We’re football dorks who love big, crazy ideas here at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. We return the Texas 47 – a tiered ranking of each of the 47 college football programs in the Lone Star State – ahead of Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. From the Texas Longhorns to the Mary-Hardin Baylor Crusaders and all the way down to the JUCO level, we place each program in Texas into one of seven tiers. 

Let the discussions (arguments?) begin. This list is the brainchild of Cory Hogue and Mike Craven.  

National contenders

Texas – The Longhorns enter the 2023 season with more momentum than the program’s had since Mack Brown left. The only thing standing in front of Texas and a Big 12 title is Texas. An 11-1 season puts the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff and on the doorstep for national title contention. 

UIW - The Cardinals were national semifinalists last year, and the expectations are equally high for this season.

Angelo State - The Rams hope this is the season they advance out of Super Region Four to the national semifinals.

Mary Hardin-Baylor - There is only one expectation at UMHB. It begins and ends with a national title.

Trinity - Some believe the Tigers might be better than the Cru this year. Trinity and UMHB will collide in Week 2 in San Antonio.

Kilgore (1-0) - The question around the Rangers this year was if the offense was improved. Question no more after Kilgore gained 544 total yards in a win over Tyler.

Trinity Valley (1-0) - TVCC put the NJCAA on notice last week with an impressive second half in a 31-24 win over No. 4 Snow.

Playoff contenders

Texas Tech – The Red Raiders are Big 12 contenders entering the 2023 campaign. Not bad for second-year head coach Joey McGuire. 

TCU – The Horned Frogs are hoping the clock doesn’t strike midnight after a historic run to the national title game in 2022. A talented roster puts the Horned Frogs back into the Big 12 mix. 

Stephen F. Austin - The Lumberjacks won the WAC last season and have the talent to make its second appearance in the FCS playoffs in the last three seasons.

Texas A&M-Kingsville - The Javelinas are a threat to make their first appearance in the playoffs since 2010 if they remain healthy.

Hardin-Simmons - HSU is a threat to claim the ASC if UMHB falters, and the Cowboys are one of three teams from Texas that are legitimate national threats.

Texas Wesleyan - The Rams felt shunned by the NAIA selection committee last season. The committee’s decision will be easy regarding TxWes if they handle business on the field.

Conference contenders

SMU – Don’t look now but the Mustangs are in AAC contention in 2023 due to a loaded roster and a manageable conference schedule. Ten wins isn’t out of the question. 

UTSA – The Roadrunners arrive in the AAC with consecutive Conference USA crowns and a roster full of experience. As well as arguably the best football coach in the Lone Star State in Jeff Traylor. 

Prairie View A&M - The Panthers begin the season as a contender to win the SWAC West Division. Consistency will be key for PVAMU to reach the SWAC title game.

Abilene Christian - The Wildcats fell one win shy of winning the program’s first FCS conference title. Expectations are even higher in Keith Patterson’s second season.

Tarleton - Todd Whitten believes the 2023 Texans have the most talented roster of any time during their transition to FCS. Will that lead to more wins?

UTPB - Kris McCullough is one of the top young coaches in the country and expects the Falcons to contend for the Lone Star Conference title.

Howard Payne - The ASC is very tough at the top. The Yellow Jackets have improved in recent years and hope to take the next step this season.

SAGU - Greg Ellis turned the Lions into one of the top defensive teams in the NAIA in his first season. SAGU will threaten the top teams in the SAC with more offensive production.

Blinn - SWJCFC coaches have noticed the amount of talent on the Buccaneers roster this year and expect Ryan Mahon to have Blinn back at the top of the conference.

Stock rising

Baylor – Dave Aranda adjusted course and leaned on the transfer portal to help the Bears compete for a Big 12 title in 2023. The roster looks much more talented than the 2022 version that went 6-6 in the regular season.  

Texas A&M – The Aggies are as talented as any team in Texas thanks to years of successful recruiting. Jimbo Fisher brought in Bobby Petrino to help with the offense. 

Texas Southern - The Tigers have gone from 0-11 in 2019 to a threat in the SWAC West in 2023. The youth of TSU five years ago is now mature and experienced.

East Texas Baptist - Calvin Ruzicka is from the Joey McGuire coaching tree at Trinity Hill and has the Tigers excited for his first season as head coach.

Sul Ross State - SRSU was the surprise of the ASC last year. Will the momentum from last season and the Lobos impending move to the LSC lead to a better year in 2023?

Cisco (1-0) - Stephen Lee picked up a victory in his head coaching debut with the Wranglers. Cisco has a bye week before hosting Blinn.

Steady

Sam Houston – The newest members of FBS won’t have an easy time of it, especially in the non-conference schedule, but the talent is there to flirt with six wins. 

Texas State – A new coaching staff renewed energy around the Bobcats football program. Additional support from the university’s admin means the sleeping giant in San Marcos might wake up soon. 

North Texas – One of two FBS programs in Texas under new leadership at the head coaching position. Eric Morris is a proven winner who jumpstarted the UIW program. 

Rice – The Owls need to reach six wins to keep head coach Mike Bloomgren safe. The addition of quarterback JT Daniels through the transfer portal is a great start. 

Houston Christian - Braxton Harris and staff have made strides with the Huskies program, but it will take time to build the depth needed for an entire season.

Lamar - Peter Rossomando has instilled a sense of hope into the Cardinals football program.

Texas A&M-Commerce - The Lions enter year two of transition, which is typically the toughest of the process for the football program.

Midwestern State - Bill Maskill teams have thrived in the underdog role. MSU was picked to finish fourth in the LSC.

West Texas A&M - Many believe Josh Lynn will eventually turn the Buffs into a national powerhouse.

Southwestern - A move to the SAA provides the Pirates with an opportunity against schools on similar academic footing.

Stock falling

Houston – The doubters are out in force for a Cougars team that’s an underdog to UTSA in Week 1 despite playing at home as a Big 12 program. 

UTEP – A loss to FBS newcomer Jax State in Week 0 means the Miners are fighting out of a conference hole for the second straight season.  

Texas Lutheran - The Bulldogs have two more years to compete against the ASC before moving to the SCAC.

Navarro (0-1) - There’s no shame in losing to one of the top programs in the country in Hutchinson. However, the loss is disappointing for a team that expects to contend for a conference title.

Tyler (0-1) - The good news for the Apaches is the offense gained 426 total yards against a stout Kilgore defense. The bad news is the defense allowed 544 total yards.

Basement

Austin College - Tony Joe White is known for building programs, and the ‘Roos are his next challenge.

McMurry - The War Hawks begin the year in the basement, but don’t be surprised if McMurry takes a step forward this season.

Texas College - Jarrail Jackson has the Steers program on the right path but needs more time to build depth.

Wayland Baptist - The Pioneers don’t believe they will be in the basement for long with Marcos Hinojos Sr. at the helm.