The good teams are beginning to separate from the bad teams in college football as Week 3 turns the page towards Week 4. We rank each of Texas' 47 college football programs into one of six tiers after three weeks of the season. Here are the Week 3 rankings. 

National contenders

UIW (3-0) - The difference between the G.J. Kinne Cardinals and the previous UIW teams under Eric Morris became apparent against PVAMU. UIW dominated time of possession, leading to the Cardinals best defensive performance this season.

Angelo State (3-0) - We welcome the Rams into the top tier of teams. However, ASU must play a complete game against West Texas A&M this week. 

Mary Hardin-Baylor (2-1) - The Cru rolled past Southwestern, but this week’s rivalry game against Hardin-Simmons is critical to UMHB’s playoff hopes.

Kilgore (2-1) - The Rangers learned they must play a complete game to defeat the No. 1 team and reigning national champs. However, this loss does not knock them out of the national title game, but another one will.

Conference contenders

Texas (2-1) - The Longhorns are a one-point loss to Alabama away from an undefeated record after three weeks. Texas looks like a true contender for the Big 12 crown if quarterback Quinn Ewers returns by October. 

Baylor (2-1) - Dave Aranda's squad rebounded from a double-overtime loss at BYU in Week 2 with a methodical win over Texas State in Week 3. Quarterback Blake Shapen and the passing offense continue to struggle. 

UTSA (1-2) - The Roadrunners are past the three-game gauntlet to start the 2022 season and can now focus on repeating as Conference USA champions. Frank Harris is a household name at quarterback. 

SMU (2-1) - Maryland proved too much for the Mustangs, but first-year head coach Rhett Lashlee can get his first signature win at SMU in Week 4 with TCU and former head man Sonny Dykes driving into town. SMU won the previous two Battles for the Iron Skillet. 

Prairie View A&M (1-2) - PVAMU has a solid rushing attack but needs more from its passing game to achieve the Panthers potential this year. PVAMU is capable of defeating every team left on its schedule.

West Texas A&M (2-1) - The uneasiness of the Buffs fans is palpable following a loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Buffs remain capable of winning the LSC but must win at Angelo State this week to keep conference title and playoff hopes alive.

Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-0) - The Javelinas have entered the conference contender tier after their defense forced six turnovers in a win at West Texas A&M.

Trinity (3-0) - Trinity is set to begin conference play this weekend and will finish the regular season undefeated if they remain focused each week. However, the Tigers need help to earn their way back into the top tier of the Texas 47.

Hardin-Simmons (2-0) - HSU was impressive in its dominant win over UW-Platteville, setting up a huge showdown this week against UMHB. 

Texas Wesleyan (3-1) - The Rams did nearly everything they needed to defeat Ottawa (Ariz.) last week. However, the offense could not finish drives resulting in five field goals and a tough loss.

Blinn (2-0) - It’s Blinn’s turn this week to try and knock off the defending national champions and No. 1 New Mexico Military Institute. A win would vault the Buccaneers into the national title race.

Stock rising

Rice (2-1) - A 12-point win over Louisiana opened eyes outside the locker room and fueled belief inside it that the Owls are hunting for a bowl berth in 2022. The defense was excellent in the upset victory. 

Abilene Christian (2-1) - ACU had a respectable showing on the road against Missouri last week and could soon become a contender for the WAC title.

Texas Southern (1-2) - Southern could move the ball against the TSU defense, but the Tigers held the Jaguars scoreless on four red zone opportunities.

Sul Ross State (1-2) - The Lobos were close to entering this category last week. SRSU dominated Austin College, with T.J. DeShields setting program passing records with 559 yards and seven touchdowns.

Howard Payne (2-1) - Is it more impressive that HPU gained a program record 769 total yards (375 rushing) or held Hendrix to 224 total yards (88 rushing)? It doesn’t matter because that combination will continue to win games.

