FBS Power Poll: Longhorns Rise, Big 12 Teams Fall Following Rocky Week 8

College football is more volatile than ever and the state of Texas is not immune to its increasingly unpredictable results. That can swing both positively and negatively.

The Longhorns, left for dead after consecutive losses to unranked teams, beat a top 15 team for the third time this season. SMU outscored Cal, 42-0, in the second half to stay in the ACC race. UTSA and North Texas are on a collision course for the American Conference crown.

The pendulum swung the other way for the rest of the state, however. All four of the in-state Big 12 teams – Texas Tech, Houston, Baylor, and TCU – fell in Week 8. Three of the four were favorites. Texas A&M dropped its fourth SEC game of the season in the loss to Alabama.

The up-and-down nature of the sport makes power polls an impossible proposition, but I try my best below.

1. Texas (5-2)

This week: beat Ole Miss, 34-27
Next week: vs. Mississippi State
Last week rank: #4

Arch Manning scored three touchdowns and Will Muschamp’s defense forced three turnovers in the potential season-saving win over Ole Miss. Running back Raleek Brown’s 157 yards paced a rushing attack that averaged six yards a carry when sack adjusted. With win over Ohio State and Ole Miss, Texas likely reaches the CFP at 9-3.

2. Texas Tech (6-1)  

This week: lost to Cincinnati, 37-24
Next week: vs. Arizona
Last week rank: #1

For the second year in a row, the Red Raiders fell on the road to an unranked opponent in Week 8 after starting the season 6-0. The loss last year to Arizona State was only by four points and could be explained away because Tech was without its starting quarterback. But the weekend’s loss to Cincinnati felt more like a referendum than a fluke.

3. SMU (6-1)

This week: beat Cal, 59-20
Next week: at Syracuse
Last week rank: #3

The Mustangs dusted off a sluggish first half performance by outscoring Cal 42-0 in the second half. Kevin Jennings three touchdowns and set the school record for touchdown passes in his career, solidifying his case for best quarterback in program history. SMU remains in the CFP hunt and are rolling towards a showdown with Wake Forest in November. The winner could face Miami in the ACC Championship game.

4. Houston (6-2)

This week: Utah,
Next week: Idle
Last week rank: #2

Schedule luck bit Houston in 2026. The Cougars lost by eight points at Utah, their second road loss to a top 10 team this year by one possession. If one or two of those games are at home, maybe they’re a top 10 team and still in the Big 12 mix. Instead, it’ s tough climb to Arlington with two conference losses. A 10-win season is still possible, though.

5. UTSA (7-1)

This week: beat Tulane, 42-19
Next week: Idle
Last week rank: #5

Owen McCown threw a pick-six on the first play of the game. After that, his Roadrunners outscored Tulane 42-12 to stay undefeated in conference play and improve to 3-1 on the road. The defense forced six turnovers and registered three sacks. Will Henderson III led a rushing attack that topped 220 yards as a team. UTSA’s lone loss is to Texas, so Jeff Traylor’s squad is in the conversation for the G6 playoff bid if they can win out.

6. North Texas (5-2)

This week: beat Navy, 49-39
Next week: vs. FAU
Last week rank: #8

The vibes are immaculate in Denton, America. The Mean Green pushed their winning streak to four and are one of only two teams in the American that are undefeated in conference play. The other is UTSA. North Texas boasts one of the best offenses in the country and that puts Neal Brown’s bunch in every game. Tayven Jackson threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, including 209 yard and a pair of scores to Justin Stevenson. Jaheim White ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

7. TCU (3-4)

This week: lost to West Virginia, 24-20
Next week: vs. Kansas
Last week rank: #6

The Horned Frogs have lost four games this season by a combined 24 points. All four of them were by one possession. They were favored in three of them. TCU continues to struggle in the margins under Sonny Dykes, who is under fire by a rightfully frustrated fan base. His teams are 15-16 against the Big 12 since the start of 2023.

8. Baylor (4-3)

This week: lost to Kansas, 25-24
Next week: at UCF
Last week rank: #7

The offense looked lost for the second straight week as the Bears fell as road favorites against Kansas. Any momentum that Dave Aranda was building towards returning in 2027 was erased after the losses to TCU and the Jayhawks coming out of the open date. It feels like a matter of when, not if, Baylor is searching for a new head coach for the first time since 2019.

9. Texas A&M (4-4)

This week: lost to Alabama, 31-20
Next week: Idle
Last week rank: #9

Marcel Reed settled in after two early interceptions but the Aggies were outlasted on the road against Alabama. Texas A&M has lost four of its last five and enter the open date with more questions than answers. Mike Elko’s challenge is keeping together the current roster while figuring out which players he can build around in 2027.

10. Texas State (4-3)

This week: beat Utah State, 20-17
Next week: at Boise State
Last week rank: #10

Offense typically wins the day for the Bobcats under G.J. Kinne but it was defense and special teams that helped them knock off Utah State. Texas State is now on a two-game winning streak heading into consecutive road trips to Boise State and Oregon State, arguably the two best G6 teams.

11. Rice (1-7)

This week: lost to FAU, 51-49
Next week: Idle
Last week rank: #11

Gael Ochoa rushed for 259 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start. All four of his touchdown runs were for over 50 yards. But the Owls lost another close decision, this time in a thriller at FAU. Rice has been within a possession in each of its six losses to G6 teams this season.

12. Sam Houston (1-6)

This week: lost to New Mexico State, 30-24
Next week: at Missouri State
Last week rank: #12

Game mismanagement and inconsistent offense cost the Bearkats at home against New Mexico State in a winnable game. Those are both on Phil Longo, who is the head coach and play caller. His offense went 12 quarters between touchdowns before breaking the drought in the second half. But it wasn’t enough to stop the skid. Sam Houston is now 2-17 against FBS opponents since the start of 2025.  

13. UTEP (1-6)

This week: Idle
Next week: at North Dakota State
Last week rank: #13

The Miners were idle over the weekend. A trip to North Dakota State awaits Scotty Walden and a UTEP team that desperately needs a strong performance. They should be healthier coming off the open date.