Best In Texas college football rankings.
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Here at Best in Texas headquarters, we try not to overreact. Immediacy and intensity must prevail over emotion, as Coach Saban says. He might have had a third thing, too, but I’ve lost my notes.
Anyway, losing in September doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of the College Football Playoff business, but ask Texas what a loss to Florida did for its bid last year, when the Longhorns coughed up their chances on the road.
Texas A&M lost at home.
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Related: AP college football poll: Texas stays on top; How far do SMU, Texas A&M fall after losses?
Everything Mike Elko has done in fashioning a tough, take-no-prisoners approach to the game in College Station came unraveled against Kentucky. The Wildcats pushed the Aggies all over the field. Marcel Reed’s accuracy and decision-making aren’t getting any better, either. Thus comes a deep dive down the rankings for A&M this week.
In other BIT news, Texas Tech salvaged its CFP hopes with a come-from-behind win over a plucky Houston squad; SMU’s playoff bus took a serious dent in a collision with Louisville; and Texas overcame its hangover from the Ohio State win just in time to shove UTSA out the door.
Herewith, the rankings:
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1. Texas
A bad week for Arch Manning didn’t get any better against the Roadrunners, who roughed him up almost as much as the national media did after his ill-advised humor at Holly Rowe’s expense. Maybe Manning needs an emergency like the fourth quarter against Ohio State to be at his best. If so, he could get it this week.
Last game: 30-6 win over UTSA.
Next game: at No. 14 Tennessee.
2. Texas Tech
Joey McGuire is keeping receipts of everyone who picks against the Red Raiders this year. Says it fires ‘em up. Hard to know if this ranking is too high or too low to suit his purposes.
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Last game: 28-26 win over Houston.
Next game: Sam Houston.
3. Houston
The Cougars, who went 6-0 on the road last year, were due for a regression, but they made their point at Galaxy Stadium. BYU may yet have a say in it, but don’t be surprised if Houston gets a rematch with Tech in the Big 12 title game.
Last game: 28-26 loss to Texas Tech.
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Next game: Georgia Southern.
4. SMU
Hey, Rhett Lashlee: Next time you’re thinking about going for it on fourth-and-2 from your own 33 in the first quarter on the road against a ranked team, call me.
Last game: 41-31 loss to Louisville.
Next game: Missouri State.
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5. Texas A&M
First you get humbled in your own house by a basketball school. Then said school trolls you with a picture of a chewed-up dog collar and a tag that reads, “Good Boy.” Finishing touch: “Gigged ‘em.” Can’t wait to see which losing team has the bigger bounce-back game this week in Baton Rouge.
Last game: 31-21 loss to Kentucky.
Next game: at No. 10 LSU.
6. TCU
Maybe the Horned Frogs are still hurting from their little dust-up with the local paper. Maybe it’s jet lag from the Ireland trip. Whatever it is, they need to get going.
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Last game: 31-7 win over Arkansas State.
7. Baylor
DJ Lagway may return at quarterback this week, and not a moment too soon for the Bears.
Last game: 36-19 win over Louisiana Tech.
8. UTSA
At least the Roadrunners’ hard-hitting defense will serve Jeff Traylor well this season, as Arch Manning will attest.
Last game: 30-6 loss to Texas.
Next game: Colorado State.
9. Texas State
The Bobcats and Mean Green combined for nearly three-quarters of a mile of offense. Bet the over with these teams.
Last game: 49-35 win over North Texas.
Next game: Incarnate Word.
10. North Texas
The scoring difference in Neal Brown’s first three games in a 1-2 start has been 36, 38 and 14 points. Expect the trend to go back up this week.
Last game: 49-35 loss to Texas State.
Next game: Houston Christian.
11. Rice
The Owls came back to tie the game in the third quarter but couldn’t get close enough for a Hail Mary late.
Last game: 28-21 loss to Western “One Sec” Michigan.
Next game: at Fresno State.
12. Sam Houston
The Bearkats scored more points against Nicholls than they have against anyone since moving up to FBS. Now they can pick on someone their own size.
Last game: 59-0 win over Nicholls.
Next game: at No. 11 Texas Tech.
13. UTEP
For a while Saturday in Ann Arbor, the Miners looked like they might get their first win over a ranked opponent on the road since 1974. Then the second half happened.
Last game: 52-17 loss to Michigan.