HBCU Sports is bringing back our weekly HBCU football rankings and as we’re a third of the way through the season, the Division I component has a lot of interesting teams in interesting positions already. So without further delay, here’s the D-I HBCU Football Top 10 after Week 4.
1. North Carolina Central (4-2)
Last Week: Defeated East Texas A&M 50-42
Up Next: Bye week
The Eagles are not a perfect team, as losses to New Hampshire and Old Dominion suggest, but otherwise, they’ve looked like a juggernaut against equal competition. Offensively, they’re averaging nearly 35 points a game, and almost 54 points a game during their current three game win streak.
They’ll have this weekend off before a trip to Florida A&M and after that, another bye before opening MEAC play against Delaware State. This Central team could be built for a long run that ends in Atlanta.
2. Jackson State (3-1)
Last Week: Defeated Southern 38-13
Up Next: vs. Alabama A&M in the Gulf Coast Challenge, Sat. Oct. 4
The Tigers continued their mastery over Southern, scoring 31 unanswered to pick up another Boombox Classic victory. The JSU defense is allowing just 16 points per game while surrendering only 287 yards per contest. If Jacobian Morgan can have more days like he did against the Jaguars (21-31, 337 yards, two TDs), J-State will be ready for a return trip to the Celebration Bowl.
3. Alabama State (3-1)
Last Week: defeated Florida A&M 42-14
Up Next: vs. Bethune-Cookman Sat. Oct. 4
Alabama State has everything going for themselves right now. A healthy Andrew Body at quarterback leads an ASU offense averaging nearly 38 points per game while their defense is stingier (and sting-ier) than usual.
The Hornets only allowed 14 points in beating Florida A&M for the first time since the Rattlers rejoined the SWAC.
They cannot get caught up in a trap game this weekend against Bethune-Cookman, but if they should survive that, then there’s what could be the SWAC East championship game against Jackson State Oct. 11.
4. Prairie View A&M (3-2)
Last Week: Defeated Grambling in the State Fair Classic 28-13
Up Next: at Alcorn State Sat. Oct. 4
Tremaine Jackson came into the SWAC with heavy expectations for the Panthers and right now, they’re living up to his confident statements.
After beating Grambling, Prairie View is 2-0 in SWAC West play and with a visit to Alcorn State this weekend, they could open up a healthy lead in the division.
5. Delaware State (3-2)
Last Week: Lost to Sacred Heart 35-31
Up Next: at Monmouth Sat. Oct. 4
One of the pettiest ejections in recent memory likely cost the Hornets a 4-1 start, but that doesn’t diminish the fact DeSean Jackson is establishing a new program mentality. DSU has already tripled their 2023 and 2024 win totals this season with MEAC play still to come.
The key this weekend is to survive Monmouth, a CAA heavyweight, with no injuries or anymore suspect disqualifications before heading back to Dover for homecoming.
6. Howard (3-2)
Last Week: Lost to Richmond 13-12
Up Next: Bye Week
The Bison held a fourth quarter lead against FCS playoff mainstay Richmond but could not hold it, ending their modest two-game win streak.
Still, this Howard team looks much better than the team that finished the 2024 season losing five of their last six.
The bye week comes at an important time in their season as they’ll rest this week, then travel to Sacred Heart and try to get some revenge for their MEAC brethren.
7. Alabama A&M (3-2)
Last Week: Lost to Bethune-Cookman 41-34
Up Next: vs. Jackson State at the Gulf Coast Classic, Sat. Oct. 4
The Bulldogs were unable to completely dig themselves out of an early hole against BCU, now they’re in a hole as far as the SWAC East goes with HBCU national champ JSU coming up this weekend. An 0-2 start in division play means playing out the string so AAMU should be ready for a battle.
8. Grambling (3-2)
Last Week: Lost to Prairie View in the State Fair Classic 28-13
Up Next: Bye Week
The Tigers limp into their bye week after losing the State Fair Classic and will need to make some adjustments if they’re
9. South Carolina State (2-3)
Last Week: Lost to Charleston Southern 31-24
Up Next: vs. Savannah State Sat. Oct. 4
The Bulldogs had a hangover from the South Florida game, and it cost them against previously winless Charleston Southern, so getting back on track against Savannah State will be critical.
They’re still the MEAC champions until someone beats them, so head coach Chennis Berry and his staff will likely be drilling his team on the details as conference play begins in a couple of weeks.
10. Bethune-Cookman (2-3)
Last Week: Defeated Alabama A&M 41-34
Up Next: at Alabama State Sat. Oct. 4
The Wildcats have strung together two wins in a row for the first time in nearly two years, and averaging 39 points per contest in their last three games is proof they can move the ball.
They’ll need to move it and somehow stop Alabama State to keep their surprising streak going, and if they can do that, everyone else in the SWAC East should beware of BCU.
