggressive at Langston next week.

Steady

TCU (2-0) - The Horned Frogs' passing attack looked improved in Week 2, but it came against an FCS opponent. A Week 4 meeting with SMU looms large. 

North Texas (2-1) - The running attack continues to pace the Mean Green offense. 

Texas State (1-1) - The Bobcats bounced back from a Week 1 loss at Nevada by pounding FIU into submission. Calvin Hill almost ran for 200 yards in the win. 

Rice (1-1) - A shut out win over McNeese State was just what the doctor ordered for Rice following a Week 1 loss at USC. 

Lamar (0-2) - The Cardinals remain steady following a road loss to SMU. This week’s game against Northern Colorado will answer many questions facing Lamar through the first two weeks.

Tarleton (1-1) - The Texans were overwhelmed by the Horned Frogs last week and will release the frustrations from that game against DII Eastern New Mexico this week.

Texas Southern (0-2) - The Tigers renew their rivalry with now Southern head coach Eric Dooley in an intriguing game at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington this week.

Houston Baptist (1-1) - The Huskies were doomed by special teams mistakes in the fourth quarter, including a blocked punt recovered in the end zone with 28 seconds left. However, the future remains bright with Justin Fomby under center for the next few years.

Midwestern State (1-1) - Dylon Davis provided the Mustangs with a needed spark in the second half with his fourth career pick-six. The Mustangs have a few winnable games to build momentum before hosting WT in Week 6.

Howard Payne (1-1) - The good news for the Yellow Jackets is the offense has scored 98 points in two games. The bad news is the HPU defense has allowed 87 points.

Texas Lutheran (0-1) - The Bulldogs had a week off before traveling to meet Trinity on Saturday, a team TLU is familiar with after scrimmaging the Tigers at the end of August.

East Texas Baptist (0-1) - ETBU had a week off following a disappointing outing in Week 1. It will be interesting to see how the Tigers respond against a reeling McMurry team this week.

Trinity Valley (1-1) - The Cardinals can make a statement on ESPN+ against a solid Tyler squad still smarting from its road loss to Kilgore in Week 1.

Navarro (0-2) - The Bulldogs got off to a fast start against No. 1 New Mexico Military, but a lull in the second and third quarters was too much to overcome against the reigning national champs.

Tyler (1-1) - The Apaches can return to conference contender status with a win over Trinity Valley on ESPN+ this week.

Stock falling

UTEP (1-2) - Even a seven-point win over New Mexico State won't create many good feelings in El Paso because the Miners look llike a team that took a step back in 2022. 

Sam Houston (0-2) - Finding ways to motivate his players this year will be challenging for KC Keeler. That and finding a way to get the offense going.

Texas A&M-Commerce (1-1) - The Lions will quickly move to the basement if they can’t find a way to get the offense moving, which has been a problem the last two seasons.

Stephen F. Austin (1-2) - This Lumberjacks team is struggling to live up to the preseason hype and has two weeks to find solutions to their issues before the Battle of the Piney Woods.

Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-0) - The Javelinas struggled to put the game away against an inferior opponent until the fourth quarter. It’s possible TAMUK was looking ahead to this week’s game on the road against a ranked WT squad.

Southwestern (1-1) - The Pirates were physically dominated in the trenches against Belhaven, allowing 325 rushing yards while Southwestern only gained 311 total yards. Allowing an opponent to average nine yards per rush cannot happen for the Pirates to be competitive against ASC foes.

Cisco (1-1) - The Wranglers will use this week’s game against Rezolution Prep to improve in all areas before hosting Trinity Valley in two weeks.

Basement

McMurry (0-2) - The War Hawks expected to beat Millsaps, but inconsistent quarterback play has plagued McMurry through the first two weeks.

Austin College (0-2) - The ‘Roos have struggled to find consistent offense since Colt Collins graduated in 2019 and only gained 153 total yards against Rhodes.

Sul Ross State (0-2) - The Lobos showed pride and fight against DII Texas A&M-Kingsville and could surprise people in the ASC if they continue to play with that level of passion.

Texas College (0-2) - The Steers outgained Langston in total yards (417-398), but six turnovers were too much to overcome. However, TC fans will welcome the signs of an improving team.