With 5 of the 7 teams inactive, week 8 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab was more static than in previous weeks, as every team stood pat in their position from last week’s polls.
7. Delaware State Hornets ( 4-3, 0-0)
The Hornets of Delaware State remain at no.7. In their most recent outing, October 11, Delaware State obliterated Southern Connecticut State 70-23. DSU churned out and mindboggling 598 rushing yards. A trio of Delaware State running backs topped 100 yards – James Jones (158), Marquis Gillis (130), and Kobe Boykin (100)- while three other Hornet ball carriers ran for at least 60 yards. Coming off their bye, Delaware State faces a touch challenge when they head to Durham, NC to face North Carolina Central. The Eagles had their way with the Hornets in their meeting last season, laying a 52-10 beating on DSU.
6. Texas Southern ( 4-3, 3-1)
Texas Southern stays at number 6 in this week’s polls. It was homecoming last week at Texas Southern and the Tigers took care of business, laying waste to Virginia University at Lynchburg, 61-10. The Texas Southern defense was stout, limiting the Dragons to a mere 87 yards of total offense, completely stifling the VUL run game, holding them to -13 yards on 25 attempts. The win was the fourth straight for Coach Dishman’s ball club, a feat not achieved since running off a quartet of wins in the 2014 campaign. Up next for Texas Southern are the Braves of Alcorn State University. The Braves doubled up the Tigers, 42-21 in their last meeting, November 9, 2024.
5. South Carolina State Bulldogs ( 4-3, 0-0)
The Bulldogs come in ar No.5 in Week 8’s polls, a position they held in the previous week’s rankings. In South Carolina State’s most recent outing, which took place October 11, the Bulldogs traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to take on former conference foe North Carolina A&T. SCSU ruined GHOE for NCA&T, besting the Aggies 22-16 in front of a crowd of 21,500. Coming off their bye week, South Carolina State is on the road once again, heading to Norfolk, Virginia to face the Spartans of Norfolk State University. In their last meeting, Npvemner 23, 2024, the Bulldogs handily cleaned up the Spartans 53-21.
4 . Prairie View A&M Panthers ( 5-2, 4-0)
The Panthers of Prairie View A&M come in fourth in this week’s rankings, as was also the case last week. Saturday the Panthers defeated Southern 24-3, to spoil homecoming down on The Bluff. Prairie View grounded the Jaguars’ passing game, limiting their air attack to a mere 81 yards and also forced three Southern turnovers. Still undefeated in the SWAC’s western division at 4-0, the Panthers have a brief respite from SWAC play this week they host Lincoln University (CA) for homecoming.
3. Alabama State Hornets ( 4-2, 2-1)
Alabama State checks in a No.3 in this week’s polls, retaining their position from the previous rankings. In their most recent outing the Hornets came up short against preminant conference favorite Jackson State in a 38-34 thriller that was easily the best game of the season. Quarterback Andrew Body turned in another stellar performance, completing 20 of 30 passes for 349 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Body nearly lead the Hornets to victory, but Jamarie Hostzclaw was stopped just one yard shy of the win as time expired.
After a bye this week, Alabama State takes on in state rival Alabama A&M in the 84th Magic City Classic. Alabama State has claimed victory in the last three iterations of the MCC.
2. North Carolina Central (5-2,0-0)
No changes for North Carolina Central, as they remain at the penultimate spot in the rankings. As was the case with every other MEAC team not named Howard, the Eagles were not in action last week. In the Eagles most recent outing N.C. Central hit the road heading to Tallahassee, Florida and laying 45-7 beatdown on former conference foe, Florida A&M. Winners of 4 in a row, North Carolina Central will play host to Delaware State.
1. Jackson State (5-1, 3-0)
For the 14th consecutive week, Jackson State finds itself in a familiar spot, occupying the pole position in the rankings. In their last outing, the Tigers defeated Alabama State 38-34 in an instant classic. Jacobian Morgan’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Nate Rembert with just 50 seconds left in the game, proved to be the decisive score. After a bye week the Tigers head to Las Vegas to take on Grambling in the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic.
Also receiving votes:
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats ( 3-4, 2-1) 148 votes
Alabama A&M Bulldogs ( 4-3, 1-2), 131 votes
Grambling State Tigers (4-3, 1-2), 113 votes
