Baylor takes over at top of Texas Dirty Dozen

Here’s how we rank the 12 Texas FBS programs this week:

1. Baylor: 6-0, Saturday at Texas — This time, the Bears won’t have to challenge Longhorns with a converted wide receiver running their offense.

2. Texas A&M: 6-1, Saturday vs. New Mexico State — Even in defeat, the Aggies might have provided the blueprint on how to beat Alabama. Jim Harbaugh, were you watching?

3. Houston: 6-2, Saturday vs. Central Florida — Biggest reason for the Cougars’ recent collapse, Big 12 rejection notwithstanding, has been a struggling defense. UH has allowed opponents to average 395.5 yards and 32.3 points per game in the last four games, compared to 228.8 yards and 10.5 points in first four.

4. TCU: 4-3, Saturday vs. Texas Tech — Horned Frogs were doomed against West Virginia after early turnovers, especially when the defense isn’t making the kind of plays TCU used to make. Is Gary Patterson losing his wizard status?

5. Texas Tech: 3-4, Saturday at TCU — There’s bad defense and then there’s Tech’s defense. Amazing that David Gibbs still has a job after Oklahoma torched them for 854 yards and 66 points.

6. Texas: 3-4, Saturday vs. Baylor — In the 124-season history of UT’s program, the Longhorns have started 3-4 or worse 18 times — including each of last three seasons.

7. SMU: 3-4, Saturday at Tulane — After a dismissal from Tom Herman during the spring, the Mustangs were waiting a long time for payback.

8. North Texas: 4-3, Saturday at UTSA — Opportunistic Mean Green produced seven turnovers against Army and have scored on a pick-six in consecutive weeks. But can Seth Littrell’s team keep the feeding frenzy going?

9. UTEP: 2-5, Saturday vs. Old Dominion — Nice show of perseverance by the Miners, who twice climbed out of 14-point deficits to claim the epic five-OT victory over UTSA. And with tailback Aaron Jones healthy and a favorable upcoming schedule, the Miners aren’t out of the running for a bowl bid.

10. UTSA: 3-4, Saturday vs. North Texas — Fans will long remember the five-overtime game as one that got away, although the Roadrunners outplayed UTEP for most of the game. Their lack of killer instinct doomed them.

11. Texas State: 2-5, Nov. 5 at Appalachian State — Pathetic offensive effort against Louisiana-Lafayette featured a field goal on the Bobcats’ first drive and then scoreless possessions for their final 10 drives. It was their third game without a touchdown this season.

12. Rice: 1-6, Saturday at Louisiana Tech — Owls fans can rejoice after Tyler Stehling threw for five touchdowns to spark a victory over Prairie View A&M. But it’s not a good sign when an FCS team singes Rice for 457 yards and 44 points.