HBCU football has seen some changes underneath, but the top teams have remained consistent.
Those results are reflected in the HBCU Sports Week 12 Final Division I football poll, and here’s how another game weekend looks.
1. Jackson State (8-2)
Last week: beat Bethune-Cookman 28-13
Next: Vs Alcorn State Saturday November 22nd
Jackson State became a pesky Wildcats team to set up a simple “win and win” scenario in next week’s spirit bowl. The next-man-up mentality has served the Tigers well, and they will need it against an Alcorn state team that has won five of its last six games.
2. Alabama State (8-2)
Last week: Mississippi Valley State 41-3
Next: VS. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saturday, November 22
As expected, the Hornets punished MVSu and will finish their SWAC schedule next week at home against UAPB.
You better hope the Hornets have some rabbits in their hats to win the Alcorn State spirit bowl, or another year of wondering what could have been.
3. Prairie A&M (8-3)
Last week: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 56-9
Next up: VS. Mississippi Valley State Saturday November 22nd
There was little doubt as the Panthers clinched the Swac West title with a romp over the Golden Lions.
This weekend against Valley is about staying healthy for the conference title this weekend against Jackson State.
4. South Carolina State (8-3)
Last week: Lost 34-27 at North Carolina Central
Next up: Delaware State Saturday November 22nd
A classic Meac football game ended with the Bulldogs maintaining a perfect conference record from today Chennis berries He was taken over as head coach last season.
That 9-0 mark is one of the biggest upsets in HBCU football alone, but this Saturday will be put to the test by one in college football.
5. Delaware State (8-3)
Last week: Howard lost 26-13
Next up: VS. South Carolina State Saturday November 22nd
No one, except Philanthropist Jackson himself, thought the Hornets would be in a de facto championship game, but after beating Howard, they are where they are.
South Carolina State will be everyone’s biggest test — coaches, players and the DSU community.
6. North Carolina Central (7-4)
Last week: Lost 34-27 at South Carolina State
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 22 at Morgan State
After a short stint in one of the best games of the year, all that’s left for Central is to try to finish strong this weekend in Baltimore.
7. Gramling (7-4)
Last week: Lost to Alcorn State 27-16
Next up: Bayou Classic vs New Orleans South on Saturday November 22nd
Suspensions and an Alcorn State team halted the Tigers’ winning streak.
They will now have a week off to rest before preparing for their annual showdown with the South in a big way.
8. Texas Southern (5-5)
Last week: Lost 35-30
After that: VS. ALABAMA A&M on Saturday, Nov. 22
TSU needed to rally to beat the worst version of the South anyone has seen in recent memory, but they pulled it off.
The Tigers can clinch a winning record in Crishy Dishman’s second season by defeating a struggling A and M team next week.
9. Florida A&M (5-5)
Last week: ALABAMA beat A&M 26-23
Next: Florida Classic vs. Bethune-Cookman, Orlando, Saturday, Nov. 22
The top 10 returns after a close win at Rattler A&M.
The Florida Classic offers a prime opportunity to climb above .500 before closing out the season with a makeup game against Mississippi Valley State, so there’s a lot on the line for Famu over the next two weeks.
10. Bethune-Cookman (5-6)
Last week: Lost 28-13 to Jackson State
Next up: Florida Classic vs Florida A&M – Saturday 22nd Saturday in Orlando
A once-promising season was lost for the Wildcats, but they should recover quickly as the Florida Classic awaits.
A win over Florida A&M would be good enough for the break as well, and good enough for confidence that the program is still headed in the right direction.
