Two HBCU football powers are ranked in the FCS Top 25 entering Week 5. And both have something to prove.
The big picture: South Carolina State remains one of the nation’s highest-ranked FCS teams, while Jackson State has crashed the rankings after a statement win over Southern.
The Bulldogs jumped from No. 14 to No. 12 in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. Jackson State entered at No. 23.
Alabama State, Prairie View A&M and Delaware State also received votes.
South Carolina State keeps climbing
South Carolina State has spent the season making a case that its early ranking wasn’t a fluke.
The Bulldogs opened with two shutouts against Division II opponents and then handled Florida A&M before facing their biggest test yet: a ranked Furman team coming off a win over Mercer.
South Carolina State won that one, too.
Chennis Berry’s team escaped Furman 20-17, then traveled to Daytona Beach and beat Bethune-Cookman 31-21 on Saturday.
Now the Bulldogs return home to face The Citadel.
Why it matters: South Carolina State is no longer just trying to get into the rankings. At No. 12, the Bulldogs are trying to stay there — and keep climbing.
Jackson State is officially back in the rankings
Jackson State’s rise has been just as interesting.
The Tigers opened the season with a narrow win over Tennessee State. Since then, they have taken care of business against Edward Waters and Tuskegee before delivering their biggest performance of the season.
Jackson State beat Southern 35-17 in the Boombox Classic on Saturday.
That win pushed T.C. Taylor’s team into the Top 25 at No. 23.
Now comes Alabama A&M.
The Bulldogs enter the matchup 4-1, giving Jackson State another opportunity to show that its ranking is more than the result of one big Saturday.
And there are more HBCUs lurking
The Top 25 isn’t the whole story.
Alabama State, Prairie View A&M and Delaware State are all receiving votes, meaning the door remains open for another HBCU program to enter the rankings.
That could make the next few weeks especially interesting as conference races begin to take shape.
