Week 4 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab saw little movement, with six of the seven teams retaining their positions from the previous week.
7. Delaware State Hornets (2-1, 0-0)
Coach DeSean Jackson and Delaware State have been among the most intriguing stories in HBCU football. DSU defeated Bowie State 38-14 in their Saturday outing. The win lifted the Hornets to 2-1 in the young season, which equals their total wins from the last two seasons combined. This week Delaware State faces Saint Francis, who defeated the Hornets 28-17 in their meeting last season. A win would mark the first time the Hornets have beaten the Red Flash, who have won the previous three matchups.
6. Howard Bison (2-1, 0-0)
The Bison of Howard University sit in the sixth position in this week’s poll, just as they did a week ago. Saturday the Bison took care of Morehouse 38-10 in the HBCU NYC Classic. The victory marked their sixth consecutive win over the Maroon Tigers dating back to September 1, 2012. Howard faces Hampton Saturday in the P&G Truth and Service Classic, or as it is colloquially known, “The Battle of the real HU.” The Pirates have defeated the Bison in the last 8 meetings, with their last win being a 30-29 nail-biter on November 22, 2014.
5. Alabama A&M Bulldogs (2-1, 0-0)
The Bulldogs remain at no.5 in this week’s standings. Saturday, Alabama A&M defeated Tennessee State 23-21 in the opening game of the Legacy Series, a four-year agreement between the schools that features alternating home games. After surrendering 21 points and 182 yards in the second quarter, the Bulldog defense stiffened, surrendering no more points and just 92 yards over the ensuing quarters. Saturday Alabama A&M takes on Lane College of the SIAC. The Bulldogs blasted the Dragons 51-13 in their last meeting on September 9, 2023.
4. North Carolina Central Eagles (2-2, 0-0)
North Carolina Central stands pat at fourth in this week’s poll. The Eagles pounded Fayetteville State 49-13 on Saturday to pull their record even at 2-2. This week N.C. Central takes on rival North Carolina A&T in the Aggie-Eagle Classic. In last year’s iteration of the matchup, NCCU took A&T to the woodshed to the tune of a 66-24 beating. North Carolina Central has won the last three mat games with the Aggies.
3. Alabama State Hornets (2-1, 0-0)
The Hornets remain at no.3 in this week’s rankings. Saturday in their home opener, the Hornets sent their fans home happy via a 37-9 trouncing of Miles College. Alabama State has a bye but when they return to action the Hotnets head to Tallahassee, Florida to take on the Rattlers of Florida A&M. FAMU defeated ASU 28-13 in their meeting last season.
2 South Carolina State (2-1, 0-0)
No change for South Carolina State, as they stay in the penultimate position in Week 4” ‘s rankings. Saturday the Bulldogs beat former MEAC foe Bethune-Cookman 55-41. SCSU senior quarterback had his best statistical output of the season, completing 21 of 35 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown, while adding 31 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 carries. Up next for Coach Chennis Berry’s team is a meeting with the University of South Florida. The last time the two schools tangled, September 14, 201i9 the Bulls cleaned up the Bulldogs 55-16.
1. Jackson State University (2-1, 0-0)
Jackson State remains in the familiar position of being perched atop the Inside The HBCU Sports Lab Top 7 rankings. The Tigers faced Tuskegee in the W. C. Borden Classic and JSU pitched a shutout, blanking the Golden Tigers 30-0. It was Jackson State’s first shutout since blasting Southern 35-0 on October 29, 2022. After their bye week, Jackson State embarks on SWAC play in a meeting with the Southern Jaguars on September 27.
