The 2023 HBCU football season is over, and it's time to take a look at the final HBCU football power rankings from NCAA Digital's Stan Becton.
These rankings have been done weekly throughout the regular season, as I sorted 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.
All previous rankings are from before the final regular season week (Week 12).
See the final power rankings below.
1. Florida A&M | SWAC | 12-1 (8-0) | Prev: 1
Florida A&M has a new reason to "Bragg Different" after winning its first Celebration Bowl over Howard. The Rattlers went undefeated against the SWAC in the regular season, have the longest home win streak in the FCS and finished undefeated against FCS competition. Florida A&M's win in the Celebration Bowl cements the Rattlers as not just the best team in HBCU football, but also one of the best teams in the FCS.
CHAMPIONS: Recapping the 2023 Celebration Bowl: Florida A&M vs. Howard
2. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 9-3 (4-1) | Prev: 2
North Carolina Central made it to the FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history, but a playoff appearance is still short of the preseason goal of repeating as MEAC champions. A blowout loss to Richmond also wasn't the finish the Eagles wanted. Nonetheless, NC Central still had some great moments throughout the year, only losing one FCS regular season game. When looking at the season as a whole, the Eagles still get a high ranking in these season-ending rankings.
3. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 6-6 (6-2) | Prev: 5
Prairie View A&M won the SWAC West for the first time in head coach Bubba McDowell's tenure. The Panthers couldn't stop Florida A&M in the championship game (no one in the SWAC could this year), but the program is building and should remain a SWAC title contender for years to come.
4. Alcorn State | SWAC | 6-4 (5-2) | Prev: 6
Alcorn State finishes the 2023 season inside the top five after finishing second in the SWAC West. The Braves won six of their last seven games to rise up the rankings and standings, but ultimately, a Sunday afternoon blowout loss to Texas Southern that kept them out of the SWAC Championship game.
MORE: Everything that happened in the 2023 HBCU football season
5. Howard | MEAC | 6-6 (4-1) | Prev: 7
Howard made its first appearance in the Celebration Bowl after winning the MEAC outright for the first time since 1993. While the Bison fell short in Atlanta, this season was still a success for the school nicknamed "The Mecca".
6. Jackson State | SWAC | 7-4 (5-3) | Prev: 3
The first year of the T.C. Taylor era ends with Jackson State at No. 6 after the Tigers closed the season with a loss to rival Alcorn State. That loss knocked Jackson State out of the top five.
7. Alabama State | SWAC | 7-4 (5-3) | Prev: 4
Before you get started, I know Alabama State beat Jackson State on Jackson State's homecoming. However, the Hornets also lost to a DII opponent, Miles, earlier in the season. That loss keeps Alabama State below Jackson State in these final rankings.
All-HBCU: The top HBCU football players, by position, from the 2023 season
8. Hampton | CAA | 5-6 (3-5) | Prev: 8
Hampton finished 3-1 against HBCUs this year, including a win over MEAC champion Howard. The Pirates also had their best season in the CAA to date, beating a Richmond team that blasted the MEAC's second-best team. Those two wins land the Pirates in the top 10.
9. Tennessee State | Big South-OVC | 6-4 (2-3) | Prev: 9
Tennessee State closed the 2023 season with three straight losses. It was a disappointing end for the Tigers after having FCS playoff hopes entering November. On the bright side, Tennessee State will still be represented in Frisco by Buck Buchanan Award finalist Terrell Allen, who led the nation in sacks and tackles for loss.
10. Southern | SWAC | 6-5 (4-3) | Prev: 12
Southern won the Bayou Classic to finish the season in the top 10 of the HBCU football power rankings. However, this season is still a failure for a Jaguars team voted to win the SWAC West in the preseason, and as a result, head coach Eric Dooley was fired. Southern's five losses all came to HBCUs in the top 10 of these rankings, proving that the Jaguars couldn't live up to the hype this season.
đ: HBCU football championship history
11. Morgan State | MEAC | 4-6 (3-2) | Prev: 10
Morgan State won three of its last four games behind a defense that was one of the most talented in HBCU football. Even though the Bears finished with a losing record, a nonconference win over Richmond still reigns supreme among HBCU nonconference games this season. That keeps Morgan State on the edge of the top 10.
12. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 5-6 (3-5) | Prev: 15
Alabama A&M lost three of its final four games and didn't beat an FCS HBCU with a winning record. One of those wins came over Grambling State, which is enough for the Bulldogs to land in the top 12.
MEAC VS SWAC: 16 of the best MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments
13. South Carolina State | MEAC | 5-6 (3-2) | Prev: 16
Legendary HBCU football coach Buddy Pough's final year didn't go as planned, finishing with a 5-6 record before retiring. However, Pough did lead South Carolina State to a 4-4 record against FCS competition, landing the Bulldogs at No. 13.
14. Grambling State | SWAC | 5-6 (4-4) | Prev: 11
Grambling State closed the season with a loss in the Bayou Classic to a Southern team that fired its coach before the game. The Hue Jackson era at Grambling State ended shortly after as the head coach got fired. Grambling State's rough end to the season drops the Tigers four spots in the final rankings.
2023 Games: 2023 MEAC/SWAC Challenge | Orange Blossom Classic | History of every HBCU classic
15. Texas Southern | SWAC | 3-8 (2-6) | Prev: 13
Texas Southern struggled this year after quarterback Andrew Body's departure, finishing 3-8. However, the Tigers showed a fighting spirit to the very end, landing a notable upset win over Alcorn State that shook up the SWAC West.
16. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 3-8 (2-6) | Prev: 14
Bethune-Cookman lost to Texas Southern head-to-head, so the Wildcats finished the season with a lower ranking than the Tigers.
17. Norfolk State | MEAC | 3-8 (1-4) | Prev: 17
Norfolk State opened the season with a DII loss. That puts the Spartans at the bottom of all of the three-win teams.
đ: The greatest individual seasons in HBCU football history
18. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-10 (0-8) | Prev: 18
Yes, North Carolina A&T beat Norfolk State. However, the Aggies only have one win, so they still fall behind the Spartans.
19. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 1-10 (1-7) | Prev: 20
Even with two losses to DII opponents, Mississippi Valley State avoids the bottom spot. The Delta Devils have a DI win (unlike Delaware State) and a head-to-head win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, keeping them out of the bottom spot.
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20. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 2-9 (1-7) | Prev: 21
Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished with a better record than Mississippi Valley State, but the Golden Lions lost by 25 points to the Delta Devils. That loss keeps UAPB below MVSU.
21. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-10 (0-5) | Prev: 19
Delaware State is the worst team in HBCU football in the 2023 season. The Hornets lost to a DII opponent to open the year and finished the year with zero DI wins, with the only win coming over Virginia University of Lynchburg.
đ: Live updates of the 2024 HBCU football season | 2024 Homecoming/Classic schedule
đ˛ B/R:
đ Football History: Top MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments | Individual stars | | Recapping 2022 | Recapping 2021
Championships: FAMU wins Celebration Bowl | Tennessee State, NC Central win tennis title | Football title history | Track champions
đ Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
đ HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
đ March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
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