Editor’s Note: Every week, The Prospectors’ own Jason Green will rank all 12 Division I college football teams in the Lone Star State.  The Texas 12 power rankings are based on the results from the past week of games, along with the strength of wins and losses, according to Jason. 

The first week of FBS football in Texas had all football fans feeling great with only two losses across the state. This weekend saw those high hopes come crashing back down to earth and the Texas 12 get shaken up from the middle down. Inevitably it will happen as teams start to finish up with the FCS opponents and begin to face conference foes and other Texas teams.

12 – RICE OWLS (0-2) C-USA

Last week: Lost to Army 31-14

On Rice’s third play of the game, quarterback Tyler Stehling threw a 64-yard touchdown pass and that was about it for the Owls. Apart from a delay in the second quarter when one of Army’s mule mascots took a dump in the end zone, there really was not much entertainment to be found for the other team from Houston for the second week in a row. Next week could get much worse.

This Friday: Baylor (2-0) 6 p.m. MT

11 – NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN (1-1) C-USA

Last week: Won against Bethune-Cookman 41-20

After losing their opening game to fellow Texas 12 team SMU behind the arm of Alabama transfer quarterback Alec Morris, the Mean Green made a change to true freshman quarterback Mason Fine for Saturday’s game. Fine only threw for 108 yards but, he did not turn the ball over three times like Morris did. Running backs Ivery and Wilson combined for three touchdowns.

This Saturday: at Florida (2-0) 5:30 p.m. MT

10 – UTEP MINERS (1-1) C-USA

Last week: Lost to No. 11 Texas 41-7

Lost against the Longhorns as many expected, but the score was a little farther apart than most anticipated. With quarterback Zack Greenlee out, running back Aaron Jones was still able to get his yards somehow, even against a stacked Texas defense. However, with Kavika Johnson starting, there is absolutely no threat of the Miners being able to hurt anyone with the passing game – 9-for-15, 42 yard, sacked five times.

This Saturday: Army (2-0) 5 p.m. MT

9 – SOUTHERN METHODIST MUSTANGS (1-1) AAC

Last week: Lost to No. 23 Baylor 40-13

After heading into halftime tied 6-6 with the Bears, SMU must have been on cloud nine. However, the vaunted Baylor offense got things rolling in the second half and the Mustangs really stood no chance. Playing with the Bears – for a little while – still gets the team a little credit, so that they do not fall too many spots.

This Saturday: Liberty (0-1) 5 p.m. MT

8 – UTSA ROADRUNNERS (1-1) C-USA

Last week: Lost to Colorado State 23-14

After somewhat struggling against FCS team Alabama State the first week, UTSA looked like a totally different team this week against Colorado State. Roadrunners quarterback Dalton Sturm was 15-for-23 with 176 yards and two touchdowns against a Rams team that only the week before had soundly defeated the rival Colorado Buffaloes. The UTSA defense allowed 220 yards rushing to the Rams and that spelled their doom.

This Friday: Arizona State (2-0) 7:30 p.m. MT

7 – TEXAS STATE BOBCATS (1-0) SUN BELT

Last week: Bye

The Bobcats were off this week but, with the Ohio Bobcats coming out this past Saturday and defeating the Kansas Jayhawks, it made the Texas State opening week triple-overtime win look even better. That is how the Texas St. Bobcats were able to move from No. 8 to No. 7 while on a bye week.

This Saturday: at Arkansas (2-0) 5:30 p.m. MT

6 – TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (1-1) BIG-12

Last week: Lost to Arizona State 68-55

As most of us suspected heading into this one, there was no defense to be found anywhere near Tempe, Arizona on Saturday. Patrick Mahomes continues to put up video game numbers with 540 yards and two touchdowns but, it is impossible to win all of your games with no defense. Additionally, the Red Raiders had nine penalties for almost 100 yards in total penalty yardage.

This Saturday: Louisiana Tech (1-1) 5 p.m. MT

5 – TCU HORNED FROGS (1-1) BIG-12

Last week: Lost to Arkansas 41-38 (2OT)

The Horned Frogs lost to Arkansas in one of the most exciting games of the weekend. TCU could have won with :16 left in the game but, kicker Ryan Graf’s game-winner was blocked by the Razorbacks. After holding TCU to a field goal in the second overtime, Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen ran the ball in to win the game and send the Horned Frogs to .500. TCU rises to fifth based on the fight they put up against a great Arkansas team but, could easily fall with another mediocre performance.

This Saturday: Iowa State (0-2) 10 a.m. MT

4 – BAYLOR BEARS (2-0) BIG-12

Last week: Won against SMU 40-13

For two weeks in a row, Baylor has put a whooping on their opponent. For two weeks in a row, they have played an opponent that they should put a whooping on. This week, it took them a while to get going against SMU, however. Quarterback Seth Russell still threw for 261 yards, two touchdowns and rushed for one. Eventually the Bears will have to face a challenge and may move from this fourth spot.

This Friday: at Rice (0-2) 6:00 p.m. MT

3 – TEXAS A&M AGGIES (2-0) SEC

Last week: Won against Prairie View A&M 67-0

This game against an FCS opponent went about like it should for the Aggies which is exactly why they remained in the number three spot. Texas A&M added 67 points and 672 total yards to their team statistics. Prairie View A&M added $450,000 to their Athletic Department’s budget. I guess you could say it was a win-win.

This Saturday: at Auburn (1-1) 5 p.m. MT

2 – TEXAS LONGHORNS (2-0) BIG-12

Last week: Won against UTEP 41-7

UTEP struggled from the outset against the suddenly potent Longhorn offense behind the arm of freshman quarterback Shane Buechele. UTEP’s lone touchdown came in the second quarter, while the Longhorns scored in double digits in all four quarters apart from the fourth when they backed it down to only one touchdown. Buechele was 22-for-27 for 244 yards and four touchdowns in only his second collegiate game. Although UTEP looked fairly stagnant on offense with Kavika Johnson at the helm, it is clear to see that Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong still has a dominant defense down in Austin.

This Saturday: at California (1-1) 8:30 p.m. MT

1 – HOUSTON COUGARS (2-0) AAC

Last week: Won against Lamar  42-0

Well, it was Lamar but, like I’ve said in plenty of these other recaps – the Cougars did what they were supposed to do. Houston rested some starters and could have actually won by even more had they not missed two field goals and turned the ball over twice in the red zone. I will keep them ahead of the Longhorns until I am given a reason not to. That will be tough as they face the hellacious AAC for almost the whole way now.

This Thursday: at Cincinnati (2-0) 5:30 p.m. MT