There's a new team in the top five 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 sixth 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 7 HBCU football power rankings
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M |
| 2 | North Carolina Central |
| 3 | Grambling State |
| 4 | Jackson State |
| 5 | South Carolina State |
| 6 | Tennessee State |
| 7 | Morgan State |
| 8 | Hampton |
| 9 | Alcorn State |
| 10 | Alabama State |
| 11 | Texas Southern |
| 12 | Southern |
| 13 | Prairie View A&M |
| 14 | Howard |
| 15 | Norfolk State |
| 16 | Delaware State |
| 17 | Alabama A&M |
| 18 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 19 | North Carolina A&T |
| 20 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 21 | Bethune-Cookman |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | WK 5 | Wk 6
1. Florida A&M | SWAC | 3-2 (1-0) | Prev: 1
Florida A&M remains undefeated against the FCS with its win over Alabama State, the preseason divisional favorite.
2. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 4-2 (1-0) | Prev: 2
Draw a big line after North Carolina Central in these rankings. That's the statement the Eagles made with their win over Campbell.
NCCU: Why NC Central should be the 2024 favorite in HBCU football
3. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-2 (0-1) | Prev: 3
Grambling State had a bye. Its win over Jackson State earlier in the season keeps it in the top three.
2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish
4. Jackson State | SWAC | 4-2 (2-0) | Prev: 4
Jackson State has either won by multiple scores or lost by multiple scores this season. I think the Tigers will be closer to the winning side of things than the losing side during the rest of the season.
5. South Carolina State | MEAC | 3-2 (0-0) | Prev: 7
South Carolina State beat a Tennessee Tech team that Tennessee State lost to so the Bulldogs move past the Tigers.
6. Tennessee State | OVC | 4-2 (2-1) | Prev: 5
Tennessee State seems to have figured out how to win close games. That's a good sign entering the thick of conference play soon.
7. Morgan State | MEAC | 3-3 (0-0) | Prev: 8
Morgan State beat Lincoln, a Division II team. Not much to learn from that one. Two of Morgan State's three wins aren't against FCS teams.
8. Hampton | CAA | 3-3 (0-2) | Prev: 6
A double-overtime loss to Rhode Island knocks Hampton below a Morgan State team it lost to in the season opener.
9. Alcorn State | SWAC | 3-3 (2-0) | Prev: 11
Alcorn State handled business against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. There are no more cupcakes left for the Braves to play.
10. Alabama State | SWAC | 2-3 (1-1) | Prev: 10
Alabama State stays put, not because its loss didn't matter, but because there wasn't another team worth moving into the top 10.
11. Texas Southern | SWAC | 2-3 (1-1) | Prev: 12
Texas Southern played the closest game I've ever seen against Virginia-Lynchburg. A win is still a win so it moves up a spot.
12. Southern | SWAC | 2-3 (1-0) | Prev: 9
Southern got absolutely embarrassed against Nicholls. If the Jaguars didn't have a head-to-head win over Prairie View, I'd drop them down further.
13. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 2-4 (1-2) | Prev: 13
Prairie View A&M lost big to a ranked UIW team after playing the Cardinals close in the first half.
14. Howard | MEAC | 2-3 (0-0) | Prev: 14
Howard had a bye last week and even though teams ranked above it lost, the Bison can't move up until it beats a team that's established in the FCS.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS
Bottom of the rankings
Every team ranked from No. 15 to No. 21 lost or had a bye last week. None of the performances in losses were inspiring enough to change any of their rankings.
15. Norfolk State | MEAC | 2-5 (0-1) | Prev: 15
16. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-5 (0-0) | Prev: 16
17. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 2-3 (0-1) | Prev: 17
18. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 1-4 (0-1) | Prev: 18
19. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-5 (0-2) | Prev: 19
20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-5 (0-1) | Prev: 20
21. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-5 (0-1) | Prev: 21
🏈: 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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