Dr. Kenyatta Cavil contributed to this report
There are plenty of newcomers to this week’s Inside The HBCU Sports Lab, with 5 of the top 7 having been unranked the previous week. Two teams from the independent ranks join two SWAC schools and one from the MEAC as new poll additions.
7. Texas Southern University ( 1-1, 0-0)
Texas Southern enters the week ranked 7th. New head football coach Cris Dishman got his first career win in their convincing 27-9 win over Prairie View in the season-opening Labor Day Classic. Texas Southern was taken to the woodshed by Rice 69-7 in their most recent outing and they look to bounce back when take on Lamar this week.
6. Howard University (2-1, 0-0)
Howard defeated Morehouse 35-21 Saturday in the HBCU NYC Football Classic to get their second consecutive win and move to 2-1 on the season. The Bison currently boasts the most proficient rushing attack in the MEAC, currently averaging 186.3 yards per contest. Running back Jarrett Hunter is second in the conference, averaging 92.0 yards per game, only trailing his quarterback, Ja’Shawn Scroggins who averages 94.5 rushing yards per game. The Bison take on Hampton next week in Battle of the Real HU/ Truth & Service Classic.
5. Grambling State University (2-1, 0-0)
Grambling moves into the fifth position, coming off an overtime defeat to Texas A&M Commerce 35-28 to open a season 2-1 for the first time since 2017. Up next for new head coach Mickey Joseph’s club is a home non-conference tilt against Jackson State on September 21.
4. Tennessee State University (2-1, 0-0)
Saturday night Tennessee State defeated Arkansas Pine Bluff 41-28 in the 35th Southern Heritage Classic. This marks the second straight season Eddie George’s team has started as season 2-1. Both of the Tiger’s two wins on the young season have come against SWAC opponents, having defeated Mississippi Valley 41-21 in the season-opening John A. Merritt Classic. The Tigers kick off Big South-OVC play this week against Tennessee Tech.
3. Hampton Pirates (2-1, 0-0)
Hampton enters the poll at number 3, coming off a smothering 37-7 beatdown of Norfolk State in the Battle of the Bay that moves them to 2-1 on the season. The Pirate’s defense held the Spartans to just 99 yards of total offense on the afternoon and just 3 first downs through the first three-quarters of play. Hampton plays Howard in the Battle of Real HU next week.
2. Jackson State (2-1, 0-0)
The Tigers took care of Southern 33-15 in wire-to-wire fashion Saturday night, marking their fifth consecutive defeat of the Jaguars. The Tigers were defeated 30-14 by Louisiana Monroe in their season opener but bounced back with a 58-7 of SIAC opponent Lane College. Jackson State heads to Grambling, LA next week to take on Grambling.
1. Florida A&M (2-1, 0-0)
The Rattlers of Florida A&M were on a bye this week. In their last outing, FAMU was blown out 56-9 by Miami in a contest that, at times was more competitive than the score would indicate. FAMU has victories over Norfolk State in the season-opening MEAC/SWAC Challenge as well as former long-time MEAC foe South Carolina State. It doesn’t get much easier for new Rattlers head coach James Colzie III and his club as they hit the road to Troy, Alabama to face the Trojans of Troy University
