Another week, another team taking the top spot at the top of the HBCU football power rankings. It's time to take a look at the latest changes from NCAA Digital's Stan Becton.
These are the third rankings of the regular 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 5 HBCU football power rankings
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M |
| 2 | North Carolina Central |
| 3 | Grambling State |
| 4 | Morgan State |
| 5 | Hampton |
| 6 | Tennessee State |
| 7 | Jackson State |
| 8 | Texas Southern |
| 9 | South Carolina State |
| 10 | Southern |
| 11 | Howard |
| 12 | Alabama State |
| 13 | Norfolk State |
| 14 | Alcorn State |
| 15 | Prairie View A&M |
| 16 | Delaware State |
| 17 | Alabama A&M |
| 18 | North Carolina A&T |
| 19 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 20 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 21 | Bethune-Cookman |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4
1. Florida A&M | SWAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 2
Even after losing to two FBS opponents, Florida A&M moves to the top spot. The Rattlers have two FCS wins, a feat that only five HBCUs can claim after Week 4.
2. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 4
66 points. North Carolina Central didn't let up on North Carolina A&T in Saturday's rivalry game. The Eagles dominated and moved up to No. 2 in the rankings.
NCCU: Why NC Central should be the 2024 favorite in HBCU football
3. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-1 (0-0) | Prev: 7
Grambling State could arguably be the top team in HBCU football. I don't think they are yet, but after dismantling Jackson State down the stretch, I can understand those who say so. If the Tigers can replicate their performance in this week's State Fair Classic, they might move up again.
4. Morgan State | MEAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 5
A win over Virginia-Lynchburg will never move the needle for me. However, Morgan State moved up one spot because it did defeat Hampton head-to-head.
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5. Hampton | CAA | 3-1 (0-0) | Prev: 10
Hampton has beaten Howard in "The Battle of the Real HU" in eight straight games. That's one way to dominate your rival.
6. Tennessee State | OVC | 2-2 (0-1) | Prev: 3
Tennessee State still hasn't solved its issue of closing out games that we saw emerge last November. A rivalry loss to Tennessee Tech knocks the Tigers out of the top five.
7. Jackson State | SWAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State fans can't be happy with how the Tigers finished against Grambling State. On the bright side, JSU's loss won't count against its conference record.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS
8. Texas Southern | SWAC | 1-2 (1-0) | Prev: 6
Texas Southern only lost by three points to an FCS-ranked Lamar team. That quality loss could give the Tigers a positive outlook for the rest of the season.
9. South Carolina State | MEAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 8
South Carolina State had a bye last week.
10. Southern | SWAC | 2-2 (1-0) | Prev: 14
Southern took down Prairie View A&M in overtime to grab an early-season edge in the SWAC West. In a division that always comes down to the season's final weeks, the Jaguars finding a way to win could pay off in a few months.
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11. Howard | MEAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 9
Bobby Shmurda became famous, went to jail, served his time and has since been released for three years. And in all that time, Howard has still not found a way to defeat Hampton in football. Hence, the Bison fell out of the top 10.
12. Alabama State | SWAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 11
Alabama State had a bye last week.
13. Norfolk State | MEAC | 2-3 (0-0) | Prev: 18
Norfolk State dominated VMI. That performance gave the Spartans their first FCS win of the season.
14. Alcorn State | SWAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 12
Alcorn State fell to 1-3 after losing to McNeese. The Alcorn passing game might be the worst in FCS HBCU football.
15. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 1-3 (0-2) | Prev: 13
The path to a SWAC Championship looks bleak for Prairie View A&M as the Panthers fall to 0-2 in the conference and the SWAC West Division.
16. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 15
Delaware State played Richmond deep into the fourth quarter. This year's Hornets team won't go away lightly, no matter who the opponent is.
MORE HBCU FOOTBALL: Florida A&M defeats Norfolk State to win the 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
17. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 17
Alabama A&M lost to an Austin Peay team that took a step back from playoff contention this year in the FCS. Yes, the Bulldogs are 2-2, but neither of those wins have come against an FCS opponent.
18. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 16
A belt. A switch. A chancla. That's the type of whooping North Carolina Central put on North Carolina A&T in this year's Aggie-Eagle Classic.
19. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 19
Arkansas-Pine Bluff played a top-10 FCS team tough for the first quarter before the game became a rout.
20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-4 (0-0) | Prev: 21
Mississippi Valley State got shut out against Nicholls, but that's far from the worst performance of the week by an FCS HBCU.
21. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-4 (0-0) | Prev: 20
FCS schools should not lose to Division II schools. A loss to Clark Atlanta will make it hard for Bethune-Cookman to move up from the bottom of the rankings.
🏈: Recapping the 2024 HBCU football season
📲 B/R:
📚 Football History: Top MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments | Individual stars | | Recapping 2022 | Recapping 2021
Championships: Jackson State wins 2024 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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