Best In Texas college football rankings.
michael-hogue
Dave Aranda is officially the first former coach in this season’s Best in Texas directory, so you have to believe Sonny Dykes is thankful for coming out on top after visiting Aranda in Waco recently.
As it is, Sonny’s got problems of his own after losing Saturday to West Virginia at home. For that matter, it was a tough weekend for coaches all around the state.
Joey McGuire faced the public wrath of Cody Campbell, Texas Tech‘s board of regents chair, who tweeted there was “no excuse or reason” for losing to Cincinnati in the Sorsby Loser Bowl.
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Meanwhile, Mike Elko said he considered benching Marcel Reed in the Aggies’ loss at 13th-ranked Alabama, their fifth in their last six SEC games.
In other BIT news, Texas zoomed back to the top of the leaderboard after its death-defying hire-wire act in Austin for the Longhorns’ second win over a Top 10 team this season; Houston may have bowed out of the Big 12 race with its second loss; and SMU targets a Nov. 14 game against Wake Forest for a berth in the ACC title game.
Herewith, the latest rankings:
1. Texas (5-2)
The Longhorns — who rallied to beat the seventh-ranked Rebels after blowing a 21-point lead — like to do things the hard way. Which is good, because it gets harder in the next three weeks.
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Last: 34-27 win over Ole Miss
Next: Mississippi State on Saturday
2. Texas Tech (6-1)
Nippert Stadium’s public address system acknowledged Tech’s failed marriage with Brendan Sorsby, a former Bearcat quarterback, by breaking out “All My Exes Live in Texas.”
Last: 37-24 loss to Cincinnati
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Next: Arizona on Saturday
3. SMU (6-1)
Kevin Jennings broke SMU’s touchdown record and the Mustangs are now 18-3 in the ACC since joining in 2024.
Next: at Syracuse on Saturday
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4. Houston (6-2)
The Cougars’ only turnover – a strip sack of Conner Weigman – led to the Utes’ winning points.
Last: 21-13 loss to 10th-ranked Utah
Next: Cincinnati on Nov. 7
Nearly regretted canceling my plans to cover this game after watching the first half on TV. Second half confirmed my suspicions.
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Last: 31-20 loss to 13th-ranked Alabama
Next: at South Carolina on Nov. 7
6. UTSA (7-1)
Jeff Traylor’s audition for the Baylor job continues to get rave reviews.
Last: 42-19 win over Tulsa
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Next: at Florida Atlantic on Nov. 5
7. Texas State (4-3)
The Bobcats finished with 500 fewer yards than they had last week against Colorado State and still won.
Last: 20-17 win over Utah State
Next: Boise State on Saturday
The Horned Frogs are averaging 14 points a game against power conference teams, which is just enough to get you beat.
Last: 24-20 loss to West Virginia
Aranda’s final loss snapped a 14-game winning streak over the Jayhawks, the final straw.
Last: 25-24 loss to Kansas
The Mean Green posted scores of 76, 63, 59 and 53 yards against the Midshipmen and still got out-gained, 506-477.
Last: 49-39 win over Navy
Next: Florida Atlantic on Thursday
11. Rice (1-7)
Good news: Gael Ochoa scored four TDs in his first start at quarterback. Bad news: He doesn’t do defense.
Last: 51-49 loss to Florida Atlantic
Next: at North Texas on Nov. 11
12. Sam Houston (1-6)
The Bearkats spent the weekend reflecting on whether the school’s eponym deserves this.
Last: 30-24 loss to New Mexico State on Oct. 21
Next: at Missouri State on Tuesday
13. UTEP (1-6)
The Miners are 1-0 against teams from Texas. Unfortunately, they only play one.
Next: at North Dakota State on Saturday