SAGU (1-1) - The Lions had a bye week to prepare for a dangerous Arizona Christian squad that has lost two of its first three games.

Trinity Valley (2-1) - The Cardinals overcame a 13-point deficit with 12:37 left in the contest to stun Tyler. Darion Peace has taken hold of the starting quarterback job.

Navarro (1-2) - The Bulldogs rolled to 281 rushing yards in a victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M but will need the passing attack to improve against Kilgore this week.

Steady

Texas Tech (2-1) - The first loss of the Joey McGuire era took place in Week 3 on the road against NC State. Texas comes to town, maybe for the last time in a long time, to start Big 12 play. 

TCU (2-0) - The Horned Frogs were idle in Week 3 ahead of a rivalry game on the road against SMU on Saturday. 

Texas A&M (2-1) - A 17-9 win over Miami kept the Aggies from free-falling into the teeth of a tough SEC schedule. The passing attack remains a concern even after a quarterback change. 

Texas State (1-2) - A loss on the road to reigning Big 12 champion Baylor is no black eye for the Bobcats. 

Texas A&M-Commerce (1-2) - Give credit to the Lions, who displayed their toughness and ability to fight past adversity last week. The defense is trending up, and the offense should improve when Eric Rodriguez returns from injury.

Tarleton (2-1) - The Texans were dominant against a former LSC foe and showed their fans how much this football program has improved over the last three years.

Houston Baptist (1-1) - The Huskies had a bye week to prepare for a money game at Texas State this week before traveling to play Lamar in two weeks.

UTPB (1-2) - Early interceptions put the Falcons behind on the scoreboard, which UTPB needed to avoid against Angelo State. It remains a struggle for this offense to run the ball.

Midwestern State (2-1) - The Mustangs defense has recorded a pick-six in four consecutive games dating back to last season. MSU needs to find its dominance before its luck runs out.

Texas Lutheran (0-2) - There were positives for TLU in its loss to Trinity, which the Bulldogs can use for confidence before hosting a suddenly hot Sul Ross State.

East Texas Baptist (1-1) - ETBU’s defense played angry against McMurry last week. The Tigers will need more of their dominant defense, with the offense trying to figure out the passing attack.

Southwestern (1-2) - Damian Gomez got the start at QB for the Pirates, with Landry Gilpin missing the game with an injury. Gilpin should return this week against McMurry.

Stock falling

Houston (1-2) - The Cougars only lost one regular season game in 2021. They've already lost two in 2022. 

North Texas (2-2) - A second-half collapse against UNLV can't give the fan base much hope of contending in C-USA. 

Sam Houston (1-2) - It may be time to lower our expectations for the Bearkats this season until the offense proves it can consistently produce points. The defense remains one of the best in the country.

Stephen F. Austin (1-2) - We will not know if the SFA bye week was effective until the Lumberjacks play in the Battle of the Piney Woods in two weeks.

Lamar (0-3) - The offense is consistently struggling to gain traction this season. The rushing attack has improved each week. However, the passing game is progressively getting worse.

Wayland Baptist (1-2) - The Pioneers scored first but were behind by 35 points before their second touchdown. WBU is a team searching for consistent performances.

Cisco (2-1) - The Wranglers will struggle to win any of their remaining games unless they find a quick fix for a stagnant offense.

Tyler (1-2) - This is a solid team capable of beating any team in the country, but that loss last week stings and will test the fortitude of the Apaches this week.

Basement

UTEP (1-3) - A loss to rival New Mexico sent the Miners back to the drawing board. 

McMurry (0-3) - The War Hawks offense continues to struggle and needs one of their quarterbacks to step up, become the leader, and help this unit score points.

Austin College (0-3) - The Kangaroos are adjusting to the flexbone offense early in the season. The rushing attack is decent, but the ‘Roos need at least one threat in the passing game.

Texas College (0-3) - This has the makings of another tough season for the Steers, who are rebuilding from multiple coaching changes and the shutdown during the pandemic.