The herd is thinning at the top of the Texas 47 following a Week 4 that eliminated a few programs from national and conference contention. The Texas 47 places each of the college football programs into one of six tiers ranging from national title contender to the basement. 

National contenders

Angelo State (4-0) - The Rams were trailing at the half for the first time this season and responded with 28 points in the second half. That’s a positive for a team that has had struggles during the second half of the last few years.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-1) - UMHB controls its destiny for another ASC title and an automatic playoff berth. It will be interesting to see how the defense progresses over the next few weeks.

Conference contenders

Baylor (3-1) - A win over Iowa State on the road puts the Bears on track to compete for a spot in the Big 12 championship game. A home game against Oklahoma State in Week 5 looms large. 

UTSA (2-2) - The Roadrunners barely survived a brutal non-conference slate. The road doesn't get much easier with a Friday night road game in Week 5 against a Middle Tennessee team that just beat Miami. 

Prairie View A&M (2-2) - The Panthers were forced to rely on their passing attack, with the rushing attack struggling to gain traction. PVAMU hopes this leads to a balanced offensive attack.

Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-0) - The Javelinas had their best all-around performance of the season, which resulted in a dominating win over Eastern New Mexico. The Javelinas could be undefeated when they meet Angelo State in a Week 8 showdown.

Trinity (3-0) - The Tigers are heavy favorites to win their second consecutive SAA title, and the mission begins this week at Hendrix.

Texas Wesleyan (3-1) - Thoughts and prayers to Wayland Baptist, who will meet an angry Rams team that has had two weeks to stew over their tough loss to Ottawa (Ariz.).

Blinn (3-1) - The Buccaneers barely remain a conference contender after giving the defending national champs a battle. Blinn continues its path through the brutal SWJCFC this week against Navarro.

Stock rising

Rice (2-2) - The Owls played well in a seven-point loss to Houston. A bowl bid is within reach thanks to a .500 non-conference finish. 

Texas Tech (3-1) - An overtime win over Texas provided Joey McGuire's Red Raiders a proof of concept victory in possibly the last visit to Lubbock by the Longhorns. 

TCU (3-0) - The Horned Frogs are the only undefeated FBS program remaining in the Lone Star State. Sonny Dykes' crew can focus solely on football after burying the demons of SMU past in the 101st version of the Battle for the Iron Skillet. 

Texas A&M (3-1) - Jimbo Fisher earned his pay check the last two weeks. The Aggies are 3-1 and on a two-game winning streak despite an FBS low six red zone trips on the season. 

UTEP (2-3) - A potentially season-saving win over Boise State gives the Miners momentum heading into C-USA play. Week 5 provides UTEP a chance to reach .500 with a game against lowly Charlotte. 

Tarleton (3-1) - The Texans passed their first true test of the 2022 season with flying colors. When you see Beau Allen’s numbers, remember he has three more years of eligibility.

Texas Southern (1-3) - The Tigers gain props for playing a good UTSA team tough for three quarters. TSU continues to improve, which is terrible news for the SWAC.

Midwestern State (3-1) - It’s not impressive to dominate Simon Fraser, but it is impressive to score more points (77) than total yards surrendered (61) against a school in your conference.

Sul Ross State (2-2) - This is the most improved team in the state of Texas this year and is a threat to finish fourth in the ASC.

Howard Payne (3-1) - The Yellow Jackets should be on alert with a trip to Alpine on the schedule this week. The Lobos have the ability, and HPU may be ripe for an upset.

Trinity Valley (3-1) - The Cardinals were embarrassed by Snow College on ESPN+ in Week 0. They have been making every opponent since then pay the price.

Navarro (2-2) - A late touchdown secured a huge home win for the Bulldogs, who are on a roll with a trip to Blinn set for this week.

Steady

SMU (2-2) - The honeymoon is over in Dallas as Rhett Lashlee's Mustangs enter AAC play on a two-game losing streak. 

