Who should be the No. 2 team in HBCU football? Southern or North Carolina Central? That's the debate of Week 8, but I have the answer in this week's HBCU football power rankings.
These will be done weekly throughout the regular season, as I sort each HBCU football team at the FCS level based on their performances. Nicknamed The Road to Atlanta, the weekly power rankings lead to the annual meeting of HBCU football's two best teams at this year's Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.
The Road to Atlanta: Week 8 HBCU Football Power Rankings
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 6-0 (5-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State won another SWAC game dominantly. The Tigers have an average margin of victory of 34.5 points this season.
Santee Marshall scores on the ground for !
— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers)
2022 HBCU: Here's what you may have missed in Week 7 of HBCU football
2. Southern | SWAC | 4-2 (3-1) | Prev: 4
Southern has now won three straight games, all against SWAC West opponents. With wins over highly-ranked HBCUs Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State, the Jaguars move in front of North Carolina Central for the second spot. Those wins allow Southern to control its own destiny in the SWAC West entering the homestretch of the season.
Southern strikes again 💰
— Andscape (@andscape)
Jags 14-0
📺 ESPN+
3. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 5-1 (1-0) | Prev: 3
North Carolina Central bounced back from its bye week in dominant fashion, blowing out Morgan State on Thursday night. Quarterback Davius Richard scored six touchdowns, asserting himself as one of HBCU football's best players.
Ok, we can shut ‘er down now . It’s a BEATdown going on in Durham. 42-13 at halftime, dominating Morgan State & Davius Richard is in pole position for Offensive Player of the Week.
— J.B. Ricks Sr. (@JB_Ricks)
4. Alcorn State | SWAC | 3-3 (2-1) | Prev: 2
Alcorn State's loss to Southern saw its rushing attack held in check as the Braves failed to find the endzone on the ground. However, Alcorn State only dropped two spots since the loss came to another highly-ranked team.
WHAT A CATCH 😱
— Andscape (@andscape)
TOP 10:
5. Florida A&M | SWAC | 5-2 (3-1) | Prev: 5
Florida A&M has now won five straight games. However, the Rattlers need Jackson State to lose two conference games for any shot at the SWAC Championship.
THE MOOSE IS LOOSE!
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
Jeremy Moussa scores his first rushing touchdown of the season giving the Rattlers the lead.
FAMU - 17
GSU - 10 | |
6. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 3-3 (3-1) | Prev: 6
Prairie View A&M had a bye week.
PAST RANKINGS: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7
7. Hampton | CAA | 4-2 (1-2) | Prev: 7
Hampton picked up its first CAA conference win, needing overtime to defeat Albany. Quarterback Malcolm Mays impressed, throwing four touchdowns in the win.
First-ever CAA victory for ❗️
— CAA Football (@CAAFootball)
Malcolm Mays passed for 208 yards and four touchdowns as Hampton rallied past UAlbany, 38-37 in overtime
8. Delaware State | MEAC | 4-2 (1-0) | Prev: 9
Delaware State won its first MEAC game of 2022, spoiling Norfolk State's homecoming. The Hornets swap a spot with North Carolina A&T because they now have multiple FCS wins.
🔥: Here are the most exciting HBCU players, right now, after the 1st month
9. North Carolina A&T | Big South | 3-3 (1-0) | Prev: 8
North Carolina A&T handled its business against Edward Waters, a Division II school.
10. South Carolina State | MEAC | 2-4 (0-0) | Prev: 10
South Carolina State avoided a trap game against Virginia University of Lynchburg, but a big test looms with North Carolina Central coming to town.
CAN'T MISS: 6 HBCU football game-day atmospheres that you need to experience
11. Alabama State | SWAC | 4-3 (2-2) | Prev: 11
Alabama State started quarterback Myles Crawley in its win against Mississippi Valley State. The Hornets have two solid options under center that have shown the ability to get the job done.
12. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-4 (3-1) | Prev: 13
Alabama A&M won a close game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Bulldogs have now won three straight games.
13. Texas Southern | SWAC | 2-4 (2-1) | Prev: 12
Texas Southern had a bye week.
👀: The best players at every position in FCS football, right now
14. Tennessee State | OVC | 2-4 (1-0) | Prev: 15
Draylen Ellis looked like the Week 1 Draylen Ellis against Tennessee Tech, showing off his dual-threat ability in Tennessee State's win. If the Tigers can stay healthy, they could make a run up the OVC standings.
Draylen Ellis shows off his wheels and takes it 50 yard the house for the score‼️💨
— Tennessee State Football (@TSUTigersFB)
2Q | :38
TSU - 16
TTU - 0 x
CLASSICS: Here's every 2022 HBCU football classic in the FCS
15. Morgan State | MEAC | 2-4 (0-2) | Prev: 14
Morgan State's offense struggled on national TV. The Bears will need to rediscover the momentum it had during their two-game win streak if they want to make a run in the MEAC.
16. Howard | MEAC | 1-5 (0-0) | Prev: 16
Howard fought hard for much of its game against Harvard, even though the Bison were without typical starting quarterback Quinton Williams. MEAC play is up next for Howard.
Tolbert connects with Brown as Howard pulls closer to Harvard.
— Andscape (@andscape)
📺 ESPN3
17. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 1-5 (1-2) | Prev: 17
Bethune-Cookman struggled against Jackson State. Hopefully, the Wildcats can return to their home practice field sooner rather than later to regroup for the final stretch of the season.
18. Norfolk State | MEAC | 1-6 (1-1) | Prev: 18
After opening MEAC play with a win, Norfolk State couldn't use its homecoming-crowd advantage to remain undefeated in conference play.
MEAC VS SWAC: 16 of the best MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments
19. Grambling State | SWAC | 1-6 (0-4) | Prev: 19
Grambling State got its "Gs" back on its helmets, but couldn't get a W.
20. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 2-5 (0-4) | Prev: 20
The Golden Lions have now lost five straight games.
🏆: HBCU football championship history
21. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-7 (0-4) | Prev: 21
A rough season continued for Mississippi Valley State, but there were signs of progress in a 24-9 loss.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
