As the season progresses, HBCU football at the Division I level will continue to produce storylines and results worthy of recognition, discussion, and critique.
That includes this week’s HBCU Sports Ultimate D-I poll, in which the top stayed the same, the middle experienced some movement, and one school made its way back into the top 10.
1. North Carolina Central (6-2)
Another year, another tough match-up against Morgan State, but the Eagles survived 16-7 to run out a 2-0 start in MEAC play.
That hot start gets put to the test with a Halloween night visit from South Carolina State in a game that could go a long way in determining who gets to Atlanta.
2. Jackson State (6-2)
A slow start couldn’t keep the Tigers from their fourth straight win, a 37-17 decision over Bethune-Cookman.
JSU hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff this coming Saturday in a non-divisional matchup that will give them another test against a much-improved Golden Lions squad.
3. Tennessee State (6-2)
Hopefully, the Tigers watched UT-Martin dismantle Eastern Illinois because that’s who invades Nissan Stadium this weekend. A pivotal game for Big Blue’s Big South-OVC championship and FCS playoffs aspirations.
Tennessee State is coming off a bye week, so that should help them.
4. Florida A&M (4-3)
After nearly two months without a home game, Florida A&M was happy to be back at Bragg, much to Southern’s dismay.
The Rattlers will get to enjoy a week on campus again as they prepare for a visit from surprising Texas Southern, upset winners over Grambling.
5. South Carolina State (5-2)
The Bulldogs once again built a big lead (and held on to it) in defeating Delaware State, and now the first big game of the Chennis Berry era awaits.
A trip to Durham during a short week to face MEAC favorite North Carolina Central will be a solid proving ground for a much-improved football team.
6. Alabama State (4-3)
The Hornets raced out to a commanding lead in the Magic City Classic, then had to sweat out an intense fourth quarter to stay in the thick of the SWAC East race.
They’ll travel to Lorman, Mississippi, this weekend to face a refreshed Alcorn State team coming off a bye week.
7. Hampton (5-3)
The high-powered Pirate attack had an easy time piling up points against Elon in improving to 2-2 in Coastal Athletic Association play.
They step up in weight class this weekend with a visit from perennial FCS contender Villanova.
8. Southern (4-4)
The Jaguars’ quarterback situation has cost them dearly, and a loss at Florida A&M this weekend will take some of the shine off their homecoming win against Alcorn State the previous week.
They’ll try to get back in the win column against an Alabama A&M team that has nearly overcome multiple-score deficits twice already this season.
9. Alcorn State (4-4)
The Braves were off last weekend and return to action with a visit from Alabama State.
Alcorn’s offense will need to find a way to score points, or else it could fall below .500 and be further back in the SWAC championship race.
10. Grambling (4-4)
Grambling’s valleys have been as devastating as their peaks have been good, and Saturday’s loss at Texas Southern was a valley that likely has eliminated them from SWAC West contention.
The Tigers will try to salvage what’s left of their season this Saturday by traveling to Daytona and battling Bethune-Cookman.
