The top of the HBCU football power rankings has a new look. It's time to take a look at the latest changes from NCAA Digital's Stan Becton.
These are the eighth 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 | North Carolina Central |
| 2 | Jackson State |
| 3 | Florida A&M |
| 4 | South Carolina State |
| 5 | Tennessee State |
| 6 | Southern |
| 7 | Alcorn |
| 8 | Hampton |
| 9 | Grambling State |
| 10 | Alabama State |
| 11 | Texas Southern |
| 12 | Morgan State |
| 13 | Howard |
| 14 | Alabama A&M |
| 15 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 16 | Prairie View A&M |
| 17 | Norfolk State |
| 18 | Delaware State |
| 19 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 20 | North Carolina A&T |
| 21 | Mississippi Valley State |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | WK 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8
1. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 5-2 (1-0) | Prev: 2
North Carolina Central had a bye, but moves to the top spot after Florida A&M lost.
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2. Jackson State | SWAC | 5-2 (3-0) | Prev: 3
Jackson State beat Florida A&M to take control of the SWAC East, but a loss to Grambling State keeps the Tigers of Mississippi out of the top spot.
3. Florida A&M | SWAC | 3-3 (1-1) | Prev: 1
Florida A&M lost to Jackson State, but the game was close. That plus a head-to-head win over South Carolina State keeps the Rattlers at No. 3.
4. South Carolina State | MEAC | 4-2 (0-0) | Prev: 4
South Carolina State handled a DII opponent and stays in the top five.
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5. Tennessee State | OVC | 6-2 (3-1) | Prev: 6
Tennessee State never trailed Howard as it spoiled its homecoming.
6. Southern | SWAC | 4-3 (3-0) | Prev: 9
Southern vs. Alcorn was an intense SWAC West battle. After the win, the Jaguars move to No. 6.
7. Alcorn State | SWAC | 4-4 (3-1) | Prev: 5
Alcorn State falls below Southern in these latest rankings, but holds off Hampton since it only has two FCS losses.
8. Hampton | CAA | 4-3 (1-2) | Prev: 7
Hampton looked like the "Greatest Hampton team On Earth" at GHOE, blasting North Carolina A&T.
9. Grambling State | SWAC | 4-3 (1-2) | Prev: 8
Grambling State got back in the win column with a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
10. Alabama State | SWAC | 3-3 (2-1) | Prev: 10
Alabama State had a bye before the Magic City Classic.
11. Texas Southern | SWAC | 2-4 (1-2) | Prev: 11
Texas Southern had a bye last week and stays put.
12. Morgan State | MEAC | 3-4 (0-0) | Prev: 13
Morgan State had a bye last week, but moved in front of Howard.
13. Howard | MEAC | 3-4 (0-0) | Prev: 12
Howard falls below Morgan State after its loss to Tennessee State. The two MEAC programs are neck-and-neck right now, but Morgan State gets the edge because of its better defense.
14. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-3 (1-1) | Prev: 14
Alabama A&M had a bye before the Magic City Classic.
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15. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 2-5 (1-2) | Prev: 15
Arkansas-Pine Bluff lost last week, but its head-to-head win over Prairie View A&M keeps it at No. 15.
16. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 2-5 (1-3) | Prev: 16
Prairie View A&M had a bye last week.
17. Norfolk State | MEAC | 2-6 (0-1) | Prev: 17
Norfolk State had a bye last week.
18. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-6 (0-0) | Prev: 18
Delaware State had a bye last week.
19. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 1-6 (1-2) | Prev: 21
Bethune-Cookman got in the win column. Its first FCS win offsets its FCS loss for now, moving the Wildcats out of the bottom spot.
20. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-6 (0-3) | Prev: 19
For an HBCU that doesn't play in an HBCU conference, three blowout losses — South Carolina State also beat the Aggies by 20 — against HBCU opponents with the limited number of HBCU games available are never a good sign.
21. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-7 (0-3) | Prev: 20
Mississippi Valley State is winless after losing to Bethune-Cookman.
🏈: 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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