The Texas top seven is back with a surprise team rocketing upwards

Yes, yes I know I am over two weeks late. Life happens fast, and this got away from me. The bright side, just like my last pause this really helped me cleanup these rankings. So take a look, and prepare to be surprised.

1) Texas

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Texas is atop the mountain of the state once again, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. While banged up, they are the most talented team on this list and Ehlinger is fighting hard to keep the offense rolling.

Texas isn’t a title contender yet but I think the natural order of the state’s football has been restored with the Horns running away from the rest of the pack.

2) SMU

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PONY POWER BABY! SMU followed up their impressive win over TCU with a thorough domination of USF. I will say though, their ranking is largely the product of other teams in the state being far worse than expected but still, I am riding high with SMU.

The offense has really taken a step forward with Shane at the helm, and their defense is respectable enough to allow the offense to thrive.

3) Baylor

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Baylor survived Iowa State’s ferocious rally. I hate putting Baylor this high but I respect the win and the effort to survive a game they probably should have lost. The Bears are poor offensively, but Brewer is decent enough to keep them alive.

The question is going to be can the defense play like they did this weekend. They need to force turnovers and limit explosive plays to help their offense out.

Two bad offensive showings are alarming, but because the Bears keep finding ways to win they will stay in the top 3.

4) Texas A&M

The Aggies have a thing where they just don’t show up against a terrible Arkansas team, and somehow escape with a win. The Aggies are not good this year, much to the delight of myself and their dismay as Jimbo cashes his giant check. This team looks no better than it did under Sumlin, but now they are paying a premium to not compete in the SEC.

Mond is overrated, and they have no real ground game. The defense is improved, but they still got gashed by freaking Arkansas. Another year of dreams are shattering in College Station.

5) TCU

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Ground and pound is going to be how TCU wins games because they have nothing at QB. Bright side, they have a good defense so as long as the quarterbacks don’t actively play against their team like against SMU they can win games.

The other bright side, their offense isn’t as bad as the next team on this list. The Horned Frogs are in for a mediocre year but they can sneak into a bowl game if the quarterbacks just stay out of everyone else’s way.

6) Texas Tech

I don’t want to talk about our boys anymore, it really is too depressing after awhile. Read my analysis in the Big 12 power rankings if you feel like being sad today. Really, the team does nothing well and the coaches have shown a lot of quit.

This is an uglier start than most predicted for Wells. I think there is enough talent on the roster to fight their qay to 6 wins, but something has to change. Yost has to change his offense, and the offensive line has to wake the hell up.

7) Houston

Houston is a disaster zone right now, with their best player in King redshirting and the defense getting run over by Tulane. I think Dana will turn it around, but if anyone was hoping for an immediate return to Herman-style glory they have a long wait ahead. I doubt there is another Ed Oliver out there willing to lose games to help improve this team.

Give it time though Cougars, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Contention in the AAC should return next year.