The 2024 HBCU football season has kicked off, and every team has played at least one game. It's time to take a look at the first HBCU football power rankings from NCAA Digital's Stan Becton.
These are the first rankings of the season. The rankings will be done weekly throughout the regular season, sorting each HBCU football team at the FCS level based on their performances this season. 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 held in Atlanta.
See the latest power rankings below.
The Road to Atlanta: 2024 Week 2 HBCU football power rankings
1. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 1-0 (0-0) | Prev: 2
North Carolina Central beat my preseason No. 1 team, Alabama State. The predicted MEAC champions have some special teams issues, and Walker Harris needs to be more consistent, but that defense will keep it in contention for the Celebration Bowl all season long.
TOUCHDOOWWWN! 🏈
— orangeblossomfc (@orangeblossomfc)
Check out this replay 🤩 is taking the lead!
2. Jackson State | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 3
Jackson State lost to FBS opponent Louisiana-Monroe but remained within one possession entering the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jacobian Morgan showed positive signs with only five incompletions.
2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish
3. Florida A&M | SWAC | 2-0 (0-0) | Prev: 5
Yes, I know what Rattler Nation is thinking right now. "How is FAMU only No. 3 if it's the defending Celebration Bowl champion and it's 2-0?" First, I'd suggest looking back at the preseason rankings to see why Florida A&M ranked No. 5 to start the year.
Then, when evaluating the on-field product, the wins haven't been pretty, needing fourth-quarter comebacks in both wins over Norfolk State and South Carolina State. However, there is still value in finding a way to win, which is why the Rattlers are up to No. 3.
Last night it was all about D. Rich and the tight ends!
— Florida A&M Football 🏈 (@FAMU_FB)
D. Rich threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, Koby Gross had over 100 yards and a touchdown, and Karter Johnson added 56 yards and a touchdown. | | |
4. Alabama State | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 1
Andrew Body and Jonah O'Brien both took snaps at quarterback, with Body adding a rushing element to the offense while O'Brien was on the field due to his passing prowess. However, O'Brien's two interceptions make me wonder how the Hornets would've fared if Body took all the snaps.
The season-opening loss doesn't knock Alabama State from contention since it was nonconference, but it does create more questions than answers.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS
5. Tennessee State | OVC | 1-0 (0-0) | Prev: 6
A sign of a good team is dominating bad teams. Tennessee State did just that, winning 41-21 over Mississippi Valley State.
Micah Gay, with a fumble recovery, takes it to the house for a 54-yard touchdown with an assist from Eriq George on the force.
— Tennessee State Football (@TSUTigersFB)
1Q | 1:35
TSU — 21
MVSU — 0
6. Howard | MEAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 4
Howard lost to Rutgers to open the season. The offense didn't look the best, but All-American safety Kenny Gallop Jr. proved he'll be elite in the FCS once again.
7. Morgan State | MEAC | 1-0 (0-0) | Prev: 8
Morgan State is ranked No. 7. Its ranking is one less than the number of passes it completed in its win over Hampton. The defense is legit in Baltimore, but if the Bears can't pass the ball, it will get rough later in the season.
8. Texas Southern | SWAC | 1-0 (1-0) | Prev: 16
The best team in the SWAC is Texas Southern. At least, that's what the standings say. The Tigers won the Labor Day Classic for the first time since 2014 and are the first team in the SWAC to win a conference game.
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9. South Carolina State | MEAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 13
The Chennis Berry era at South Carolina State is here and it almost got off to a great start against the defending champs. Yet, the Bulldogs couldn't close it out in Bragg. Still, I liked what I saw from SC State, and I think they'll be a hard out for any HBCU team this year.
10. Alcorn State | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 9
Alcorn State lost to UAB, and while it's hard to judge off of an FBS game, the quarterback position looks sketchy.
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason
11. Grambling State | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 10
Myles Crawley found nine different receivers in a loss to FBS Louisiana. Grambling State will be one to watch with him under center.
BLAKE DAVIS WITH THE *yoink* INT!
— Grambling State Football 🐯 (@GSUFootball01)
TIGER BALL!🐯
12. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 0-1 (0-1) | Prev: 7
A season-opening loss to Texas Southern knocks Prairie View A&M out of the top 10.
13. Southern | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 11
Finish. Finish. Finish.
That's what Southern DID NOT do against McNeese. Twenty-one unanswered fourth-quarter points, special teams mistakes and more plagued the Jaguars. It was an embarrassing end to Week 1 for Southern.
14. Norfolk State | MEAC | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 12
Norfolk State is 0-2, but it does look improved from the last few years under Dawson Odums. The Spartans could go on a run with a few rivalry games up next.
WEEK ZERO: Florida A&M defeats Norfolk State to win the 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
15. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 15
North Carolina A&T only trailed 17-10 at halftime against Wake Forest. The Aggies didn't win the game, but showed signs that it should win more than one game this fall.
16. Hampton | CAA | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 18
Hampton couldn't turn to its run game after falling behind 20-7 in the second quarter, but the Pirates only lost by two points when the clock struck zero. Hampton needs to settle in on a quarterback so Elijah Burris can be the primary focal point of the offense — with more than 15 carries.
17. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 21
Delaware State won its first game in 336 days with its win over Sacred Heart. It moves up out of the bottom spot.
HORNETS WIN! HORNETS WIN! HORNETS WIN!
— Delaware St. Hornets (@DSUHornets)
18. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 14
Alabama A&M lost 73-3 to Auburn. The Bulldogs will look to bounce back against a Division III opponent next week.
19. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 17
Mississippi Valley State couldn't hang with Tennessee State, but there are building blocks from a 21-point fourth quarter.
GAMES TO WATCH: The 20 best nonconference games for the 2024 FCS season
20. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 20
Bethune-Cookman didn't score a touchdown against South Florida. A strong FCS nonconference opponent comes to town next in Mercer.
21. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 0-1 (0-0) | Prev: 19
Few teams got dominated in the fashion Arkansas-Pine Bluff did in a 70-0 loss to Arkansas. The Golden Lions finish last in this week's rankings.
Here’s some of the highlights from Week One of the 2024 SWAC Football season! |
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac)
🏈: Live updates of the 2024 HBCU football season | 2024 Homecoming/Classic schedule
📲 B/R:
📚 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
🏟 Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
🏀 HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
👀 March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
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