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 9 HBCU football power rankings
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M |
| 2 | North Carolina Central |
| 3 | Jackson State |
| 4 | South Carolina State |
| 5 | Alcorn State |
| 6 | Tennessee State |
| 7 | Hampton |
| 8 | Grambling State |
| 9 | Southern |
| 10 | Alabama State |
| 11 | Texas Southern |
| 12 | Howard |
| 13 | Morgan State |
| 14 | Alabama A&M |
| 15 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 16 | Prairie View A&M |
| 17 | Norfolk State |
| 18 | Delaware State |
| 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 | Wk 7
1. Florida A&M | SWAC | 3-2 (1-0) | Prev: 1
Florida A&M had a bye last week.
2. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 5-2 (1-0) | Prev: 2
No, North Carolina Central's blowout win over Virginia Lynchburg isn't enough for the Eagles to grab the top spot.
NCCU: Why NC Central should be the 2024 favorite in HBCU football
3. Jackson State | SWAC | 4-2 (2-0) | Prev: 4
Jackson State had a bye last week.
4. South Carolina State | MEAC | 3-2 (0-0) | Prev: 5
South Carolina State had a bye last week.
5. Alcorn State | SWAC | 4-3 (3-0) | Prev: 9
Alcorn State is now 3-0 in SWAC play after a divisional win over Grambling State.
2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish
6. Tennessee State | OVC | 5-2 (3-1) | Prev: 6
Tennessee State has now won three straight conference games.
7. Hampton | CAA | 3-3 (0-2) | Prev: 9
Hampton had a bye last week.
8. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-3 (0-2) | Prev: 3
Grambling State has a close game problem. Those are back-to-back weeks when the Tigers couldn't close out a game in the clutch.
9. Southern | SWAC | 3-3 (2-0) | Prev: 12
Southern is 2-0 in the SWAC West and is a win away from taking control of the division.
10. Alabama State | SWAC | 3-3 (2-1) | Prev: 10
Alabama State bounced back with its win over Mississippi Valley State.
11. Texas Southern | SWAC | 2-4 (1-2) | Prev: 11
Texas Southern lost a close overtime game to put them at 1-2 in the SWAC and 1-1 in the division. However, the Tigers aren't out of the hunt just yet.
12. Howard | MEAC | 3-3 (0-0) | Prev: 14
Howard is .500 entering homecoming and then conference play. It's a brand new season for the Bison now.
13. Morgan State | MEAC | 3-4 (0-0) | Prev: 7
Morgan State lost to a Merrimack team that wasn't very good. The Bears will have a bye to regroup before conference play.
14. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-3 (1-1) | Prev: 17
Alabama A&M picked up its first DI win, dominating Bethune-Cookman.
15. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 2-4 (1-1) | Prev: 18
Arkansas-Pine Bluff moves up after a win over Prairie View A&M that shook up the SWAC West.
16. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 2-5 (1-3) | Prev: 13
Prairie View A&M is now 1-3 in the SWAC West. Any conference title hopes from the preseason are down the drain.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS
17. Norfolk State | MEAC | 2-6 (0-1) | Prev: 15
Norfolk State has now lost three straight games entering its bye week.
18. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-6 (0-0) | Prev: 16
Delaware State got shut out and, as a result, fell to No. 18 in these rankings.
19. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-5 (0-2) | Prev: 19
North Carolina A&T had a bye last week. Maybe rest and a homecoming crowd can get the Aggies their first DI win in over a year.
20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-6 (0-2) | Prev: 20
Mississippi Valley State came out fast in the first half, leading 17-13 halfway through the second quarter. However, the Delta Devils ran out of steam.
21. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-6 (0-2) | Prev: 21
Bethune-Cookman lost again, this time to Alabama A&M.
🏈: 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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