We’re literally hours away from the start of the season. Yes, you’ve guest it, HBCU marching band season. (What? Did you think we were talking football season?)

HBCU Sports is all about sports. And on HBCU campuses marching band is a sport with their members considered to be athletes.

As is the case every year around this time, we’ve seen countless preseason football polls published ranking teams, positions, predicted order of finish and so forth. The polls ultimately do not matter when the games are played, but they sure do give us plenty to pontificate.

So let’s show the bands some love.

HBCU Sports presents its 3rd annual Preseason Top 15 HBCU Band Poll for 2017.

1. Jackson State
2. Southern
3. Tennessee State
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Alabama A&M
6. Florida A&M
7. Miles College
8. North Carolina A&T
9. Prairie View A&M
10. Norfolk State
11. Alcorn State
12. Texas Southern
13. Grambling
14. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
15. Talladega College