Texas Sen. Ted Cruz believes the 2016 race for the Republican presidential nomination is becoming a two-man contest between Donald Trump and himself.

Cruz celebrated his 45th birthday in Tennessee on Tuesday, where the senator stumped as part of his tour of the March 1 nominating states — particularly those in the "SEC primary."

"I did think it was interesting that Donald Trump said a couple of days ago that he thinks this race will come down to him and me. I think Donald may well be right," Cruz said in Tennessee. "I think it could easily end up being a two-man race between Donald Trump and me. And I think that presents a good choice to the American people. This process is a job interview. It is a job interview where each and every one of us is standing before 330 million Americans and trying to make the case in terms of who is best prepared to be commander-in-chief."

Cruz said he has seen evidence that the race is coming down to just two candidates while on his journey through the Super Tuesday nominating states before the Christmas holiday. But Cruz said he believes, "If conservatives unite, this race is over."

Cruz ranks first in the Washington Examiner's newest GOP presidential power rankings. Trump ranks second.