It was a very active week in week 5 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid Major Top 7 poll rankings , with 4 of the 7 teams changing positions from the previous week, as well as a new team entering the fray.
7.Fayetteville State Broncos ( 4-3, 4-1)
Fayetteville State enters this week’s polls after being outside the top 7 the previous week. The Broncos defeated Livingstone 38-14 last week for their fourth consecutive win and remain undefeated in the CIAA. Fayetteville State is on bye this week before returning to action October 25 against the Bears of Shaw University. FSU seeks to return the favor , as Shaw defeated them 38-35 in their last encounter, October 26, 2024.
6.Edward Waters ( 4-2, 3-1)
The Tigers of Edward Waters Univerity took a tumble down the standings, falling from their previously held no.2 spot last week. In their most recent outing the Tigers were soundly beaten 42-14 at the hands of Kentucky State, emphatically handing Edward Waters its first defeat in SIAC play on the season. The Tigers return to action Saturday, when they face Benedict, whom defeated 31-28 in their meeting last season.
5.Kentucky State Thorobreds ( 5-2, 5-1)
Kentucky State comes in at No.5 in this week’s rankings, moving up one spot from the previous week. The Thorobreds are coming off a 42-14 thrashing of then No.2 Edward Waters on Saturday to snatch the Tigers from the undefeated ranks within in the SIAC. KSU racked up 509 yards of total offense in the lopsided win, with freshman running back Chad Elzy Jr running for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns.
4.Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls ( 5-1, 2-1)
The Golden Bulls maintain their No.4 ranking from last week’s rankings. In their most recent outing, on October 4, the Golden Bulls defeated Virginia State 31-20. Fort Valley transfer Kelvin Durham completed 17 of his 29 passes for 251 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception. Coming off their bye week, Johnson C. Smith will face Shaw on Saturday ; the Golden Bulls topped the Bears 21-14 in the last meeting, which took place October 19, 2024.
3. Virgina Union Panthers ( 5-1, 3-0)
Winners of four straight, the Panthers of Virginia Union hold on to the No.3 position in this week’s polls. In their most recent outing, Union claimed a 37-18 win over Elizabeth City State. Running back Curtis Allen led the way, rushing for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 carries. Just six games into the season, Allen has rushed for 1,172 yards and 16 touchdowns. Saturday the Panthers take on Lincoln (PA); VUU obliterated LU 63-12 in their matchup last season.
2 Albany State Golden Rams ( 5-1, 4-0)
The Golden Rams of Albany State catapulted up the rankings from No.5 in last week’s polls. Despite being without starting quarterback Isaiah Knowles for a second consecutive week, as he is in concussion protocol, the Golden Rams were able to pull away in the second half and defeat Clark-Atlanta 32-7. Running backs Aljhanod Thomas and Tiant Wyche each topped the century mark, with Thomas running for 105 yards on 15 carries, while Wyche added 102 yards and a score on 16 attempts. Winners of three straight games, Albany State host Tuskegee on Saturday. The Golden Tigers and Golden Rams have not met since October 5, 2019; Albany State blanked Tuskegee 24-0.
1 Benedict Tigers (6-0, 5-0)
Benedict remains perched atop the polls rankings. The Tigers defeated Fort Valley 14-7 in their most rankings for their sixth straight win on the season. Although the Wildcats outgained the Tigers 222-169, the Benedict defense was able to keep Fort Valley out of the end zone on the afternoon; the Wildcats’ lone score came on a Jaxon Williams 88-yard house call on the game’s opening kickoff. Up next for Benedict is a meeting with the No.6 Tigers of
