Week 5 of the Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Top 7 Rankings saw a new team enter the mix, one team change position, while the remainder were carryovers from the previous week.
7. Delaware State Hornets (3-2, 0-0)
The Hornets hang on to 7th place in this week’s rankings. DSU scored 31 points in the first half , however was shutout in the second half , falling 35-31 to Sacred Heart. The loss snapped the Hornets’ three game losing streak. Delaware State returns to action Saturday, heading to West Long Branch, NJ to take on Monmouth. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 34-20 in their last meeting September 10, 2016.
6. Howard Bison (3-2, 0-0)
Howard remains in the 6th position, retaining its ranking from the previous week. Although Howard outpaced Richmond in first downs (22 to 10), rushing yards (213 to 117), passing yards (84 to 35), total offense (297 to 152) and time of possession (42:09 to 17:51) , a pair of inopportune 4th quarter turnovers enabled Richmond to transform a 12-0 deficit into a 13-12 win. The Bison enter a bye week before returning to action October 11 against Sacred Heart who defeated no.7 Delaware State on Saturday.
5.South Carolina State (2-3, 0-0)
South Carolina falls from 4 to 5 in this week’s rankings. In their most recent outing, the Bulldogs came up short against previously winless Charleston Southern, 31-24. As was the case with Howard, South Carolina State won the majority of the games statistical battles, including first downs, (25 to 18), rushing offense (255 to 147), total offense (449 to 345), third down conversions, (7/13 to 2/9) and time of possession (33:47 to 26:13). However South Carolina State was the author of its own football destruction, turning the ball over three times and committing 12 penalties. It’s homecoming at SCSU and the Bulldogs will play host to former conference foe, and now SIAC member, Savannah State.
4. Prairie View A&M Panthers (3-2, 2-0)
Prairie View A&M enters the this week’s rankings at No.4, after being unranked in the previous week’s polls. Saturday, behind 224 yards from their rushing game, Prairie View defeated Grambling 28-13 in the 100th iteration of the historic State Fair Classic. The Panthers’ defense forced a quartet of Grambling turnovers, which turned into 14 PVAMU points. Up next for Prairie View is a trip to Jack Sprinks-Casem Stadium in Alcorn, MS to face the Braves of Alcorn State. The Braves doubled up the Panthers, 26-13, in their last meeting on November 16, 2024.
3. North Carolina Central Eagles (4-2, 0-0)
The Eagles of North Carolina Central stand pat at no.3 in this week’s poll rankings. In their most recent outing, N.C. Central headed to Commerce Texas to take on East Texas A&M. The Eagles had a comfortable 47-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but 21 points from the Lions made the contest a lot closer and Central held on to claim a 50-42 victory. The Eagles are riding a three game winning streak heading into their bye week, after which they will; hit the road once again, heading to Tallahassee, FL to face former MEAC for in the Rattlers of Florida A&M. FAMU defeated NCCU 28-21 in their last meeting on October 5, 2019.
2.Alabama State Hornets (3-1, 1-0)
Photo by David Campbell/Alabama State University
Alabama State remains at No.2 in this week’s rankings. The Hornets travelled to Tallahassee, Florida, taking on Florida A&M. The Hornets finally got the proverbial Rattler of their back in an emphatic manner beating FAMU 42-14 for their third consecutive win of the season. The win was Alabama State’s first victory over Florida A&M since FAMU joined the SWAC. It’s homecoming down in Montgomery and the Hornets will face Bethune-Cookman, who themselves are riding a 2-game winning streak.
1 Jackson State Tigers (3-1, 1-0)
The Tigers of Jackson State remain in a familiar spot in the poll rankings. JSU has been perched atop Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Top 7 rankings for 11 consecutive weeks. In their most recent outing the Tigers went on the road and defeated Southern 38-13. Jackson State shut out the Jaguars in the second half, allowing a 17-13 game at halftime to turn into a relatively comfortable victory. Up next for the Tigers is a trip to Mobile, Alabama to take on Alabama A&M in the Gulf Coast Challenge. Jackson State has won the last 4 matchups between the two schools, including a high-scoring 45-38 affair in last season’s contest, played on October 5, 2024.
Dropping out : Alabama A&M (3-2, 0-1)
Receiving votes: Alabama A&M (3-2, 0-1) 137 points
Grambling State Tigers (3-2, 0-1) 130 points
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-3, 1-0) 119 points
