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 (7-0) - The Horned Frogs remained perfect thanks to another second-half comeback against a fellow Big 12 contender. One foot appears to be in the Big 12 conference title game. 

Angelo State (8-0) - The only team that can get in the way of the Rams earning the top seed in Super Region Four is Angelo State.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (7-1) - The Cru defense recorded six sacks and an interception against one of the best passing offenses in the ASC.

Trinity (7-0) - It feels like the Tigers are still not clicking on all cylinders this year. It will be bad news for the opposition if they ever figure out how to put it all together.

Trinity Valley (6-1) - The Cardinals six-game winning streak will meet its biggest challenge when they host the reigning national champions Saturday.

Conference contenders

UTSA (6-2) - A last-second win over North Texas puts the Roadrunners on a five-game winning streak and in control of their own C-USA title game destiny. 

North Texas (4-4) - A road loss to UTSA is a bummer, but it doesn't stop the Mean Green from competing for a conference title. North Texas can earn a rematch by winning out. 

Texas A&M-Commerce (5-2) - It’s incredible to see the Lions enter this category in their first season at the FCS level. The challenge now is remaining here with UIW scheduled to visit this week.

UIW (7-1) - The Cardinals have been on a different level than every other team in the Southland since their Week 4 loss and will roll through their remaining games if they avoid turnovers.

Stephen F. Austin (5-3) - The only thing that matters for SFA is to win its remaining games. It doesn’t have to be pretty or convincing.

Prairie View A&M (4-3) - The Panthers were impressive despite missing ten players that were suspended. All four of their remaining games are against SWAC competition.

Texas A&M-Kingsville (7-1) - The Javelinas defense is the reason they remain a conference contender, but the offense needs to produce against Central Washington and Midwestern State.

Hardin-Simmons (6-1) - The Cowboys defense is playing with an edge, but they will need their offense to play at a higher level moving forward.

Stock rising

Rice (4-3) - The Owls are two wins away from their first bowl bid since 2014 thanks to an overtime win over La Tech. Rice plays Charlotte and UTEP next. 

Texas Tech (4-3) - Behren Morton looks like the long-term answer at quarterback for the fast-paced Zach Kittley offense. 

Texas Southern (3-4) - The Tigers are unlikely to be the homecoming opponent as often next year after spoiling so many celebrations this year.

West Texas A&M (5-3) - The Buffs have played their two best games in the last three weeks and need to show consistency with a tough road trip to Silver City, N.M., this week.

Midwestern State (4-4) - The Mustangs haven’t given up on this season despite missing at least 15 players from their opening week depth chart due to injury.

Austin College (1-6) - The Kangaroos pulled off the upset of the weekend against ETBU.

Steady

Texas (5-3) -Texas took a step back from conference title contention thanks to a second-half collapse at Oklahoma State. The Longhorns are 1-6 on the road in the Steve Sarkisian era. He is 10-10 in his first 20 games as head coach in Austin. 

Baylor (4-3) - A win over Kansas put the Bears back on track, but the second half was concerning. 

Houston (4-3) - A win over Navy keeps Houston's conference hopes alive, even if those are dim. 

UTEP (4-4) - A home win over FAU put the Miners back to .500 and in sight of a bowl bid. 

Sam Houston (4-2) - The Bearkats sat half of their starters against Utah Tech last week for redshirt purposes and still won on the road.

Abilene Christian (5-2) - The Wildcats were idle in Week 8.

Houston Christian (2-5) - The Huskies gave the Lions a solid fight for the first half, but miscues and the second and third quarters were too much to overcome.

UTPB (3-5) - The Falcons last three losses have been by a combined five points, indicating a young team still learning how to close out games.

Howard Payne (6-1) - The Yellow Jackets were idle in Week 8.

Sul Ross State (2-5) - The Lobos had more passing yards than UMHB last week and can finish at .500 if they win their remaining games.

Texas Lutheran (3-4) - The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games and host a struggling ETBU on Saturday.

Wayland Baptist (2-5) - The Pioneers were idle in Week 8.

SAGU (4-3) - Keaton Dudik is a cheat code. The All-American gained 306 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 9.3 yards per rush attempt last week.

Navarro (4-3) - The Bulldogs were idle in Week 8.

Blinn (3-4) - The Buccaneers were idle in Week 8.

Tyler (5-2) - Tyler stumbled into a win against Cisco after playing a sloppy and undisciplined game. The Apaches will need to be in top form against Kilgore this week.

Stock falling

Texas A&M (3-4) - The Aggies are under .500 for the first time in the Jimbo Fisher era. 

Texas State (3-5) - Poor offensive execution has the Bobcats on a two-game losing streak following that upset win over App State. 

SMU (3-4) - The Mustangs have lost four of their last five games. 

Tarleton (5-2) - Southwest Baptist showed how to stop the Texans passing attack using an umbrella zone coverage that resulted in only 84 passing yards for Tarleton.

East Texas Baptist (2-5) - Losing tends to bring internal strife, and the dynamics inside the ETBU locker room seem less than ideal following a three-game losing streak.

Southwestern (2-5) - It will be a long week of practice for the Pirates, who were dominated in a very chippy game last week.

Texas Wesleyan (6-2) - The hardest thing to do in college football is to remain focused every week. The Rams lack of focus and offensive production in one game has cost them a playoff bid.

Kilgore (4-3) - The Rangers hopes of a spot in the SWJCFC semifinals are hanging by a thread after their loss to TVCC.

Basement

Lamar (0-7) - Lamar had its best rushing performance of the season last week but also had its worst rushing defense of the season which resulted in another loss.

McMurry (1-7) - The War Hawks are headed to a 1-9 record this year unless they pull off the upset at Sul Ross on Saturday.

Texas College (1-7) - It was good vibes for one week for the Steers, who were brought back to reality by Arizona Christian.

Cisco (3-5) - The Wranglers were given every chance to upset Tyler last week but couldn’t take advantage of all the good fortune.