Dr. Kenyatta Cavil contributed to this report
Week 8 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Major Division Poll was rife with movement. With the exception of the top spot, every position in the poll is occupied by a different team than from the previous week.
7.Florida A&M (3-3, 1-1)
After losing to Jackson State in their highly anticipated matchup, 35-21, FAMU tumbles down the standing from its previous no. 3 slot. Florida A&M, up 21-20, was snakebitten by two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter that led to 15 Jackson State points. Up next for the Rattlers is a home meeting with the Jaguars of Southern University.
6.Hampton University (4-3, 1-2)
Hampton makes its way on to the poll at no.6 after being unranked the previous week. In their most recent outing, the Pirates made the Greatest Homecoming on Earth a little less great with a 59-17 shellacking of North Carolina A&T. The win was their fourth victory over an HBCU on the season, having defeated Virginia Union, Norfolk State, and Howard. Up next for the Pirates is a home meeting against Elon University. In their matchup last season, Elon handily, and decisively dispatched Hampton, 51-14.
5.Southern University (4-3, 3-0)
As was the case with the no.6 Hampton Pirates, Southern enters the polls after being unranked the previous week. This past Saturday, the Jaguars were able to defeat Alcorn 24-14 to put a proper cap on Homecoming and maintain their unblemished record in SWAC play. Up next for the Jaguars is a trip to Bragg Memorial Stadium to take on the no.7 Rattlers of Florida A&M.
4.South Carolina State (4-2, 0-0)
South Carolina State moves up one position in the rankings from last week. In their most recent outing, the Bulldogs took on a foe very familiar to head Coach Chennis Berry from his time at Benedict in the form of the Wildcats of Fort Valley State. SCSU handily dispatched FVSU 30-3, holding the Wildcats scoreless for the first 55:17 of the game until Daniel Gibbs’ 39-yard field gave Fort Valley their only points of the contest. Up next for the Bulldogs is a home meeting with Delaware State on Saturday. In their last meeting, October 21, 2023, SCSU laid waste to DSU, 35-7.
3. Tennessee State (6-2, 3-1)
Despite not tasting defeat in their last outing, Tennessee State saw their place in the ranking fall from no. 2 last week to no.3 in this week’s poll rankings. In their last outing, TSU traveled to Washington DC and played spoiler, defeating Howard 24-14 on their Homecoming. The Tiger’s defense held the Bison to just 28 yards passing and intercepted Howard signal caller Ja’Shawn Scroggins twice. Tennessee State has a bye week before entering the home stretch of conference play on November 2 against UT Martin.
2.Jackson State (5-2, 3-0)
Jackson State moved up two positions in this week’s poll rankings. In their most recent outing the Tigers defeated then No. 3 Florida A&M 35-21 in a potential division-dictating match-up. At 3-0 in the SWAC, the Tigers are firmly in control of their destiny. The next task for Jackson State is a trip to Daytona to take on the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University. In the two schools’ last matchup, September 23, 2023, the Tigers defeated the Wildcats 22-16 in a matchup that was more competitive than expected.
1.North Carolina Central (5-2, 1-0)
North Carolina Central remains in a familiar position- atop the weekly poll rankings. The Eagles are coming off a bye week, which head coach Trei Oliver said provided much-needed rest for players and the coaches. It’s homecoming at NCCU and their opponent, Morgan State, will seek to put a damper on the festivities. In their last matchup, 13 points by the Eagles in the fourth quarter pushed them past the Bears 16-10
Dropped Out: Howard (3-4, 0-0), Alcorn State (4-4, 3-1)
Receiving Votes Alabama State -(3-3, 2-1)-141, Grambling State (4-3, 1-2)-138, Alcorn State (4-4, 3-1)-125
