Business is picking up in the Division I segment of HBCU football with several teams earning huge victories in Week 6 while the not-so-victorious need to regroup in a hurry. Here’s Week 8’s HBCU Sports Ultimate D-I poll, featuring a lot of movement.
1. North Carolina Central (5-2)
Central’s Saturday game against Virginia University of Lynchburg was never in question as the Eagles finished off the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 5-2 mark.
NCCU will have a well-earned bye this week, then MEAC play begins with their homecoming game against Morgan State on Oct. 26.
2. Florida A&M (3-2)
The Rattlers had their scheduled bye week this past Saturday and will now turn their attention to their annual war with Jackson State University. Much like the previous three seasons, this matchup will likely determine the SWAC East winner.
3. Jackson State (4-2)
The Tigers, also on a bye this past weekend, will look to reclaim the SWAC East crown when FAMU visits Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium this weekend.
4. South Carolina State (3-2)
The Bulldogs enjoyed another week off following a heart-stopping win at Tennessee Tech.
This week, they’re back home against Division II Fort Valley State, who can put up points in bunches, so SCSU won’t take them lightly.
5. Tennessee State (5-2)
Last week, we asked if Tennessee State could handle an opponent they should handle, or would this be another stress-fest?
The Tigers indeed took care of business, trouncing Eastern Illinois and will now take part in the Black Excellence Bowl when they visit Howard for their homecoming this coming Saturday.
6. Howard (3-3)
The Bison helped the MEAC complete a winning season against Sacred Heart with a come-from-behind victory to even their record.
Their last non-conference game is a homecoming battle with Tennessee State, which should be a good game.
7. Alcorn State (4-3)
Alcorn State went into Eddie Robinson Stadium and stifled Grambling to keep a share of first place in the SWAC West.
The Braves can really tighten the screws on that lead when they visit Southern, the only other unbeaten in the division, next Saturday.
8. Alabama State (3-3)
The Hornets started slow, then zipped past Mississippi Valley State to improve to 2-1 in the SWAC East. They’ll still need some help to catch up to Florida A&M or Jackson State, but the possibility still exists. Even if it’s a faint possibility.
ASU is off this week, then it’s off to Birmingham for the Magic City Classic against bitter rival Alabama A&M Oct. 26.
9. Grambling (3-3)
A week off and some extra tinkering did not solve Grambling’s offensive struggles, and it likely cost them their chance at the SWAC West championship.
The Tigers will need to rebound quickly because next up this weekend is Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who just beat last year’s division champion Prairie View.
10. Southern (3-3)
It wasn’t easy, but the Jaguars held off a game Texas Southern team in overtime to improve to 2-0 in SWAC West play.
Alcorn State visits Baton Rouge this Saturday in a game where the winner will have firm command of first place in the Wild Wild West, so Southern will have to play better than they did this past weekend.