The Road to Atlanta: Steady at the top in Week 6's HBCU football power rankings

While the top three teams remain the same, there are changes throughout the rest 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 fifth 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 6 HBCU football power rankings

PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | WK 5

1. Florida A&M | SWAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 1

Florida A&M's game was postponed against Alabama A&M after Hurricane Helene.

2. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 3-2 (1-0) | Prev: 2

They should start naming the Circle City Classic the Walker Harris Invitational given the way the quarterback and North Carolina Central dominated the game for the second straight year. The Eagles picked up a key MEAC win in their MEAC opener.

NCCU: Why NC Central should be the 2024 favorite in HBCU football

3. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-2 (0-1) | Prev: 3

Grambling State stays at No. 3, but that gap between the top two and No. 3 has widened after Grambling State's five-overtime loss to Prairie View A&M.

2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish

4. Jackson State | SWAC | 3-2 (1-0) | Prev: 7

I moved Jackson State past Tennessee State when both teams won because of how the Tigers of Mississippi won. JSU beat Texas Southern in excellent fashion, winning by 29 points

Jackson State QB Jacobian Morgan takes it 72 YARDS TO THE CRIB! 🏡

Thee JSU Tigers are having their way against the TSU Tigers.

📺: ESPN+

— LIGHT ON COLLEGE SPORTS (@LightOnSports)

5. Tennessee State | OVC | 3-2 (1-1) | Prev: 4

Tennessee State got back in the win column after a game-winning touchdown against Charleston Southern.

TIGERS TAKE THE LEAD‼️ rushes for a 1️⃣9️⃣-yard TD to give a lead with 46 seconds to go!

— Big South-OVC Football Association (@BigSouthOVCFB)

6. Hampton | CAA | 3-2 (0-1) | Prev: 5

Here comes the CAA slate for Hampton. In past years, an impressive 3-1 start would only lead to a losing season. Let's see if this year is different after a loss to a ranked William & Mary team.

7. South Carolina State | MEAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 9

South Carolina State is now 2-1 against FCS opponents, with the only loss coming by four points to Florida A&M. The Bulldogs could be a top-five HBCU team by Halloween.

After a Big Play, scored a touchdown!
🔴🔵🏈🐶

— South Carolina State Football (@SCState_Fb)

8. Morgan State | MEAC | 2-3 (0-0) | Prev: 4

The offense at Morgan State is garbage. That defense can only do so much.

9. Southern | SWAC | 2-2 (1-0) | Prev: 10

Southern had a bye last week.

10. Alabama State | SWAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 12

Alabama State is back in the top-10 after beating Bethune-Cookman

🏈 ⚫ 🟡

— Alabama State Football (@BamaStateFB)

11. Alcorn State | SWAC | 2-3 (1-0) | Prev: 14

Alcorn State gets some of the lower-ranked HBCU teams in back-to-back weeks, most recently defeating Mississippi Valley State with Arkansas-Pine Bluff up next.

12. Texas Southern | SWAC | 1-3 (1-1) | Prev: 8

Texas Southern has now lost three straight games since winning the Labor Day Classic.

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS

13. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 2-3 (1-2) | Prev: 15

Prairie View won the second-longest game in FCS history, taking down Grambling State in five overtimes.

Instant Classic 🍿 scores the 2-point conversion to win the State Fair Classic in 5OT. x 🎥 ESPN+

— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS)

14. Howard | MEAC | 2-3 (0-0) | Prev: 11

Howard lost to Princeton and continues to struggle at the quarterback position.

15. Norfolk State | MEAC | 2-4 (0-1) | Prev: 13

Norfolk State isn't ready to win the MEAC this year and it showed in the Circle City Classic.

16. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 16

Delaware State is going to knock off some teams in the MEAC this year. That was my takeaway after the Hornets put up 41 points in a loss to Campbell.

WINNERS: College football's longest active regular-season win streaks

17. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 17

Alabama A&M's game against Florida A&M was canceled so the Bulldogs stay put.

18. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 19

A bye week is better than a blowout loss so the Golden Lions move up one spot.

19. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-4 (0-1) | Prev: 18

I have ZERO confidence that North Carolina A&T will win another game on its schedule. That means back-to-back one-win seasons for the Aggies.

20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-5 (0-1) | Prev: 20

Mississippi Valley State couldn't hang with Alcorn State losing by 21 points.

21. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-5 (0-0) | Prev: 21

Bethune-Cookman will have to win a game for me to move it out of the bottom spot.

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