Texas FBS rankings week 7
The race to be the No. 1 team in Texas is heating up between Longhorns and Aggies
Oct 10, 2018, 7:05 am
Are the Longhorns No. 1? Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Texas has 12 FBS teams. Each week we rank them based on season-long performance, the prior game, and success relative to their competition. These are the updated rankings following Week 6 and looking forward to Week 7:
No. 12: UTEP
While UTEP gave 4-1 UNT a serious scare last weekend, the Miners still failed to get their first win of the season. They came up just 3 points short of upsetting the Mean Green in their 24-27 loss. At 0-6, UTEP will hope to get their first win in week 8 vs. Louisiana Tech, after they get a chance to rest and prepare during their bye week.
No. 11: Rice
With a disappointing loss to UTSA in Week 6 where the Owls only scored 3 points, Rice is now on a five-game losing skid and does not look to have any idea of how to turn things around. Rice will face a quietly talented, 4-1 UAB team in Week 7 and needs to make a lot of adjustments if they hope to salvage any part of their season.
No. 10: Texas State
After starting the season 1-1, the Bobcats have lost three straight and do not look to have made any real progressions as a program. Texas State will face off against the 4-1 Georgia Southern Eagles in Week 7 which will be another uphill battle.
No. 9: UTSA
The Road Runners were somehow able to defeat the Rice Owls 20-3 with only 43 total passing yards this past weekend on their way to securing their third straight victory. UTSA now sits at 4-3 on the season and has an interesting matchup with Louisiana Tech in Week 7 as they chase a four-game win streak.
No. 8: SMU
After winning two games in a row in Weeks 5 and 6, the Mustangs took a 48-20 beat down from No. 10 UCF. Luckily SMU will have a chance to bounce back after their bye week when they return to action in Week 8 against Tulane. SMU has continued to show uncertainty about their quarterback position as Ben Hicks and William Brown are still sharing playing time midway through the season. Finding a consistent and reliable quarterback will play a big role on how the second half of the season goes for the Mustangs.
No. 7: Baylor
The Bears stay in the Big 12 hunt after securing their fourth win of the season in Week 6 vs. Kansas State. Baylor has a very respectable 4-2 record this season but will be facing a buzzsaw in Texas this coming weekend. The Bears could make a lot of noise in the college football world if they are able to upset a Longhorn team that has recently lodged themselves in the college football spotlight.
No. 6: TCU
After a full week of rest, the Horned Frogs will be thrown back into the fire with the hope of salvaging the second half of their season. The is not doubt that TCU will return hungry to get back to their winning ways in Week 7 but will have to do so by taking down an explosive Texas Tech team.
No. 5: Texas Tech
While Texas Tech fell short in in Week 6, it happened to be against one of the best teams in the nation, undefeated West Virginia. After falling behind 28-7 in the first quarter, the Red Raiders put on an impressive fight as they climbed back into the game, even after starting quarterback Alan Bowman was forced out with an injury. With Bowman expected to play in week 7 vs. TCU, Tech will be excited to get back on the field.
No. 4: UNT
North Texas drops another spot in these rankings after a measly 3-point victory over a UTEP team who has not won a game in almost two years. The Mean Green still seem to be recovering from their heartbreaking loss to Louisiana Tech that ruined their chance at a perfect season. UNT must get back to the high level of play they displayed early in the season if they hope to finish this year like they started.
No. 3: Houston
Houston jumped three spots in this week’s rankings after they secured their fourth win of the season vs. Tulsa. The Cougars have looked impressive since their week 3 loss to Texas Tech, and with the strong play of quarterback D’Eriq King there is limitless potential for the rest of their season. Houston will face an East Carolina team that recently suffered an embarrassing 49-6 loss to Temple in week 6.
No. 2: Texas A&M
Texas A&M fought their way back into the Top 25 rankings after a Week 6 win over a talented Kentucky team. The Aggies have continued to display their versatility on the offensive side of the ball and have the ability to defeat any opponent that lines up against them. With that said, A&M has without a doubt one of the most difficult schedules remaining in college football. Currently three of their six remaining games will be against Top 25 ranked programs, and all of their final six opponents have winning records this season.
No. 1: Texas
After what will go down as one of the most impressive wins of this college football season, the Longhorns not only re-asserted their position as the No. 1 team in Texas but also jumped into Top 10 national rankings. Texas took down the No. 7 ranked Oklahoma Sooners 48-45 and racked up their third victory over a Top 25 ranked opponent this season. While there are still many games to play this season, the Longhorns now have their sights set on competing for a national championship.
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In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
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