College Football in Texas: Mid-Season Review
Believe it or not, we’re halfway through the regular season, meaning it’s time to take stock of our Best in Texas rankings to see which schools have a shot at winning their respective conferences. The college football season has been exciting so far, with several Texas teams performing well and making a strong case for themselves in the playoffs.
Everything lines up for Texas A&M going into the second half. The Aggies’ biggest games remaining are LSU, Missouri, and Texas, all ranked. Not an easy run, but still a good bit of scheduling. No Georgia, no Ole Miss, no Alabama or Tennessee. This favorable schedule could give the Aggies an edge in the playoffs.
Of course, A&M started out well last year in Mike Elko’s debut, only to see it all fall apart with losses in three of its last four Southeastern Conference games against unranked South Carolina and Auburn before losing to third-ranked Texas. However, this season looks different, with the Aggies’ defense looking tighter and their offense more explosive.
Team Performances
Texas salvaged its playoff hopes with a conservative game plan that took the pressure off Arch Manning by getting the ball out of his hand quickly against the nation’s No. 1 defense. Oklahoma only got to him once, and Texas’ defense responded after giving up 29 points in a loss to Florida. The Longhorns’ big games include Vanderbilt, Georgia, and A&M, making the game in Austin the day after Thanksgiving potentially more than just a rivalry game.
Before the season, the SMU-Clemson game this week looked like a marquee matchup. Not so much now. But, if the Mustangs can win there, it sets up an Atlantic Coast Conference title shot on the Hilltop when Miami visits Nov. 1. North Texas hosted the biggest party in school history but had South Florida tear up the drapes, soil the carpet, and run off with the caterer’s truck. At least it was fun for a half, and now only Memphis stands in the way of the Bulls and the American Athletic Conference title.
Texas Tech’s closest game in a 6-0 start was a 24-point win at Houston. Playing at Arizona State this week will be a test, and maybe Kansas State is finally getting it together after upsetting TCU. But after that, only BYU in Lubbock remains, making the Red Raiders look like strong contenders.
Rankings
The current rankings have Texas A&M at the top, followed closely by Texas Tech. The Aggies and Red Raiders are the state’s best College Football Playoff bets, though there is always room for surprise in the world of college football.
1. Texas A&M (6-0)
Aggies did what Texas couldn’t against Gators, though it’s nice not to have to play in the Swamp. Their last game was a 34-17 win over Florida, and they are set to play at Arkansas on Saturday.
2. Texas Tech (6-0)
Cameron Dickey’s 263 yards rushing were the fifth-most in Tech single-game history. Their last game was a 42-17 win over Kansas, and they will play at Arizona State on Saturday.
3. Texas (4-2)
Defense bounces back to keep OU out of the end zone for the second straight year. Their last game was a 23-6 win over Oklahoma, and they will play at Kentucky on Saturday.
4. Houston (5-1)
Coogs are off to their best start since 2016. Their last game was a 39-17 win over Oklahoma State, and they will play Arizona on Saturday.
5. Baylor (4-2)
Bears are out to beat Frogs back-to-back for the first time since 2013-14. They were idle last week and will play at TCU on Saturday.
6. TCU (4-2)
Frogs are 6-8 on the road since their title game run in ‘22. Their last game was a 41-28 loss to Kansas State, and they will play Baylor on Saturday.
7. SMU (4-2)
Mustangs are now 10-0 in ACC regular-season play. Their last game was a 34-10 win over Stanford, and they will play at Clemson on Saturday.
8. UNT (5-1)
Mean Green can’t let the blowout ruin their best start since 1959. Their last game was a 63-36 loss to South Florida, and they will play UTSA on Saturday.
9. Texas State (3-3)
Missed FG attempt at the end of regulation was costly. Their last game was a 48-41 loss to Troy in OT, and they will play at Marshall on Saturday.
10. UTSA (3-3)
Roadrunners have to hope Mean Green is still hung over. Their last game was a 61-13 win over Rice, and they will play at UNT on Saturday.
11. Rice (3-4)
Scott Abell twice used “holistically” at the postgame presser, which is why he’s at Rice. Their last game was a 61-13 loss to UTSA, and they will play UConn on Oct. 25.
12. UTEP (1-5)
Best in Texas’ Battle of the Bilge is on tap this week. Their last game was a 19-8 loss to Liberty, and they will play at Sam Houston on Wednesday.
13. Sam Houston (0-6)
Sam’s last chance to beat a team from Texas. Their last game was a 29-27 loss to Jacksonville State, and they will play UTEP on Wednesday.
Conclusion
As we move into the second half of the season, it’s clear that Texas A&M and Texas Tech are the teams to beat in Texas. With their strong performances and favorable schedules, they have a good shot at making it to the playoffs. However, college football is full of surprises, and anything can happen in the remaining games. Fans will be on the edge of their seats as the season unfolds and the best teams in Texas fight for the top spot.
Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which teams are currently ranked highest in Texas?
A: Texas A&M and Texas Tech are currently the highest-ranked teams in Texas, both with a 6-0 record.
Q: What are the biggest games remaining for Texas A&M?
A: The Aggies’ biggest games remaining are against LSU, Missouri, and Texas, all of which are ranked teams.
Q: How has Texas Tech performed so far this season?
A: Texas Tech is off to a strong start with a 6-0 record, including a 24-point win at Houston, which was their closest game so far.
Q: Which team has the best chance of winning the American Athletic Conference title?
A: Currently, the Bulls have the best chance, with only Memphis standing in their way after their loss to South Florida.
