Week 8 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid Major saw its fair share of movement, with 4 teams occupying a new position and a new team entering the rankings.
7. Tuskegee University ( 5-3, 5-1)
After stumbling out of the gates, 0-3, the Golden Tigers have quietly won 5 in a row, putting themselves back in the mix for the SIAC crown. In their last outing, Tuskegee defeated Central State 30-14. The victory lifted the Golden Tigers into a three-way tie at 5-1 in conference play with Albany State and Fort Valley for that all-important second-place spot in the now division-less SIAC. Up next for the Golden Tigers is a meeting win the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University. Tuskegee defeated CAU in their matchup last season 14-3.
6. Clark Atlanta ( 5-2-1, 4-2)
The Panthers of Clark Atlanta University moved up one spot in the rankings from the previous week, despite being on a bye week. In CAU’s most recent outing, before their week off the Panthers had their homecoming spoiled via a 49-28 defeat at the hands of Miles College. Saturday Clark faces no.7 Tuskegee in a pivotal SIAC matchup that should they come out on the short end of the stick could usher them right off the SIAC title picture.
5. Langston University ( 5-2, 4-1)
After being outscored 122-15 in the first two games of the season, Langston Langston has bounced back winning five consecutive games. The Lions move up one place in the rankings to no.5. In their most recent outing the Lions romped Arkansas Baptist 42-0. The Langston defense held the Buffaloes to just 104 yards of total offense, including just 3 yards passing. The Lion’s defense had as many interceptions, 2, as Arkansas Baptist completed passes. Langston quarterback Torrance Bardel completed 13-of-his 19 passes for 271 yards, 5 touchdowns, and an interception. The Lions will look to extend their win streak to six when they face the Spirit of Ottawa University Arizona. In their last matchup on October 28, 2023, the Spirit handily defeated the Lions 68-23.
4. Winston Salem State (6-3, 4-2)
The Rams take a step back to the no.4 spot in this week’s poll rankings. In their most recent outing, WSSU came up short against Johnson C. Smith 24-15. The WSSU offense struggled, producing just 116 yards of offense and just 6 first downs on the afternoon. Trevon Hester ran for just 16 yards on 12 carries. With their two-game win streak snapped Winston-Salem State will look to get back on the winning side of things when they host Fayetteville State on Saturday. The Broncos defeated the Rams in their matchup last season, 40-34.
3. Miles Golden Bears (6-2, 5-0)
Miles moves up a spot in the rankings after sitting at number 4 the previous week. The Golden Bears defeated Benedict 26-14 in their most recent outing this past Saturday. Miles quarterback Kamren Ivory completed 17 of his 25 passes for 243 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while running for 62 yards on just 3 attempts. The Golden Bears’ defense held Benedict to 210 yards of offense and sacked Tiger signal callers 5 times in the afternoon. Now winners of six consecutive conference games, their longest such streak since 2012, the Golden Beards will seek to continue to stack SIAC victories when they take on the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse.
2. Virginia Union (6-2, 5-0)
Virginia Union remained at number 2 in this week’s rankings. The Panthers are coming off a 56-28 thumping of Bowie State in their last outing. Jada Byers put up video game numbers in the contest, running for 324 yards and 6 touchdowns to become VUU’s all-time leading rusher with 5,311 career yards, breaking the previous record of 5,008 previously held by Andre Braxton ( 1997-2000). The six touchdowns broke a nearly century-old record of the most rushing touchdown in a single game, which was set initially by R.S. Moton against Johnson C. Smith in 1926, J.W. Cotton versus St. Paul’s in 1927, and DIck Armstead against Brick Junior College in 1931. Byers’ 324 yards broke his school record of 319 which he set against Valdosta State in 2022. VUU takes on Bluefield State on Saturday; in their encounter last year, Union stomped Bluefield State 57-12.
1. Johnson C. Smith (8-0, 5-0)
Johnson C. Smith remains atop the poll ranking for the eighth consecutive week. The Golden Bulls continue to stack wins, the latest coming in their 24-15 of then no.3 Winston Salem State. The Golden Bulls’ defense held the Rams to just 155 yards of offense, including just 39 yards on the ground. JSCU quarterback Darius Ocean completed 23-of-38 passes for 262 yards 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Kamarro Edmunds ran for 102 yards and a touchdown on only 11 carries. Winners of eight straight games, Johnson C. Smith will look to keep their unblemished record when they take on Fayetteville State on Saturday. The Broncos defeated the Golden Bulls last season 14-7.
Dropped out: West Virginia State ( 5-3, 4-2) Livingstone ( 5-3, 3-2)
Receiving Votes: Virginia State ( 5-3, 5-1) -114 Florida Memorial ( 4-2, 3-1) -112 Fort Valley State ( 5-3, 5-1) -111
