State of Texas Power Rankings: Week Four

The top spot stays the same coming out of week four, as the Frogs continue to establish their place in the pecking order, not just in the Lone Star State, but possibly the Big 12 Conference, and maybe the country. TCU had the biggest and best win of the weekend, but a surprising conference mate appears poised to take a leap, and is nipping at their rivals heels in the meantime.

1. TCU (4-0): There’s no doubt now that TCU is the best team in the state, at least four weeks into the season. When you go on the road, to a top ten team’s venue - a place you haven’t won since the early 90’s - and put it to a Heisman candidate, dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball, and keep the best offense in the country off the field - you earn that distinction. The Frogs may very well be for real, but they have a long way to go to prove that they are not just the top team in Texas, but one of the best in the country.
2. Texas Tech (3-0): Last week, it was the Cougs surging to make a case as the best team in the state, but that was before the Red Raiders came to town and put them in their place. If Texas Tech has a defense... and that’s still an if, as they continually struggle to put teams away with a big lead... the offense is still good enough to cause people problems. I am not a true believer in Nik Shimonek, but Keke Coutee and Justin Stockton are for real. And lo any team that has to go to Lubbock at night... starting with Oklahoma State this week. Win that one, and the Red Raiders could be a ranked team come October.
3. Houston (2-1): I have no idea what to make of the Cougs. One week, Kyle Allen can’t miss. The next, he’s befuddled by Texas Tech, of all teams. And while the Houston defense was pretty good against an explosive Red Raider O, Tech had over 500 yards and scored in each quarter. The Cougars will have some competition in the AAC this season - Navy, SMU, Memphis, and USF all look legit - and Major Applewhite has some issues to fix, especially on offense. For starters, do the Cougs have a running back? Houston gets to recover with a very winnable road trip to Temple before squaring off with SMU, in what should be a very fun game.
4. UTSA (3-0): Sneaky good, those Road Runners. They struggled a little early against a bad Texas State team, but settled in, scored in every quarter, and came away with an easy W.
5. Texas A&M (3-1): Well, the Aggies can still beat Arky, at least. A&M put up a massive fourth quarter in Jerry World, scored a bushel of points against what is looking like an increasingly weak opponent (thanks for nothing, Razorbacks), and came away with an important SEC win. TAMU gets USC (the bad one) at home before beginning their annual plummet with Alabama coming to Kyle Field.
6. SMU (3-1): **whispers** I think SMU is good. After giving the Frogs all they could handle a week ago in the Carter, the Ponies RUSHED for over 300 yards against Arkansas State and are off to a 3-1 start - halfway to bowl eligibility, baby! The AAC is as good as any mid-major in the country, with a top heavy group we already mentioned. But, I think the Mustangs can compete for the title, and could be an 8 or 9 win team in Chad Morris’ third season in Highland Park.
7. Texas (1-2): Texas played their best game of the season Saturday, showing true championship grit against a very solid Bye Week team that nearly took down Texas Tech the week before. After the win, Tom Herman praised Amazon Prime for their expedited delivery service, one that got the fairy dust shipment to the newly revamped UT locker room just in time. Unfortunately in the win, Sam Ehlinger was sacked six more times, and is now leaving football to pursue MMA Fighting, where he is convinced he will get hit less.
8. UNT (2-2): The Mean Green needed a late field goal to hold off UAB Saturday, but a win is a win regardless, and they start C-USA play 1-0. I think UNT can get to a bowl in 2017, and might be the third best team in their league. But they have been inconsistent early, and need to figure out who they are on offense and defense if they want to challenge UTSA.
9. Rice (1-3): Not a good day for the Owls, who managed just one touchdown against an FIU team that allowed 61 points in their opener. It might be a long season for Rice in 2017.
10. Texas State (1-3): Josh Allen has fallen out of the NFL Draft picture a bit as he has struggled against some quality opponents. Good thing he gets the Bobcats next. Is 500 yards too much?
11. Baylor (0-4): I caught myself almost feeling sorry for the Bears Saturday, who did all they could to shut up the petulant ignoramus that is Baker Mayfield. Despite being down double digits at the half, the winless Bears didn’t give up, instead rallying behind a “who is he now” performance out of Denzel Mims and Zach Smith, who led a furious comeback to tighten things up late. When the Sooners struck back, the Bears answered, and recovered an onside kick to give them a final drive. But the OU defense finally showed up, ending the Baylor chances with a strip sack with just about a minute left. Yeah, I almost felt sorry for Baylor. But... almost only counts in horse shoes and hand me downs.
12. UTEP (0-4): Well, I hope you enjoyed your week at #11, Miners.