Week 4 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid Major Top 7 rankings was rife with change, as one new team entered the mix, while each of the remaining 6 teams occupies a different position than the previous week.
7. Winston-Salem State Rams (2-1, 1-0)
The Rams of Winston-Salem State join the top 7 at no. 7 in this week’s rankings. In their most recent outing, WSSU blasted conference foe Lincoln (PA) 51-14 in the CIAA opener. The 51 points the Rams scored in the contest were their most prodigious offensive output since laying a 51-21 beating on Fayetteville State on November 3, 2018. Winston-Salem State returns to action on November 20 at home against Virginia State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST.
6. Clark-Atlanta Panthers (2-1, 1-0)
Clark-Atlanta moves up one spot to number 6 in this week’s polls. The Panthers defeated the Wildcats of Fort Valley State 26-21 in front of a national ESPN 2 audience, in an exciting matchup that was not decided until the last possession of the contest. The Panthers continue their journey into SIAC play Saturday evening when they head to Columbia, South Carolina to take on Allen, with kickoff set for 6 pm EST.
5. Tuskegee Golden Tigers (2-1, 0-0)
The Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University come in at 5 in this week’s ranking, down a spot from the previous week. Tuskegee traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, to face Jackson State in the W. C. Gorden Classic, and it was a rough day at the office for the Golden Tigers. Jackson State had its way with Tuskegee, blanking them 30-0.
4. Albany State Golden Rams (2-1, 0-0)
Albany State dropped a spot to 4 in this week’s poll. In their most recent outing, the Golden Rams headed an hour and a half south to face Florida A&M. Although Albany State gave the Rattlers all they wanted, FAMU seized control of the contest, ultimately winning 33-25. Up next for Coach Quinn Gray’s team is a bye week before returning to action on September 27, against Allen.
3. Virginia Union Panthers (1-1, 0-0)
The Panthers of Virginia Union took a slight tumble down the rankings, falling from the top spot down to number 3. VUU faced Edward Waters in the inaugural Unity Classic, but was defeated 41-38 on Ryan Gagne’s 35-yard field goal as time expired. The Panthers will face Johnson C. Smith in a CIAA matchup that could have season-long implications.
2. Johnson C. Smith (3-0, 0-0)
Johnson C. Smith was the only team in Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Week 4 Mid Major Top 7 to remain in the same position from the prior week. JCSU survived a meeting with Elizabeth City State this past week, 21-17, to move to 3-0 on the young season. Up next for the Golden Bulls is a highly anticipated early-season showdown with the defending CIAA champion Virginia Union. Johnson C. Smith defeated VUU 21-16 in their last meeting, September 21, 2024.
1. Edward Waters Tigers (3-0, 0-0)
The Tigers of Edward Waters sit atop the week’s standings. EWU catapulted up the rankings from no. 5 to the zenith of the rankings this week. In their most recent outing, the Tigers took down the then No. 1 Panthers of Virginia Union 41-38 in the first-ever Unity Classic. Ryan Gagne’s 35-yard field goal as time expired sealed the game for Edward Waters. Saturday, EWU takes on Bethune-Cookman. The Tigers have never beaten the Wildcats, and over the course of their 6 meetings, which date back to 1925, have been outscored 224-23, including a 70-10 dismantling in their last meeting, September 4, 2010.
