The final full weekend of D-1 HBCU football saw conference champions finish strong and a few teams setting up well for 2025. As we turn to the SWAC title game, the Celebration Bowl and hopefully the FCS playoffs, here’s how the best of the best rank in HBCU Sports’ Ultimate Division I poll.
1. Jackson State (10-2)
JSU snatched Alcorn State’s soul in the Soul Bowl to finish regular season SWAC play undefeated.
They’ll have a well-earned bye week before hosting Southern in the SWAC championship game Saturday Dec. 7.
2. South Carolina State (9-2)
Another week, another 50 points for the Bulldogs as they finished off their MEAC championship season unbeaten, dominating Norfolk State.
South Carolina State has two weeks of chill ahead before they get the SWAC championship game winner at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.
3. Tennessee State (9-3)
Tennessee State earned a share of the Big South-OVC crown with a hard-fought win over Southeast Missouri but will have to wait and see if it’s enough for the FCS playoffs. Considering their only losses are to North Dakota State and conference foes UT-Martin and Tennessee Tech, Big Blue has earned strong consideration for one of those 24 spots.
4. North Carolina Central (8-3)
After a big win over Delaware State, North Carolina Central will also wait and see if they get invited to the FCS playoff party. If not, it’ll be a long offseason for the Eagles as they prepare to regroup for 2025.
5. Southern (7-4)
Southern was off this weekend, and will return to action with two huge games in successive weeks.
First up is the annual Bayou Classic showdown with Grambling, then a trip to Jackson awaits, as well as the Tigers, for the SWAC championship game.
6. Florida A&M (6-5)
The Rattlers returned to business as usual with a 41-point outburst and a win in the Florida Classic over Bethune-Cookman.
They’ll attempt to finish with a winning record this Friday when they face Alabama A&M in a game that was postponed thanks to Hurricane Helene.
7. Alabama State (6-5)
Alabama State didn’t score any touchdowns, but they got the win over Prairie View, which is good enough for the Hornets.
They’ll close out the 2024 season with their annual Turkey Day Classic showdown against Tuskegee.
8. Morgan State (6-6)
Morgan State defeated Howard to finish with their best record since winning the MEAC 10 years ago.
Considering how tough this season has been for the Bears, one has to believe that a bright future with Damon Wilson in charge is just around the corner.
9. Alcorn State (6-6)
The Soul Bowl turned into a gut punch for Alcorn State as their season ends on a disappointing note.
They’ll look to regroup and stake a claim to first place in the Wild Wild SWAC West in 2025.
10. Alabama A&M (6-5)
The Bulldogs have come alive in the latter half of the season to get to 6-5, including surviving a track meet against Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.
AAMU will look to secure their first winning season since 2021 with a rescheduled visit to Bragg Stadium this Friday, where Florida A&M is looking for a winning record of their own.