By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
In HBCU football news through September 20/week 3, the highest ranking FCS team is Jackson State University, #17, having posted a 2-1 record. Receiving votes were North Carolina Central and South Carolina State. Perennial winner North Dokota State is again ranked #1.
In the MEAC Delaware State and Howard sit at the top with identical 3-1 records, followed closely by North Carolina Central and South Carolina State with 3-2 and 2-2 won/loss records respectively. Norfolk State and Morgan State are fifth and sixth with identical 1-3 records. There are presently only six teams in the MEAC. Records in all conferences can be deceiving, based on competition level and/or strength of schedule.
In the SWAC, which is composed of two six team divisions, Alabama A&M leads the East Division with a 3-1 record followed by Alabama State and Jackson State, both 2-1, FAMU, 1-2 and BCU, 1-3. Mississippi Valley sits in last place, still looking for its first victory of the year.
Prairie View, with one division victory, sits in first place at 2-2, followed by Grambling, 3-1, Arkansas Pine Bluff and Southern with 1-2 and 1-3 records respectively, while Alcorn and Texas Southern bring up the rear with 0-3 records.
Following are the top ten HBCUS after week 4:
- Jackson State (2-1)
2.South Carolina State (2-2)
- Alabama State (2-1)
- North Carolina Central (3-2)
- Delaware State (3-1)
- Alabama A&M (3-1)
- Howard (3-1)
- Prairie View A&M (2-2)
- Grambling State (3-1)
- VA Union (2-1)
Examples of strength of schedule are South Carolina State’s loss to Southeastern Conference power the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and Jackson State’s defeat at the hands of Southern Mississippi. With the season entering week 5, there will be ample opportunities for teams in all levels to rise or fall based on their on field performance. The intrigue and excitement continue.
- In other related HBCU news, North Carolina A&T’s head football coach, Shawn Gibbs, released one of players from the team after that young man poured or tossed water on North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver during pre-game activities. Gibbs, effusive in his apology, noted, after NCCU’s convincing 62-20 victory over rival A&T, that a culture shift had to occur with team as he endeavors to revive the storied N.C. A&T program which continues to be a work in progress. . Of note: Gibbs is a NCCU grad who had been named the coach at FAMU after a successful stint at Ft. Valley State University. If you recall, his premature hiring upset alumni and led to the eventual resignation or dismissal of former athletic director Tiffany Dawn-Sykes.
- DeSean Jackson, former NFL star receiver, has led Delaware State to an impressive 3-1 start, continuing a trend of high profile personalities heading HBCU programs like Deion Sanders, formerly at JSU, Eddie Robinson, Alabama State and Michael Vick, who was hired to changed the gridiron fortunes at Norfolk State in Virginia. Winning on any level requires really good players and excellent coaching. I wish them all great success.
- Isn’t it rather strange that MAGA supporting Bruce Pearl chose to resign as Auburn’s head basketball coach, turning the reigns over to his son, Steven. I suppose that Black players are immune to his political ideology or simply don’t care as long as they are financially compensated. Somebody help me to understand better today’s political/athletic alliance that ignores all the harm perpetrated on our people under 47’s administration and the cruelty of project 2025.
