Steve Sarkisian said he was going to evaluate everything after a 27-24 loss to Florida. So are we when it comes to the Longhorns. We have far fewer questions when it comes to Texas Tech and Houston.
The Chronicle's rankings for the 13 FBS teams in Texas:
1. Texas Tech (6-0) | Last week: 1
The Red Raiders are 18-2 since the start of the 2025 season, and 17 of those wins have been by double-digits after a 53-25 win over Arizona State. The only close call this year was against …
2. Houston (6-1) | Last week: 2
Remember how close Conner Weigman was to that game-tying 2-point conversion against Texas Tech? Maybe the Cougars will get a rematch in the Big 12 title game. Weigman's five TD passes keyed a 35-32 win over Oklahoma State, but No. 11 Utah is next.
3. SMU (5-1) | Last week: 3
SMU added men's lacrosse and an all-sports jersey patch, sponsored by Texas Capital, last week. Oh, yes, the football team keeps winning after a 23-13 decision over Virginia.
4. Texas A&M (4-3) | Last week: 6
Perhaps we should check with the reader comments on TexAgs.com to see if this ranking is appropriate after a 41-0 win over The Citadel, a 2-5 team from the Southern Conference in the FCS.
5. UTSA (6-1) | Last week: 7
Five of UTSA's games have been a one-score margin in the fourth quarter. The Roadrunners prevailed again with a 38-34 win over Navy. As coach Jeff Traylor asked, "Are you not entertained?"
6. TCU (3-3) | Last week: 8
The Horned Frogs' 17-6 win over Baylor was their first over a team from a Power 4 conference this season, so we'll wait a week before taking Sonny Dykes off the hot seat.
7. Baylor (4-2) | Last week: 5
DJ Lagway didn't expect to hear boos in Waco after transferring from Florida. Of course, we all expected he would complete more than 22 of 53 passes for 256 yards as he did in the loss to TCU.
8. North Texas (4-2) | Last week: 9
The Mean Green had a week off. Not that they would look ahead but they are at UTSA on Nov. 14 with first-place in the AAC possibly at stake.
9. Texas State (3-3) | Last week: 10
It's been a long weekend to party in San Marcos after the Bobcats ran all over Colorado State in a 66-17 win Thursday. Torrance Burgess Jr. rushed for 224 yards and quarterback Brad Jackson added another 181 on the ground.
10. Rice (1-6) | Last week: 11
Rice cannot live on Jacurri Brown alone. The Owls' quarterback had a career-best 154 yards rushing and TD runs of 50 and 78 yards in a 38-17 loss to Tulsa. Rice has lost six in a row and will have to win its last five to be bowl eligible.
11. Sam Houston (1-5) | Last week: 12
Wednesdays are turning out like the other days the Bearkats play. They lost last Wednesday to Western Kentucky and will try again this Wednesday against New Mexico State.
12. UTEP (1-6) | Last week: 13
If you're looking for a silver lining, the Miners' 24-11 loss to San Jose State was their closest game of the season against FBS teams.
13. Texas (4-2) | Last week: 4
We'll see what Steve Sarkisian finds in his evaluations. For now, the Longhorns, who had been ranked No.1 in the country after beating Ohio State, will be graded on the curve, given the resources, talent and payroll.
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Texas college football rankings: No doubts about Texas Tech and UH but plenty on the Longhorns.