Dr.Kenyatta Cavil contributed to this report
Week 6 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid-Major Division Football Poll Rankings saw no changes at the top of the rankings, with positions 1-4 being holdovers from the previous week. The movement happened at the bottom of the rankings, with 2 teams changing positions and a new team entering the mix.
7. Miles College (4-2, 4-0)
The Miles College Golden Bears enter the rankings after being unranked the previous week. In their last outing, the Golden Bears defeated Albany State 32-21 in a conference matchup that has elevated Miles to the top spot in the SIAC with the win. Now winners of 4 straight games, the Golden Bears head to Atlanta, GA this week to face the Panthers of Clark-Atlanta University. In their most recent meeting, September 23, 2023, Miles cruised to a 55-14 victory.
6. Livingstone (5-2, 3-1)
The Blue Bears remain at no.6 in this week’s rankings. At 5-2 overall and 3-1 within the CIAA, Livingstone, along with undefeated Johnson C. Smith, have been the surprise stories of the conference thus far this season. In their most recent outing, the Blue Bears were able to defeat Fayetteville State 24-19, to extend their winning streak to three. Livingstone will face Winston-Salem State on Saturday in a meeting of teams with identical 5-2 overall and 3-1 conference marks. Last season, the Blue Bears squeaked by the Rams, 23-21.
5. Clark Atlanta (5-1, 4-1)
After careening down the rankings from no.2 to no.7 last week, Clark Atlanta is working its way back up the polls, picking up two spots this week. In their most recent outing, CAU defeated Central State 25-20, bouncing back from the previous week’s defeat at the hands of Savannah State. Clark-Atlanta quarterback David Wright III had an efficient performance, completing 21-of-27 passes for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns and an interception. It’s homecoming at CAU and no.7 will be looking to spoil the festivities.
4. Winston-Salem State (5-2, 3-1)
Winston-Salem State remains at no.4 in this week’s poll. In their last outing, the Rams convincingly defeated Shaw 34-14. Winston Salem State racked up 513 yards of offense to Shaw’s 336 and recorded 27 first downs, while Shaw was limited to 16. WSSU quarterback Dailyn Lee completed 22-of-32 passes for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns; Lee also ran the ball 5 times for 24 yards and 2 additional touchdowns. Running back Trevon Hester recorded 181 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The Rams face No. 6 Livingstone on Saturday.
3. Virginia Union (4-2, 3-0)
Virginia Union maintains the number 3 ranking in the latest poll. Dr. Alvin Parker’s team is coming off pitching a 35-0 shutout against Elizabeth City State. A 7-0 game at halftime was broken open by a 21-point explosion. Jada Byers continued to do Jada Byers things, running for 188 and 2 touchdowns on 23 carries. Saturday VUU will face Lincoln (PA); their last meeting was a 57-0 decimation at the hands of Virginia Union.
2. West Virginia State (5-1, 4-0)
The Yellow Jackets held on penultimate position in the poll this week. In their last outing, Concord proved to be no match as the Yellow Jackets steamrolled them 44-14. The win extends WVSU’s win streak to four and they retain their unblemished mark. This Saturday WVSU will meet Wheeling, who defeated the Yellow Jackets 29-22 last season.
1.Johnson C. Smith (6-0, 3-0)
Johnson C. Smith remains in the no.1 spot in the poll, marking their sixth consecutive week the Golden Bulls have been in the pole position. In their most recent outing, JCSU defeated Virginia State 21-17 in a win that put the CIAA on notice that the Golden Bulls are not a fluke. Up next for JCSU is a meeting with Shaw, who beat Smith 21-10 last year.
Dropped Out: Shaw (3-3, 2-2) 117
Received votes : Fort Valley State (4-2, 3-1) 118 Shaw (3-3, 2-2) 117 Virginia State (3-3, 2-1) 103
