HBCU Football saw some changes at the bottom, but the top teams stayed consistent.
Those results are reflected in the HBCU Sports’ Week 12 Ultimate Division I Football Poll, and here’s how it looks heading into another pivotal weekend.
1. Jackson State (8-2)
Last Week: Defeated Bethune-Cookman 28-13
Up Next: vs. Alcorn State Saturday Nov. 22
Jackson State got past a pesky Wildcats team to set up a simple “win and you’re in” scenario in next week’s Soul Bowl. The next man up mentality has served the Tigers well and they’ll need it against an Alcorn State team that has won five of their last six games.
2. Alabama State (8-2)
Last Week: Mississippi Valley State 41-3
Up Next: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saturday Nov. 22
As expected, the Hornets punished MVSU and will finish out their SWAC schedule next week at home against UAPB.
The Hornets have to hope Alcorn State has some rabbits in their hats to win the Soul Bowl, or else it’s another year of wondering what could have been.
3. Prairie View A&M (8-3)
Last Week: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 56-9
Up Next: vs. Mississippi Valley State Saturday Nov. 22
There was little suspense as the Panthers clinched the SWAC West title with a romp over the Golden Lions.
The key this coming weekend against Valley is to stay healthy for their conference title showdown against Jackson State.
4. South Carolina State (8-3)
Last Week: Defeated North Carolina Central 34-27
Up Next: at Delaware State Saturday Nov. 22
A classic MEAC football game ended with the Bulldogs maintaining their perfect conference record since Chennis Berry took over as head coach last season.
That 9-0 mark will be put to the test by one of the biggest surprises in not just HBCU Football, but College Football as a whole this coming Saturday.
5. Delaware State (8-3)
Last Week: Defeated Howard 26-13
Up Next: vs. South Carolina State Saturday Nov. 22
No one, with the exception of DeSean Jackson himself, thought the Hornets would be in a de facto MEAC championship game, but after beating Howard, that’s where they are.
South Carolina State will be everyone’s biggest test – the coaches, the players and the DSU community as a whole.
6. North Carolina Central (7-4)
Last Week: Lost to South Carolina State 34-27
Up Next: at Morgan State Saturday Nov. 22
After coming up short in one of the best games of the year, all that’s left for Central is to try to finish strong in Baltimore this weekend.
7. Grambling (7-4)
Last Week: Lost to Alcorn State 27-16
Up Next: Bayou Classic vs. Southern in New Orleans Saturday Nov. 22
The suspensions, and a surging Alcorn State team, stopped the Tigers’ winning streak.
They’ll now have a week to rest before preparing for their annual battle in the Big Easy with Southern.
8. Texas Southern (5-5)
Last Week: Defeated Southern 35-30
Up Next: vs. Alabama A&M Saturday Nov. 22
TSU needed to rally to beat the worst version of Southern anyone’s seen in recent memory, but they pulled it off.
The Tigers can finish with a winning record in Cris Dishman’s second season by beating a struggling Alabama A&M team next week.
9. Florida A&M (5-5)
Last Week: Defeated Alabama A&M 26-23
Up Next: Florida Classic vs. Bethune-Cookman in Orlando, Saturday Nov. 22
The Rattlers are back in the Top 10 following a close win at Alabama A&M.
The Florida Classic presents a prime opportunity to get back above .500 before closing out the season with a make-up game against Mississippi Valley State, so there’s a lot on the line for FAMU these next two weeks.
10. Bethune-Cookman (5-6)
Last Week: Lost to Jackson State 28-13
Up Next: Florida Classic vs. Florida A&M in Orlando, Saturday Nov. 22
A once promising season has gone astray for the Wildcats, but they must recover quick because the Florida Classic awaits.
A win over Florida A&M would be good enough for a break-even season and confidence that the program is still heading the right direction.
