Two headline-drawing head coaches picked up their first wins after Delaware State's DeSean Jackson and Norfolk State's Michael Vick got W's in Week 2. Here's how that impacted this week's HBCU football power rankings from 草莓网站在线看 Digital's Stan Becton.
These are the second 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: 2025 Week 3 HBCU football power rankings
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State lost to Southern Miss out of the FBS, but still holds on to the top spot.
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2. Alabama State | SWAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 4
Alabama State went into Baton Rouge and used a dominant second half to beat Southern 30-7. If North Carolina Central was No. 2 based off of a neutral site win over Southern, it's only right that a win on the road launches the Hornets to the same spot.
3. South Carolina State | MEAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 3
South Carolina State played a solid game against FBS top-10 team South Carolina. The Bulldogs limited Heisman candidate LaNorris Sellers to just 151 total yards and one touchdown, only allowing the Gamecocks to convert 25 percent of their third downs.
That's an impressive showing from an FCS defense against an FBS opponent.
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4. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 2
North Carolina Central has lost two straight after a loss to FBS Old Dominion. However, an FBS loss won't drop the Eagles out of the top five.
5. Tennessee State | OVC-Big South | 1-1 (0-0)| Prev: 7
Tennessee State moves up after a loss to North Dakota State, not because of its own doing, but instead because of the losses from other teams.
Even though I moved TSU up, the Tigers don't look like a team that can compete for a playoff spot this year.
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6. Howard | MEAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 9
An FBS loss to Temple won't hurt Howard as much as FCS losses from other top-10 teams from last week hurt them. The Bison slot in at No. 6.
7. Southern | SWAC | 1-2 (1-0) | Prev: 5
Southern falls out of the top five after a home loss. A difficult start to the season won't get any easier with a trip to FBS Fresno State up next.
8. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 1-1 (1-0) | Prev: 6
Prairie View falls two spots after losing to UT Rio Grande Valley in the school's second game ever. However, a win over Texas Southern keeps the Panthers in the top 10.
9. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 14
Delaware State in the top 10? The answer is yes after the Hornets hanged with an FBS team into the second half in Week 1, before picking up the first win of the DeSean Jackson era in Week 2.
It's early, but the DSU program looks headed in the right direction.
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10. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 16
Last week, I said there was work to be done in Huntsville. After Week 2, it looks like the work was put was put in.
Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV completed 74 percent of his passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns while running for 69 yards and another two scores. More performances like that could have AAMU contending in the SWAC East.
| RANK | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State |
| 2 | Alabama State |
| 3 | South Carolina State |
| 4 | North Carolina Central |
| 5 | Tennessee State |
| 6 | Howard |
| 7 | Southern |
| 8 | Prairie View A&M |
| 9 | Delaware State |
| 10 | Alabama A&M |
| 11 | Morgan State |
| 12 | Texas Southern |
| 13 | Grambling State |
| 14 | Hampton |
| 15 | Florida A&M |
| 16 | Norfolk State |
| 17 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 18 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 19 | North Carolina A&T |
| 20 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 21 | Alcorn State |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2
11. Morgan State | MEAC | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 8
Morgan State fell to 0-2 after losing to Towson in the final minute. That knocks the Bears out of the top 10.
12. Texas Southern | SWAC | 0-2 (0-1) | Prev: 10
Texas Southern gets bumped out of the top 10, still winless after losing to FBS California.
11. Grambling State | SWAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 11
Grambling couldn't score a point against the No. 1 team in the country, Ohio State. They'll get to recover against a DII opponent up next.
14. Hampton | CAA | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 12
Hampton falls two spots after a lackluster win over Division II's Elizabeth City State that needed a game-winning touchdown with less than a minute left.
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15. Florida A&M | SWAC | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 13
Florida A&M is still winless as it heads into its first home game of the season.
16. Norfolk State | MEAC | 1-1 (0-0) | Prev: 15
Norfolk State needed overtime to beat a Division II opponent, albeit a rival. Still, that's not enough to move the Spartans up in the rankings.
MORE RANKINGS: AFCA Coaches Poll | STATS PERFORM
17. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-2 (0-1) | Prev: 17
Mississippi Valley State was outmatched against a top-three FCS-ranked Tarleton State squad.
18. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 18
UAPB couldn't compete with in-state foe Central Arkansas, falling to 0-2.
19. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 20
North Carolina A&T avoided a shutout with a late fourth-quarter touchdown against UCF.
20. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 19
Bethune-Cookman falls as the Wildcats have yet to score a touchdown in two games to start the year.
21. Alcorn State | SWAC | 0-2 (0-0) | Prev: 21
Alcorn State fell to 0-2 against the FCS after a loss to Alabama A&M.
馃张: Recapping the 2024 HBCU football season
馃摬 B/R:
馃摎 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
馃彑 Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
馃弨 HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
馃憖 March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
