7.Grambling State Tigers (7-4, 4-3)
The Tigers of Grambling State University remain at 7 in this week’s rankings. In their most recent outing, the Tigers were defeated by Alcorn State 27-16. Aided greatly by the Alcorn defense, the Grambling offense was never able to find its footing, held to just 142 yards through the air and just 99 on the ground. The loss snapped Grambling’s 4-game win streak. Up next for the Tigers is Southern University in the 52nd Bayou Classic. The Jaguars defeated the Tigers 24-14 in last year’s matchup. Southern holds a 27-24 edge in the series.
6.North Carolina Central Eagles (7-4, 2-2)
Just as was the case with No.7 Grambling, Jorth Carolina Central retains its spot in the weekly rankings, despite suffering a defeat. In the case of the Eagles, it was a heartbreaking 34-27 loss to South Carolina State that not only knocked them out of the MEAC title picture but likely also postseason considerations. NCCU fell behind 17-3 early but battled back to take the lead at 20-17 and 27-20 before SCSU would score twice in the fourth quarter, including with just 1:51 left in regulation to claim victory. Saturday Central will conclude their season with a trip to Baltimore, MD to take on Morgan State; the Eagles defeated the Bears 16-7 in their meeting last season.
5.Delaware State (8-3, 4-0)
Just as was the case a week ago, Delaware State is 5th in this week’s rankings. The Hornets defeated Howard 26-13 in their most recent outing. The Hornets ran for 205 yards, with Marquis Gillis leading the way with 92 yards on 16 carries. Delaware State’s run defense was stout, holding the Bison to just 43 yards on the afternoon. Saturday DSU takes on South Carolina State in what is the de facto MEAC Championship game, with a berth in the Celebration Bowl on the line. Last season SCSU gave DSU the business to the tune of a 69-35 thrashing.
4.Prairie View A&M Panthers (8-3, 6-1)
The Panthers of Prairie View A&M stay at No.4 in the latest rankings. Coach Tremaine Jackson’s team emphatically clinched the SWAC West crown with a 59-6 beatdown of Arkansas Pine Bluff. Prairie View racked up 644 yards of offense, while limiting UAPB to just 253 yards, including just 80 rushing yards. Already secured their spot in the SWAC Championship Game, the Panthers’ next matchup is meeting with Mississippi Valley State on Senior Night. Last season Prairie View snuck by the Delta Devils 17-16.
3.Jackson State Tigers (8-2, 6-1)
The Tigers were the only team in the top 7 to change positions from the previous week, falling from 2, despite notching a victory. Saturday the Tigers defeated Bethune-Cookman 28-13. JSU running backs, Ahmad Miller 118 yards on 22 carries, while Donerio Davenport added 106 yards and a touchdown on just 11 rushes, spearheading a Jackson State run game that racked up 360 yards on the day. Jared Lockhart connected with six different receivers, completed 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Saturday the Tigers host Alcorn State for Senior Day; kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 pm CST.
2.South Carolina State Bulldogs (8-3, 4-0)
The Bulldogs move up from their No.3 position a week prior. In their most recent outing, South Carolina State defeated No. 6 North Carolina Central 34-27 in an instant classic. SCSU quarterback William Atkins IV completed 24 of 36 passes for 314 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. Running back Josh Shaw ran for 83 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. His 30-yard touchdown scamper late in the fourth quarter was the go-ahead score that sealed the game.
Saturday South Carolina State heads to Dover, DE to meet Delaware State in a matchup that will determine who represents the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl.
1.Alabama State Hornets (8-2, 6-1)
The Hornets of Alabama State remain perched atop Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Major Division Top 7 for the fourth consecutive week. Against Mississippi Valley State in the Port City Classic in their most recent outing, a 28-point third-quarter explosion transformed a 13-0 game to a 35-0 blowout on the way to a 41-3 donkey kicking of the Delta Devils. The victory gave the Hornets their eighth win of the season, a feat not achieved since 2018.
Saturday Alabama State hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff. UAPB defeated the Hornets 19-14 in their meeting last season.
Dropped Out: No One
Receiving Votes: Florida A&M Rattlers (5-5, 4-2) 140 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (5-6, 4-3) 137 Alcorn State Braves (5-6, 4-3) 118
