Texas-Rio Grande Valley's ratings dwarf its record against East Texas A&M

A 2-2 mark for Texas-Rio Grande Valley does not look like much next to a 1-4 start for East Texas A&M, but the gap between these two Southland Conference teams is far wider than either record suggests. Versus grades the Vaqueros an A- overall with an A in both power and defense, ranking them 30th in FCS. The Lions sit at 110th, carrying a D overall grade, and Versus's numbers put UTRGV 80 spots ahead in the FCS pecking order.

Texas-Rio Grande Valley brings a top-25 offense and defense in the same season, a distinction only 19 FCS teams share, and the model gives the Vaqueros a 19th in offense and 13th in defense to go with it. East Texas A&M's defense actually grades out respectably at B-, ranked 64th, but the Lions have been outscored on average over their last five games, a stretch that has gone 1-4.

This is a conference matchup, and Versus projects Texas-Rio Grande Valley to win 33-17, an 81 percent chance of victory. The Vaqueros have also won nine straight home games dating back to August 2025, though this one is on East Texas A&M's field. The ratings gap, more than either team's record, is the story here.