FBS Power Poll: Baylor Jumps Up After Impressive Road Win

1. Texas (4-0) 

This week: Idle 

Next week: vs. Oklahoma (Cotton Bowl) 

The Horns are the No. 1-ranked team in America heading into the Red River Rivalry against a wounded Oklahoma squad. Texas has won three of the last four against the Sooners. This matchup figures to be a defensive battle rather than the typical shootouts that tend to unfold in the Cotton Bowl.  

Last Week: 1

2. Texas Tech (5-0) 

This week: beat Colorado, 29-7 

Next week: Idle  

Last Week: 2

The preseason Big 12 favorites trailed at halftime in both conference games this season, including a 7-3 deficit against Colorado last weekend. The Red Raiders scored 26 straight in the second half to pull away and remain undefeated.  

3. Houston (4-1) 

This week: beat UCF, 27-17 

Next week: at Kansas State  

Last Week: 3

Houston avoided disaster with a second half comeback led by the three touchdown runs by quarterback Conner Weigman. The Coogs became only the fourth team this season to overcome a second half deficit of 17 points or more in the win over UCF. It kept Willie Fritz’s group in the Big 12 mix.  

4. Baylor (4-1) 

This week: beat Arizona State, 55-19 

Next week: Idle 

Last Week: 6

DJ Lagway accounted for five touchdowns and the Baylor defense held its fifth straight opponent to under 20 points in the win over Arizona State. The Bears enter their open date on a four-game winning streak and a few winnable games waiting on the other side, starting with TCU.  

5. SMU (4-1) 

This week: beat Boston College, 25-16 

Next week: Idle 

Last Week: 4

Nothing is coming easy for the Mustangs in 2026. That includes the recent home win over Boston College in a rainstorm. SMU was outgained by over 100 yards by BC and trailed at the end of the first quarter for the third straight game.  

6. Texas A&M (3-2) 

This week: beat Arkansas, 34-17 

Next week: at Missouri  

Last Week: 5

A matchup with Arkansas was just what the doctor ordered for a reeling Texas A&M squad that started SEC play 0-2. True freshman K.J. Edwards ran for two touchdowns and Marcel Reed avoided mistakes. Next up is a season-defining trip to Missouri.  

7. UTSA (4-1) 

This week: beat Rice, 16-14 

Next week: vs. USF (Thursday) 

Last Week: 7

The Roadrunners are now 2-0 on the road against G6 competition this year and are back to winning close games. The defense held Rice to 3.1 yards a rush and only allowed 13 first downs in the 16-14 win in Week 5. A showdown with USF on Thursday night is looming.  

8. TCU (2-3) 

This week: lost to BYU, 17-10 

Next week: Idle 

Last Week: 8

TCU has now lost all three games by one possession this year after the 17-10 defeat at home against BYU. The Horned Frogs limp into the open week as questions swirl around Sonny Dykes’ footing. His team is now 14-15 against the Big 12 since the start of 2023.  

9. Texas State (2-3) 

This week: lost to San Diego State, 31-29 

Next week: Idle 

Last Week: 9

Special teams errors and missed opportunities on offense cost the Bobcats in their first Pac-12 game. Texas State is 3-8 in the month of October since 2023. Home games against Colorado State and Utah State provide opportunities for momentum following the open week.  

10. North Texas (3-2) 

This week: beat Tulsa 45-44 in overtime  

Next week: vs. Charlotte 

Last Week: 10

Jaheim White starred in the overtime win over Tulsa on Thursday night. The Mean Green have scored at least 44 points in all three wins this season and should be favored in upcoming games against Charlotte and Navy. They might be a real contender in a wide-open American Conference.  

11. Sam Houston (1-3) 

This week: Idle  

Next week: at Liberty (Thursday) 

Last Week: 11

The Bearkats were idle in Week 5 ahead of the Conference USA slate, which starts with a midweek game against Liberty. Sam Houston is the most improved team in Texas and are much better than the 1-3 record indicates.  

12. Rice (1-4) 

This week: lost to UTSA, 16-14 

Next week: at East Carolina  

Last Week: 12

The Owls have lost two of their last three games by one possession, including the Week 5 loss to UTSA. QB Jacurri Brown is must-watch television and the defense performed well against the Roadrunners. The schedule has been brutal and it doesn’t get much easier moving forward.  

13. UTEP (1-4) 

This week: lost to New Mexico, 61-7 

Next week: vs. Nevada 

Last Week: 13

Watching Scotty Walden’s team right now is not an enjoyable experience. The Miners lost by 54 to New Mexico in the program’s first game in the Mountain West. The four losses to FBS teams this season are by an average of 41.5 points per game. The program is 1-14 against the FBS since the start of 2025.