Texas State (2-2) - Sure, the Bobcats are .500 heading into Sun Belt action. But we don't know a ton about Texas State since those wins are over FIU and Houston Christian. 

Houston (2-2) - Something doesn't seem right for a Houston program that entered 2022 with lofty expectations. 

Sam Houston (1-2) - This week is the last of the two games highlighted by Bearkats fans before the season, and they are excited for this week. The SHSU side of NRG is nearly sold out.

Abilene Christian (3-1) - The Wildcats have another winnable game this week before the schedule strength rises dramatically through the end of the season.

Texas A&M-Commerce (2-2) - The Lions have dominated two non-FCS opponents. Any future wins this season will need to be against FCS teams. Eric Rodriguez is likely to return following the bye week.

Houston Christian (1-2) - This week will provide a huge data point on the improvement of the Huskies this year. Their remaining schedule is against FCS foes and will not be an easy path.

UTPB (2-2) - The Falcons must be ready for Saturday when they face an angry and desperate herd of Buffs roaming the land. UTPB’s opponent has added motivation for what’s becoming a developing rivalry.

East Texas Baptist (1-2) - This game will have major significance for the Tigers, who are desperately trying to remain among the top teams in the ASC.

Southwestern (2-2) - The Road has not been kind to the Pirates this year, and another challenging trip awaits to face ETBU. The next two weeks on the road will likely define this team’s season.

Wayland Baptist (2-2) - The Pioneers begin a trek through a gauntlet of Sooner Athletic Conference teams that will ultimately define their season.

Tyler (1-2) - The Apaches are a team capable of winning every game remaining on their schedule if they stay focused and catch a few breaks.

Stock falling

Texas (2-2) - The Longhorns are now 2-5 in one-possession games under the direction of Steve Sarkisian following an overtime loss at Texas Tech. 

North Texas (2-3) - Seth Littrell's tenure appears to be on the brink following another double-digit loss to a future AAC opponent. 

UIW (3-1) - The Cardinals offense and defense were not dominant in the run game, which cost them a victory. The loss also cost them one of the top seeds in the FCS playoffs and home-field advantage.

Stephen F. Austin (2-2) - The ‘Jacks game against Warner (Fla.) should never have happened, but blame does not fall on anyone at SFA or Wariner. One positive is the victory showed the depth Colby Carthel and staff have built in a short amount of time.

West Texas A&M (2-2) - The loss to Angelo State did not end the Buffs playoff hopes, but losing quarterback Nick Gerber for a lengthy amount of time could be fatal.

Texas Lutheran (0-3) - The Bulldogs are a talented team that desperately needs a win. Enter North American, who will host TLU in Houston on Saturday.

Hardin-Simmons (2-1) - It’s tough to likely end the season with one loss and not make the playoffs for the second consecutive season, but that is the predicament HSU finds itself in right now.

SAGU (1-2) - The Lions are a good football team that will not remain under .500 for much longer. SAGU is the favorite in at least four remaining games and could easily win out with a few breaks.

Kilgore (2-2) - It’s the SWJCFC. That’s the only reason one can give for a team with one of the country's most talented rosters yet is on a two-game losing streak. Near perfection is required to win every week in that conference.

Cisco (2-2) - This team’s offense is not giving the Wranglers faithful much hope heading into a game against an angry team from Kilgore. Cisco will be dangerous if the offense starts clicking.

Basement

Lamar (0-4) - The line of scrimmage has been an issue for the Cardinals on both sides of the ball this season. Lamar needs a win this week or faces the prospect of a bad year.

McMurry (0-4) - Same scenario, new year. For the second straight year, the War Hawks are playing an angry crosstown rival coming off a tough loss. The War Hawks nearly pulled off a win last year. Can they repeat this year?

Austin College (0-3) - The ‘Roos goal this week should be to get out of Belton healthy and prepare to play opponents that match up better.

Texas College (0-4) - The Steers have consistently been prepared to begin the game and are competitive. The problem TC faces is a lack of depth due to multiple issues over the last few years.