With many Texas non-FBS teams at or reaching the midpoint of their race for a conference title, it’s time to examine where each team slots in their respective conference races. 

Teams are divided into national contenders, conference contenders, those teams hanging by a thread in the race, and those teams who need wins and prayers answered to win their conference. The good news is that no teams have been eliminated. However, at least one team will be eliminated with a loss in its next game.

Note: Teams are in alphabetical order by division.

National Contenders

Tarleton - Some will argue that the Texans do not belong in this conversation yet. They have the talent to be a threat, but this team needs Victor Gabalis healthy to reach its full potential.

UIW - The Cardinals have played a very challenging schedule. They are currently the favorites to win the Southland Conference and showcased their ability to dominate opponents during last week’s win over Nicholls.

Hardin-Simmons - The Cowboys appear to be a team that will contend for a national title. However, HSU still has two games against ETBU and one against a UMHB team desperate to avenge last Saturday’s thrashing.

Texas Wesleyan - The Texas Wesleyan administration and Brad Sherrod deserve much credit for how dominant this program has remained despite late changes to the coaching staff.

Kilgore - This Rangers team has the talent to reach the national semifinals again this year. Their biggest hurdle is overcoming a propensity to commit unnecessary penalties.

Conference Contenders

Abilene Christian - The Wildcats are one of a handful of FCS teams capable of making a run in the playoffs this year if they can survive the United Athletic Conference. A trip to Tarleton to end the regular season could determine the UAC champion.

Lamar - The best coaching job in Texas over the last two years has been in Beaumont. The Cardinals haven’t yet reached the level of SFA and UIW. But they are dangerous enough to upset UIW and claim a share of the Southland title.

Stephen F. Austin - The Lumberjacks are a very talented team capable of making a run in the FCS playoffs. However, they cannot afford another disaster like what happened at McNeese.

Angelo State - The Lone Star Conference title could be decided when the Rams host Central Washington in early November. ASU’s defense is championship-caliber, but the offense must produce 20 points a game.

East Texas Baptist - The Tigers have two games against HSU and a home contest with UMHB remaining. Make no mistake, this ETBU team is capable of pulling an upset or two this year.

Mary Hardin-Baylor - Last week’s loss to HSU was disheartening for many Crusader fans. However, the defense played well, and a change at quarterback this week could be the spark the offense needs to start a winning streak.

McMurry - The War Hawks will clinch the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title with a victory at TLU in two weeks. A DIII playoff bid isn’t out of the question for McMurry.

Texas Lutheran - The Bulldogs must defeat McMurry at home in two weeks to remain in the SCAC title race. TLU and McMurry are the top two teams in the SCAC through one rotation of the double round-robin.

Trinity - The Tigers need to win out, including defeating Southern Athletic Association favorite Berry at home in two weeks, and have Centre lose at least once to finish in a tie for the conference title.

Cisco - The Wranglers were rolling and appeared to be a national contender until a 20-5 defeat at New Mexico Military Institute last week. Still, a win over Tyler on Saturday places Cisco squarely back into the conversation.

Navarro - The Bulldogs ended a two-game losing streak with a 61-10 win over TVCC last week. Navarro’s playoff hopes will be determined in its final three regular season games against Cisco, Tyler, and NMMI.

Tyler - Many questions surrounded the Apaches after their 0-2 start to the season, but four consecutive wins have Tyler atop the Southwestern Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC).

Hanging By A Thread

Houston Christian - The Huskies' next three contests, at SFA and UIW and at home against Nicholls, will determine their hopes of claiming the Southland title.

Texas A&M-Commerce - An already thin thread will likely break with the Lions underdogs in their final four SLC games against Lamar, McNeese, HCU, and UIW.

Midwestern State - The Mustangs must win for the remainder of the regular season to claim the LSC title. However, their hopes could quickly fade with games against Angelo State and CWU in the next two weeks.

Texas A&M-Kingsville - The Javelinas will become a conference contender if they defeat an angry Central Washington team this weekend. Still, they need Angelo State to lose at least once to claim a share of the LSC crown.

UTPB - A road victory over Central Washington was unexpected with a true freshman quarterback behind center. While repeating as LSC champs is a long shot, a playoff bid is possible with wins in their final four games.

West Texas A&M - Last week, the Buffs' offense was transformed by a quarterback change. However, the new look will be challenged over the team’s final five games, beginning with the Wagon Wheel rivalry at Eastern New Mexico on Saturday.

Southwestern - The Pirates opened the season with wins over McMurry and Puget Sound before losing two of their first three SAA games. They still have a challenging road ahead, with contests against Millsaps, Centre, and Trinity on the schedule.

Wayland Baptist - One of the best non-FBS stories in Texas is the job that Marcos Hinojos Sr., and his staff have built at WBU in two years. In two weeks, the Pioneers will see where they stand with the best of the Sooner Athletic Conference against TxWes.

Blinn - The Buccaneers could not ride the momentum of an incredible comeback victory over Navarro. Blinn’s playoff hopes rest on beating Kilgore and Cisco to end the regular season.

Trinity Valley - The Cardinals have struggled against the top of the SWJCFC this season, and the road remains challenging this week at home against Kilgore. 

Saying Prayers

Prairie View A&M - It appears the Panthers streak of extending their SWAC West Division title streak will end at two, considering they’ve lost three games this season with Florida A&M and Alcorn remaining on the schedule.

Texas Southern - The Tigers have struggled since a season-opening win over PVAMU, and their prospects of winning the SWAC West aren’t good, with games against FAMU and Alcorn looming.

Sul Ross State - The Lobos are more competitive than many expected in their first year against LSC competition. This is a testament to the job Barry Derickson and staff have done with minimal resources.

Austin College - All Tony Joe White needs is some time and patience, and he can turn any program into a winner. The Kangaroos have shown improvement this season and could be contenders for the SCAC title in a few years.

Howard Payne - Since Week 1, the Yellow Jackets have been one of the most improved Texas non-FBS teams. Still, the ASC is absolutely brutal.

Nelson - The team formerly known as SAGU began the season with two victories. The Lions' positive news is they have a more manageable schedule after traveling to meet TxWes on Saturday.

North American - The Stallions will be eliminated from SAC title contention with one loss in their remaining four conference games.

Texas College - Jarrail Jackson has led the Steers to three wins this season, one less than the total number of games the program has won since 2018. He has minimal funding and serves as the head baseball coach, making what he’s accomplished more remarkable.