Jackson State and Virginia State Surge to No. 1 in Latest HBCU Football Rankings
Jackson State has reclaimed the top spot in the FCS HBCU football poll following a victory over Florida A&M, while Virginia State took over No. 1 in Division II. The updated Week 7 national poll marks the third consecutive week with a new leader in the FCS division.
The national HBCU football rankings experienced another major reset following Week 7 action, with Jackson State reclaiming the top position in Division I FCS and Virginia State ascending to the peak of Division II, according to reporting by HBCU Gameday.
The latest Black College Football Poll, issued following weekend competition, marks the third consecutive week in which a different program has held the premier spot in the FCS rankings. The poll compiles ballots cast by coaches and media members across the country and holds official endorsements from the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC.
Jackson State advanced from No. 2 to No. 1 following its win over Florida A&M. According to HBCU Gameday, the Tigers secured 400 total points alongside 13 of the 21 available first-place ballots. With the victory, Jackson State elevated its overall season record to 6-1 and improved to 3-1 in SWAC conference play.
Alabama A&M climbed to the No. 2 position after defeating Grambling State, gathering 372 points and six first-place votes. South Carolina State rose two spots to No. 3 with 332 points and two first-place votes despite having an open weekend. Morgan State, which occupied the No. 1 ranking a week earlier, slipped to No. 4 after a road setback against Tennessee State. Delaware State completed the top tier of the FCS rankings by moving up one position to No. 5.
Alabama State produced the largest climb of the week in the FCS poll, vaulting three spots from No. 9 into a tie for No. 6 with Grambling State after defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Both programs earned 134 points, with Grambling sliding down from No. 4 after its loss to Alabama A&M. Bethune-Cookman reentered the top 10 at No. 8 following a win over Mississippi Valley State, while Norfolk State held No. 9 and Prairie View A&M reentered at No. 10 after beating Alcorn State. Alcorn State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff fell out of the top 10 entirely.
In Division II, Virginia State captured the No. 1 ranking after moving up from the second spot courtesy of a win over Shaw. The Trojans garnered 258 points and collected 10 of the 14 first-place ballots, pushing their record to 7-1 overall and a pristine 6-0 in CIAA competition.
The CIAA swept the top three positions in Division II, as Johnson C. Smith advanced to No. 2 after defeating Lincoln (PA) and Virginia Union climbed to No. 3 following a victory over Bowie State. Benedict College delivered one of the weekend's biggest shifts by rising from No. 6 to No. 4 after defeating formerly top-ranked Edward Waters, which dropped to No. 5. Kentucky State, Central State, Fayetteville State, Albany State, and Tuskegee completed the Division II top 10.