For the first time in the history of the Boxtorow HBCU Football Top-10 media and coaches’ power ranking polls, the Alabama State Hornets are on top.
The Hornets were ranked No. 3 in last week’s media poll and No. 2 in the coaches polls, but with the Norfolk State Spartans victory over last week’s No. 1 South Carolina State, the Hornets earned the top spot this week.
Alabama State received 13 of 19 first place votes from the media and 10 of 13 first place votes from the coaches.
In the media poll, Norfolk State received five first place votes and moved into second place this week after its 17-14 mild upset over South Carolina State. This is the highest the Spartans have ever been ranked in either poll. Jackson State moved up two spots to No. 3 this week, while Albany State remained No. 4. South Carolina State dropped to No 5.
Despite losing to FBS opponent Miami, Bethune-Cookman dropped four spots to No. 6 this week. Winston-Salem State received one first-place vote and is No. 7, while idle Hampton dropped two spots to No. 8. Florida A&M remained at No. 9 and Morehouse debuted this year rounding out the top 10.
As for the coaches’ poll, the Spartans received two first place votes to secure the No. 2 spot, nine points ahead of Jackson State who received a first place vote and is No. 3 this week. Bethune-Cookman is No. 4 and similar to the media poll, South Carolina State fell to No. 5.
Hampton remained at No. 6, while Florida A&M and Alabama A&M moved up two spots to No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. Arkansas-Pine Bluff dropped three spots to No. 9 and Prairie View A&M re-enters this week’s poll at No. 10.
Key games this week include a pair of homecoming games as Jackson State will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff, while Virginia Union hosts Elizabeth City State with first place on the line in the CIAA Northern Division.
Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian will also appear on this week’s FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW radio show.
FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW (Boxtorow) is a nationally syndicated sports talk radio show which places major emphasis on HBCU Sports. The voters in the media poll are comprised of some of the top media members in the country who cover HBCU football. The coaches’ poll is voted on by the FCS HBCU coaches. The media poll is in its fifth year and the coaches’ poll is in its third.
