FCS Power Poll: Tarleton State, SFA Reign Supreme

The FCS Power Poll remains unchanged from the published version on Oct. 5.

But that doesn’t mean much hasn’t happened since the last update. Tarleton State and SFA have elevated themselves to the top two spots in the ranking while Abilene Christian is on a three-game winning streak that’s placed them back into UAC contention.

Further down the ranks, Houston Christian remains the surprise team in the state while SWAC schools Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern disappoint based on preseason expectations.

1. Tarleton State (7-0)

Last week: beat Central Arkansas, 49-35
This week: at West Georgia
Prev. ranking: #1

The Texans are the No. 1 team in the FCS for the first time in program history. They hold an FBS win over Bowling Green and a Top 10 win in the FCS ranks after knocking off No. 9 Austin Peay on Oct. 10. Their next two opponents – West Georgia and Eastern Kentucky – are a combined 3-11. The only thing standing between them and an undefeated season is a clash with a surging Abilene Christian squad on Nov. 7 in Stephenville. The offense is averaging over 40 points per game.

2. SFA (7-0)

Last week: beat Nicholls, 56-0
This week: vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Prev. ranking: #2

The Jacks are ranked No. 2 in the nation and are alone atop the Southland Conference standings as the only remaining unbeaten. They’ve won their four conference games by an average of 26.5 points per game, including the 56-0 blowout win over Nicholls the last time out. SFA also has a 19-point non-conference win over an Abilene Christian squad that is flirting with a Top 25 ranking. SFA’s offense is averaging 40.86 points per game and the defense is only allowing 13.

3. Lamar (5-2)

Last week: lost to Southeastern Louisiana, 34-31
This week: vs. Houston Christian
Prev. ranking: #3

The recent loss to Southeastern Louisiana dropped Lamar into a tie for second place in the Southland Conference and out of the Top 10 in the FCS. Still, Pete Rossamondo’s program is heading in the right direction and is still a playoff team if they don’t let that loss linger. The team they’re tied with in the SLC at 3-1 is Houston Christian, which is their next opponent.

4. ACU (4-4)

Last week: beat North Alabama, 31-28
This week: Idle
Prev. ranking: #4

The Wildcats are a on a three-game winning streak and beginning to look like the team that was supposed to challenge Tarleton for the UAC championship. ACU took its licks early with an 0-3 start against the likes of Lamar, Texas Tech, and SFA, but Keith Patterson’s team is surging and is undefeated in conference play. The Tarleton game is on the road, however, and ACU needs to win out to reach the playoffs.

5. UIW (3-4)

Last week: beat UTRGV, 41-16
This week: vs. McNeese
Prev. ranking: #5

The record isn’t great for the Cardinals and head coach Clint Killough, but a deeper look at the schedule reveals a team that is close to returning to SLC contention. UIW’s three losses to fellow G6 teams were to No. 2 SFA, No. 7 NAU, and No. 15 Lamar. The only defeat was on the road against Texas State. The schedule isn’t as grueling down the stretch and that gives the Cardinals a chance to build some momentum in 2026 by winning seven or eight games.

6. HCU (4-3)

Last week: beat East Texas A&M, 43-24
This week: at Lamar
Prev. ranking: #6

Houston Christian is on a two-game winning streak after knocking off a plucky East Texas A&M team last weekend. Two of the three losses this season were to FBS teams. The other was on the road against UIW. Jason Bachtel’s bunch is the most improved FCS team in Texas and remain tied for second place in the SLC after seven games. He thought this team was talented enough to get to six or seven wins back in the spring. HCU might win even more than that.

7. East Texas A&M (2-5)

Last week: lost to HCU, 43-24
This week: vs. Prairie View A&M
Prev. ranking: #7

The Lions looked like a team that had turned a corner and could give the teams at the top of the SLC a scare after dropping a three-point loss to McNeese at the end of September and then starting October with a close win over UTRGV. That momentum was dashed in the 19-point loss to HCU last weekend, however. A tough slate to end the season includes upcoming conference games against Southeastern Louisiana, Lamar, and UIW.

8. UTRGV (3-4)

Last week: lost to UIW, 41-16
This week: at Central Arkansas
Prev. ranking: #8

The sophomore slump continues for a UTRGV program that enjoyed a fairytale debut season a year ago. The latest setback was a 25-point loss on the road to UIW. The good news for the Vaqueros is that they still haven’t lost a home game since starting the program and the two toughest games remaining on the schedule – SFA and Lamar – are in Edinburg. The bad news is three of the next five games are on the road, where they’re 0-4 this season.

9. Prairie View A&M (3-5)

Last week: beat Alcorn State, 41-38
This week: at East Texas A&M
Prev. ranking: #9

What was supposed to be a celebratory season for the Panthers in Year 2 of the Tremaine Jackson era was turned upside down when they lost back-to-back SWAC games and were eliminated from postseason possibilities. That forced Jackson’s hand, and he made a few staff changes because of it. The Panthers get a chance to beat a non-SWAC FCS team this weekend against East Texas A&M.

10. Texas Southern (1-5)

Last week: lost to Mississippi Valley State, 38-34
This week: vs. Grambling
Prev. ranking: #10

Texas Southern is on a five-game losing streak and are 0-3 in the SWAC this season. The defense is allowing a staggering 46.67 points per game.