The top-five teams stay the same, a new team enters the top 10 and the defending MEAC Champions are free-falling. It's time to take a look at the latest changes from NCAA Digital's Stan Becton.
These are the ninth 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 10 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 | Hampton |
| 7 | Alabama State |
| 8 | Southern |
| 9 | Alcorn State |
| 10 | Texas Southern |
| 11 | Grambling State |
| 12 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 13 | Prairie View A&M |
| 14 | Morgan State |
| 15 | Norfolk State |
| 16 | Howard |
| 17 | Alabama A&M |
| 18 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 19 | Delaware State |
| 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 | Wk 9
1. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 6-2 (2-0) | Prev: 1
That was a big-time win for NC Central against Morgan State. If the Eagles win their next game, they should have the conference title in the bag.
After posting almost 200 yards NCCU Football running back J'mari Taylor speaks with the media following the Homecoming win over MSU.
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NCCU: Why NC Central should be the 2024 favorite in HBCU football
2. Jackson State | SWAC | 6-2 (4-0) | Prev: 2
Jackson State played Bethune-Cookman close in the first half before pulling away. Homecoming is up next for the Tigers.
3. Florida A&M | SWAC | 4-3 (2-1) | Prev: 3
Florida A&M pushed its home win streak to 22 games with a win over Southern.
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2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish
4. South Carolina State | MEAC | 5-2 (1-0) | Prev: 4
Dominant. South Carolina State sent a statement with its 34-point win over Delaware State
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5. Tennessee State | OVC | 6-2 (3-1) | Prev: 5
Tennessee State had a bye week. If the Tigers defeat UT Martin next week, they'll launch near the top of my rankings.
6. Hampton | CAA | 5-3 (2-2) | Prev: 8
Could a winning season be in store for Hampton? It looks extremely likely after the Pirates defeated Elon by 20 points.
7. Alabama State | SWAC | 4-3 (3-1) | Prev: 10
Alabama State beat Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic. It's the third straight win in the series and the second straight win of the season for the Hornets. Alabama State moves up because its only losses have come to top-three HBCU teams and Samford in nonconference play.
Alabama State (safety) Ta'Shaun Sims 86 yard pick-6 against Alabama A&M
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8. Southern | SWAC | 4-4 (3-1) | Prev: 6
Southern lost to Florida A&M but still controls its destiny in the SWAC West. I wouldn't be surprised if the Jaguars run the table before they get to Bayou Classic.
9. Alcorn State | SWAC | 4-4 (3-1) | Prev: 7
Even though Southern lost, Alcorn State can't move in front of the Jaguars because when we last saw the Braves on the gridiron they lost to the Jaguars.
10. Texas Southern | SWAC | 3-4 (2-2) | Prev: 11
Texas Southern enters the top 10 after defeating Grambling State. TSU faces a big test next week, visiting Florida A&M during its homecoming.
11. Grambling State | SWAC | 4-4 (1-3) | Prev: 9
It's safe to say Grambling State's SWAC West title hopes can be flushed down the drain now.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS
12. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 3-5 (2-2) | Prev: 15
Another win keeps Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the rise.
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13. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 3-5 (1-3) | Prev: 16
Prairie View A&M bounced back with a homecoming victory over Texas A&M-Commerce.
14. Morgan State | MEAC | 3-5 (0-1) | Prev: 12
Morgan State falls after another loss. While I don't think the Bears would lose if it played the No. 12 and No. 13 teams in this week's rankings, Morgan State only has one DI win compared to teams with multiple such victories.
15. Norfolk State | MEAC | 3-6 (1-1) | Prev: 17
Norfolk State moves into the top 15 after defeating Howard.
16. Howard | MEAC | 3-5 (0-1) | Prev: 13
How the Bison have fallen. Howard opened MEAC play with a loss to Norfolk State and while it's not out of the MEAC title race yet, it does not look like a championship-quality team.
17. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-4 (1-2) | Prev: 14
Coach Maynor may be on the hot seat after losing his third straight Magic City Classic.
18. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 1-7 (1-3) | Prev: 19
Bethune-Cookman was tied with Jackson State entering halftime before going scoreless in the second half. That's six solid quarters out of their last eight for the Wildcats.
19. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-7 (0-1) | Prev: 18
Delaware State falls after its blowout loss to South Carolina State.
20. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-7 (0-4) | Prev: 20
North Carolina A&T lost again. At least this time the game was within two scores.
21. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-8 (0-4) | Prev: 21
Mississippi Valley State may not win a game this year after losing to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
π: Recapping the 2024 HBCU football season
π² B/R:
π 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
π Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
π HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
π March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
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