The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and Winston-Salem State Rams are the two best HBCU football teams in the country, according to the fans that voted in the HBCU Sports FCS and Division II fan polls.
The Wildcats(5-1) regained the top spot with 393 points and 28 first-place votes, followed by Alcorn State (5-2), who dropped to the No. 2 spot after a 28-21 loss to Grambling (4-3) – who moved up to the No. 3 spot with 10 first-place votes. North Carolina A&T (5-2) and South Carolina State (4-3) complete the top five.
Tennessee State (4-3) remains in the No. 6 spot followed by Southern (4-3), Alabama State (4-3) Texas Southern (5-1) and North Carolina Central (3-3) – making its first appearance in the top 10 after a 48-35 win over South Carolina State.
The Rams (5-1) remain No.1 in the Division II poll with seven first-place votes, followed by Virginia Union (5-1), Tuskegee (4-1), Virginia State (4-2), Stillman (4-2), Albany State (3-3), Fort Valley State (4-2), Livingstone (4-2), Miles (3-3) and Morehouse (4-2).
HBCU Sports FCS Fan Poll
Rank | School | Record | Points | Previous |
1 | Bethune-Cookman (28) | 5-1 | 393 | 2 |
2 | Alcorn State (4) | 5-2 | 332 | 1 |
3 | Grambling (10) | 4-3 | 331 | 4 |
4 | North Carolina A&T (1) | 5-2 | 230 | 7 |
5 | South Carolina State | 4-3 | 198 | 3 |
6 | Tennessee State | 4-3 | 158 | 6 |
7 | Southern (1) | 4-3 | 142 | 9 |
8 | Alabama State (1) | 4-3 | 136 | 3 |
9 | Texas Southern | 5-1 | 135 | 8 |
10 | North Carolina Central | 3-3 | 79 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Prairie View A&M 62, Morgan State 43, Jackson State 30, Hampton 27, Alabama A&M 26 |
HBCU Sports Division II Fan Poll
Rank | School | Record | Points | Previous |
1 | Winston-Salem State (7) | 5-1 | 115 | 1 |
2 | Virginia Union (2) | 5-1 | 97 | 6 |
3 | Tuskegee | 4-1 | 89 | 2 |
4 | Virginia State (3) | 4-2 | 72 | 3 |
5 | Stillman | 4-2 | 57 | 10 |
6 | Albany State | 3-3 | 53 | 7 |
7 | Fort Valley State | 4-2 | 52 | 8 |
8 | Livingstone | 4-2 | 44 | 5 |
9 | Miles | 3-3 | 27 | NR |
10 | Morehouse | 4-2 | 17 | 4 |
Others receiving votes: Elizabeth City State 11, Kentucky State 9, Bowie State 6, Clark Atlanta 4, Central State 2 |