This week’s iteration of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Major Division Top 7 Poll Rankings features nearly unprecedented circumstances with no movement, as all 7 teams occupy the same position they did a week prior.
7. Grambling State Tigers (7-3, 4-2)
Grambling remains at No.7 in this week’s rankings. In their most recent outing, The Tigers defeated Bethune-Cookman 31-23. GSU quarterback Hayden Benoit completed 12of 20 passes for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Andre Crews ran for 130 yards on 14 carries, his first time eclipsing the century mark on the season. Winners of 4 in a row, the Tigers head to Lorman, MS to take on Alcorn State on Saturday. The Braves edged Grambling 17-15 in their matchup last season.
6. North Carolina Central Eagles (6-3, 1-1)
The Eagles of North Carolina Central stay put at No.6 in the Week 11 rankings. Last Saturday North Carolina Central defeated a game Norfolk State team 31-28. Walker Harris turned in another solid performance, completing 24 of 39 passes for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns. Reigning Stats Perform HBCU National Player of the Week, wide receiver Chauncey Spikes hauled in 8 passes for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns; over the past two games he has caught 17 passes for 279 yards and 5 touchdowns. Up next for N.C. Central is hosting the Bulldogs of South Carolina State. SCSU defeated the Eagles 24-21 in their meeting last season.
5. Delaware State Hornets ( 7-3, 3-0)
Delaware State stands pat at fifth in the current week’s rankings. The Hornets narrowly escaped Baltimore with a 14-12 win over Morgan State. Despite their vaunted run game being held to just 114 yards —by far the Hornets’ lowest output of the season —Delaware State still led wire-to-wire. A potential game-winning Morgan State field goal off the foot of Alex Amaya sailed wide right, preserving the win for DSU. Saturday, Delaware State will host the Bison of Howard University. Howard dominated Delaware State 38-0 in their last matchup on November 2, 2024.
4 Prairie View A&M Panthers (7-3, 5-1)
Just as was the case last week, Prairie View is fourth in the polls. In their most recent outing, the Panthers decimated the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M 48-5. The Panthers racked up 607 yards of offense and five different players reached the end zone in the 43-point shellacking. Quarterback Amerindian Peters had his best statistical performance of the season, completing 17 of 22 passes for 394 yards and 5 touchdowns. Up next for the Panthers is a home matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which defeated Prairie View 21-17 in their meeting last season.
3 South Carolina State (7-2, 5-1)
South Carolina State holds its place at No.3 in this week’s rankings. The Bulldogs are coming off a 42-14 thrashing of Howard to preserve their flawless record at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium this season. The win marked the third consecutive time the Bulldogs have defeated the Bison. Defensive back JARON Washington had a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter and then a 77-yard blocked field goal return for another touchdown in the second quarter. The Bulldogs head to Durham, NC, to face North Carolina Central, whom SCSU has defeated in four of their last 5 meetings, including 24-21 at home last season.
2 Jackson State Tigers ( 7-2, 5-1)
As was the case a week before, Jackson State is second in the poll rankings. In their most recent outing, the Tigers decimated Mississippi Valley 42-3. Against his former team. Nate Rembert hauled in 6 passes for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Jared Lockhart, completed 21 of 27 passes for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns, connecting with 10 different receivers. Up next for Jackson State is a home meeting against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at noon. Jackson State has defeated Bethune-Cookman in its last four matchups.
1. Alabama State Hornets ( 7-2, 5-1)
Once again, the Hornets of Alabama State are perched atop Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Major Division Top 7 poll rankings. Despite only possessing the football for 17:52, the Hornets defeated Texas Southern 42-24 in their most recent outing. Quarterback Te’Sean Smoot, standing in for an injured Andrew Body, completed 9 of his 13 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. Running back Marcus Harris II added three touchdowns on the ground. Saturday, the Hornets head to Itta Bena, MS, to take on the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State. Alabama State took MVSU to the woodshed to the tune of a 54-17 thrashing last season.
Receiving Votes:
Bethune-Cookman (5-5, 4-2) 148
Florida A&M Rattlers (4-5, 3-2) 122
Texas Southern Tigers (4-5, 3-3). 121
Dropped out: No one
