1. Texas A&M — Last Week: 2 (7-1)
After Alabama showed A&M why they’re the undisputed No. 1 of FBS play, the Aggies rebounded with an easy one against New Mexico State. The highest ranked team in the Lone Star state are likely the only FBS Texas program that could make a push for CFP inclusion. The Aggies improved to 7-1 for the first time under coach Kevin Sumlin, and possess the best record since 2006. The balanced offense has established their identity under Trevor Knight, rushing for 200+ yards and passing for 200+ yards for the seventh time in eight games, tying South Florida for the most this season.
2. Baylor — Last Week: 1 (6-1)
And then there were none. The reign of the sole undefeated Texas team ended abruptly after Baylor was gored by the Longhorns at Darrell K. Royal stadium 35-34. Along with the West Virginia loss, no Big-12 team is represented in the AP Top-10 this week for the first time this season. Despite their previous undefeated record, the Bears didn’t really have any impressive victories on their resume this season. Losing against a subpar Austin unit without any defensive prowess doesn’t bode well for Baylor’s ranking aspirations. The offensive line did a horrendous job blocking for quarterback Seth Russell, allowing six sacks.
@BUFootball say bye to the playoffs pic.twitter.com/ZJgGhxFtde
— Matt ’15 (@TxAg_Matt15) October 31, 2016
3. Houston — Last Week: 3 (7-2)
The Cougars continued their stunning collapse of the last month with another slip against unranked UCF, trailing Central Florida by 18 points in the first half. Tom Herman’s boys rallied to a 31-24 victory, but seems like the allure of big money for the second year coach’s services has cast a financial shadow over the program. Turnovers seem to have declawed the Cougars over the last four games; Houston was responsible for 12 total turnovers in the aforementioned span, after only coughing up five in the first five victories of the season.
@SportsMT Tom herman Halloween costume pic.twitter.com/EtZJaJuz1R
— Blake Hurst (@THEBLAKEHURST) October 30, 2016
4. Texas Tech — Last Week: 4 (4-4)
The Red Raiders are that elderly relative you love to spy on, whose gradually losing his mind. Sometimes, he’s coherent, fondly recalling memories of his youth; other times, he’s raving about the inevitable culling of America, and soils himself with bubbles spilling from his babbling mouth. This is the foundation coach Kingsbury has laid for Tech — sometimes they play like CFP contenders, other times their competition is more appropriate for the FCS. A game removed from the record-setting 854 yards they stacked against Oklahoma, Tech settled with a more conservative — by Kingsbury standards — offensive output against TCU with 418 yards. The usually laughable defense held their opponent beneath 25 points for the third time this season — an impressive number considering the high offensive ceiling of the Horned Frogs. Consistent play will be needed against a Longhorns team playing with grit and determination, intent on saving coach Strong’s Texas coaching career.
Photo via www.FunnyPica.com
5. Texas Longhorns — Last Week: 5 (4-4)
The UT tower is illuminated orange after the Longhorns upset the higher ranked Baylor for the second consecutive year. Coach Strong’s coaching life was extended by not one player, but twins. The Foreman brothers had a day against Baylor. D’Onta Foreman became the first UT player in nine years to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, reached the 100-yard mark for the ninth consecutive game, and had a career-high 250 yards and two touchdowns; brother Armanti Foreman compiled 142 yards, including one haul for a 40-yard touchdown.
6. SMU — Last Week: 7 (4-4)
7. TCU — Last Week: 6 (4-4)
8. UTSA — Last Week: 10 (4-4)
9. UNT — Last Week: 8 (4-4)
10. UTEP — Last Week: 9 (2-6)
11. Texas State — Last Week: 11 (2-6)
12. Rice — Last Week: 12 (1-7)
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