Dr. Kenyatta Cavil contributed to this report
Week 12 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports showed the least amount of movement of any week this season. Six of the seven teams occupy the same position as they did the previous week, with only one newcomer to the rankings.
7. Alabama State (5-5, 4-3)
The Hornets of Alabama State remain at the no.7 spot from last week’s rankings. In their most recent outing, the Hornets lost a hard-fought 16-10 matchup with no.1 Jackson State. The Alabama State defense held the SWAC’s top-scoring offense, which was averaging 35.7 points per contest to just 16 points. Up next for Alabama State is hosting Prairie View on Saturday. In a meeting last season, the Panthers came out on top, 21-14.
6. Alcorn State (6-5, 5-2)
Alcorn State joins the rankings after being unranked in the previous week’s polls. The Braves defeated Prairie View 26-13 this past Saturday for their sixth win of the season. Although the Braves were outgained in terms of total offense, 318-248, the Alcorn defense did not allow the Prairie View offense to get in the end zone, with the Panthers’ lone touchdown coming on an electric 75-yard punt return from Coby Cavil. The Braves host Jackson State this week in the “Soul Bowl.” Alcorn defeated Jackson State 28-24 in last year’s matchup.
5. Southern University (7-4, 6-1)
The Jaguars retain their no.5 ranking from the previous week. In Southern’s last outing, on Saturday, they defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31-9, securing the SWAC West and the right to compete for the SWAC title on December 7. “Saturday’s performance was the game I’ve been looking for from his team all season,” said Terrence Graves. “The kids are excited, and they should be. This is the time you get excited.” Up next for the Jags is a meeting with the Grambling Tigers in the preeminent of HBCU Classics, the 51st Bayou Classic. Last season in the golden iteration of the Classic, Southern defeated Grambling 27-22 in an exciting contest.
4. Tennessee State ( 8-3, 5-2)
As was the case in last week’s polls, the Tigers of Tennessee State occupy fourth in the rankings. In their most recent outing, the Tigers bested defending Big Souht-OVC champion Gardner-Webb 23-20. The win pushed TSU to win totals not seen since the 2013 season when then-coach Rod Reed led the Tigers to a 10-4 mark and a playoff berth. Up next for Coach Eddie George’s team, who is in a three-way tie for second in the Big South-OVC, is a season finale with conference leader Southeast Missouri. In their last meeting, November 5, 2022, SEMO curb stomped the Tigers, 42-0.
3. North Carolina Central (7-3, 3-1)
North Carolina Central stays at third in this week’s ranking. The Eagles are coming off a 26-3 win over Howard in front of a national audience on ESPNU. Running back J’Mari Taylor carried the ball 24 times for a season-high 204 yards and 3 touchdowns, which was also a season’s best. The outburst from the senior back pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark, the first Eagle to accomplish the feat since Greg Pruitt Jr in 2005 and just the sixth such season in the program’s history. The Eagles head to Dover, DE to face the Hornets of Delaware State in the season finale. NCCU took DSU to the woodshed, 55-14 in their meeting last season.
2. South Carolina State (8-2, 4-0)
The Bulldogs stand pat at second in the rankings from the prior week. Saturday South Carolina State went to Baltimore and laid a 54-7 beat down on Morgan State for their seventh consecutive win, which also clinched the MEAC and a trip to the Celebration Bowl. Up next for the newly minted MEAC champs is playing host to Norfolk State in the season finale. The two teams’ last meeting was a 44-17 donkey-kicking at the hands of the Bulldogs.
1. Jackson State (9-2, 7-0)
Jackson State remains in the pinnacle position in this week’s polls. In their most recent outing, the Tigers were able to grind out a 16-10 victory over no. 7 Alabama State. The win was the seventh straight win for Jackson State and also clinched the SWAC’s eastern division and punched its ticket to the SWAC Championship Game for the third time in the last four seasons. Saturday the Tigers head to Lorman, MS to take on Alcorn State in the “Soul Bowl.”
Dropped Out: Florida A&M Rattlers-(5-5, 3-3)
Receiving Votes:
Prairie View A&M Panthers-(5-6, 3-4)-139,
Morgan State Bears-(5-6, 2-2)-138,
Florida A&M Rattlers-(5-5, 3-3)-120
