Arlington, Texas— Special teams play doomed Alabama State in its 20-19 loss to Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic. The Bulldogs blocked the game-tying extra point and then ran out the clock. Alabama A&M now controls the tie-breaker for the SWAC East bid for the SWAC Championship.
Jackson State returns to the top spot with its 44-14 blitz of Prairie View. The Tigers ran up 722 yards in total offense would have rung up more points without turnovers in the red zone. Prairie View now sits precariously atop the SWAC West. If Prairie View and Arkansas-Pine Bluff finish in a tie, the Golden Lions would receive the SWAC
Jackson State (7-1), Alabama State (6-2), Winston-Salem State (9-0), Alabama A&M (6-2), and Bethune-Cookman (5-3) hold the Top 5 USN spots for week nine. Albany State (6-2), Norfolk State (7-2), Morehouse (7-2), FAMU (5-3) and Hampton round out the next five spots in the USN Poll.
“I was asked last week by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger what I thought were Jackson State’s chances to win the national title,” said John Posey, CEO of Urban Sports News. “I said if Alabama State falls and the Tigers win out, Jackson State would win our national championship without question. They still have an improving Grambling team and a tough Alabama A&M team to play though. As much as we like Winston-Salem State, their schedule is suspect. They don’t have a signature win against an FCS school.”
Must-see games to watch this week include: 1) Grambling vs. Jackson State 2) Tuskegee vs. Miles; 3) Howard vs. Hampton; 4) Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Alabama State; 5) and, Morehouse vs. Kentucky State.
“The Alabama State loss throws the SWAC East wide open. Alabama A&M is now in the driver’s seat. The Hornets must win out and hope either Jackson State or Prairie View can best the Bulldogs,” explained Posey. “Morgan State and Norfolk State lead the MEAC. If Norfolk wins out against Savannah State and Morgan, the Spartans will win the crown and a playoff berth. Morgan State ends the season with a murder’s row of Bethune, Norfolk and Hampton. South Carolina State, Bethune, FAMU and Hampton must win out and hope Morgan & Norfolk lose to move into a tie for the crown.”
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Jackson State Tigers | 7-1 |
| 2. | Alabama State Hornets | 6-2 |
| 3. | Winston-Salem State Rams | 9-0 |
| 4. | Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 6-2 |
| 5. | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | 5-3 |
| 6. | Albany State Golden Rams | 7-2 |
| 7. | Norfolk State Spartans | 6-2 |
| 8. | Morehouse Maroon Tigers | 7-2 |
| 9. | FAMU | 5-3 |
| 10. | Hampton Pirates | 5-3 |
Dropped Out of Top 10: None. Moving Up: Bethune-Cookman, Elizabeth City, Langston, Morgan State, South Carolina State. Trending Down: North Carolina A&T.
Others Receiving Consideration: Elizabeth City, Langston, Miles, Morgan State, South Carolina State.
Elizabeth City State University 8-2 only loses were to #1 ranked Delta State 14-21 in OT on the road and #2 ranked Winston-Salem State 17-22 are you serious and not in the top 10, who ranks these teams? Have they even seen these teams play?