Week 11 of HBCU Football brought us closer to the finish line, but the top teams in HBCU Sports’ latest breakdown, I think, are holding their own … for the most part. See the action in this week’s poll.
1. Jackson State (7-2)
Last week: Mississippi Valley State defeated 42-3
Next: vs Bethune-Cookman Saturday November 15th
JSU is closing in on another Swac East Title and could shake things up with a win this weekend against likely hot Bethune-Cookman. After that, the Tigers will look to get healthy and prepare for their SWAC Championship opponent.
2. Alabama State (7-2)
Last week: beat Texas Southern 42-24
Next up: VS. Mississippi Valley State in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday
The Hornets will be busy this weekend against Vade, but so will Bethune-Cookman fans.
3. Prairie A&M (7-3)
Last week: ALABAMA beat A&M 48-5
Next: VS. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saturday, November 15
The Panthers were upstaged by the Bulldogs for the Swac West title this weekend, leading to a 5-0 loss. UAPB won’t roll with it, so PV you have to treat this game like any other, even with this much.
4. South Carolina State (7-3)
Last week: Howard beat 42-12
Next up: North Carolina Central Friday November 14th
Morgan caught the attention of the Bulldogs last weekend at the state meet and paid for it.
Next up for South Carolina State is a trip to Durham and North Carolina Central for a Game of the Year game.
5. Delaware State (7-3)
Last week: beat Morgan State 14-12
Next: Howard on Saturday November 15th
The Hornets wrapped up their first winning season in 13 years, with two big home games coming up to close out the season, starting with a Howard team looking to play spoiler.
6. North Carolina Central (7-3)
Last week: Defeated Norfolk State 31-28
Next up: VS. South Carolina State on Nov. 14
NCCU had to sweat out a late NSU rally, but now they have the game they want. If they can beat South Carolina State, a trip to the celebration bowl seems more likely than in previous weeks.
7. Gramling (7-3)
Last week: Defeated No. 1 Bethune-Cookman 31-23
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 15 at Alcorn State
The Tigers’ storybook win came with a walk-off victory fought with one half stroke This would likely result in multiple suspensions for themselves and Bethun-Cookman.
An Alcorn that has won four of its last five games against an in-state team can turn the good times into screamers.
8. Bethune-Cookman (5-5)
Last week: Lost to Grampling 31-23
Next up: Jackson State on Saturday, Nov. 15
The Wildcats have several players for this week’s game against a Jackson State team that not only lost the game, but battled and possibly finished the SWAC East job. Not an ideal situaiton for a team playing for a season that won a week ago.
9. Texas Southern (4-5)
Last week: 42-24 to Alabama State
Next up: Saturday 15 November
About being eliminated from the SWAC West Chase, the Tigers are just proud to play, so they should be able to pull through against a DownTrodden South Team…right?
10. Howard (4-6)
Last week: Lost to South Carolina State 32-12
Next: Delaware State Saturday, Nov. 15
It hasn’t been an easy road for the bison this season, and with Delaware State, the trip to Dover won’t be easy.
A loss at South Carolina State, however, ends their title hopes for the year, but they were able to put the Hornets in a bad spot with a lot of effort.
