HBCU football rankings after Week 6: Jackson State remains on top of the mountain
Here’s how USA TODAY Network ranked all 21 HBCU football teams in Division I FCS after Week 6 of the season, along with a summary of how each team fared.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
1. Jackson State (5-0)
The eighth-ranked Jackson State Tigers battled Alabama State the entire game before winning 26-12. The win was coach Deion Sanders’ 20th at Jackson State.
Jackson State will play at EverBank Field on Saturday when it takes on Bethune-Cookman.
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
'IF I AIN'T SWAC, THEN WHO IS SWAC?':What Jackson State's Deion Sanders said about Eddie Robinson Jr. rejecting his postgame hug
HEISMAN HOPEFUL:Deion Sanders says son Shedeur Sanders should be considered for Heisman
2. North Carolina Central (4-1)
The Eagles had an open week after losing to Campbell, 48-18. They host Morgan State on Saturday.
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
3. Alcorn State (3-2)
The Braves showed rest was what the doctor ordered, defeating Mississippi Valley State 30-7. Alcorn State will play at Southern on Saturday.
Last week's ranking: No. 3
4. Florida A&M (4-2)
Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa hit Xavier Smith for a 63-yard touchdown pass as they defeated South Carolina State, 20-14. Florida A&M is on a four-game winning streak.
The Rattlers travel to Grambling on Saturday.
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
5. North Carolina A&T (2-3)
With a week off after defeating Bryant 24-13 on Oct. 1, the Aggies moved to 2-0 at home in Greensboro.
N.C. A&T hosts D-II Edwards Waters.
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
6. Southern (3-2)
Southern coach Eric Dooley won his matchup against his old team Prarie View, 45-13. The Jaguars piled up 462 yards of total offense.
Southern hosts Alcorn State on Saturday.
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
7. Hampton (3-2)
The Pirates have dropped their last two games, losing to Delaware and Maine. Hampton is winless in the Colonial Athletic Association.
The Pirates face Albany on the road Saturday.
Last week’s ranking: No. 8
8. Prairie View A&M (3-3)
A&M's defense dominated Grambling, but Prairie View gave up 462 yards to Southern, losing 45-13.
Prairie View has an open date.
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
9. South Carolina State (1-4)
The defending Celebration Bowl champs have fallen on hard times, losing to Florida A&M, 20-14. The Bulldogs host winless Virginia Lynchburg (0-6).
Last week’s ranking: No. 7
10. Alabama State (3-3)
Alabama State held the high-flying Jackson State offense to 26 points, losing 26-12.
Alabama State tries to go above .500 when it hosts Mississippi Valley State.
Last week’s ranking: No. 10
'HE AIN'T SWAC, I'M SWAC:' Why Eddie Robinson Jr., citing disrespect, didn't hug Deion Sanders after Jackson State-ASU game
11. Alabama A&M (2-4)
Alabama A&M won in double overtime against Grambling, 37-31. Donovan Egglin rushed for 126 yards and two TDs.
The Bulldogs play Sunday, Oct. 16 ,in St. Louis at the River City HBCU Football Classic against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Last week’s ranking: No. 11
12. Tennessee State (1-4)
The return of quarterback Draylen Ellis from an ankle injury was more than enough to propel the Tigers to a 41-17 win over Bethune-Cookman.
Tennessee State faces Tennessee Tech on the road.
Last week’s ranking: No. 12
FIRST WIN:Finally a winner, Eddie George unpacks Tennessee State football's emotional storm during 0-4 start
13. Texas Southern (2-4)
Texas Southern’s defense was stout, holding Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 212 yards total offense, keeping the Golden Lions winless on the season.
TSU has an open date this week.
Last week’s ranking: No. 13
14.Morgan State (2-3)
Norfolk State quarterback Otto Kuhns’ touchdown pass to Da’Quan Felton in the final seconds gave it a 24-21 win over Morgan State.
Morgan State takes on North Carolina Central on Thursday (7:30 p.m., ESPN2).
Last week’s ranking: No. 14
15. Delaware State (3-2)
Delaware State is coming off an open date. It travels to Norfolk State.
Last week’s ranking: No. 15
16. Grambling State (1-5)
Grambling State started freshman quarterback Julian Calvez and the Tigers lost in triple overtime to Alabama A&M.
The Tigers are at home against Florida A&M.
Last week's ranking: No. 16
SEARCHING FOR MORE:Hue Jackson, Grambling State football finding progress but not enough as home opener looms
17. Bethune-Cookman (1-4)
Bethune-Cookman lost a physical game against Tennessee State, 41-17. The Wildcats must devise a plan to stop Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders on Saturday.
Last week’s ranking: No. 17
18. Howard (1-4)
The Bison have a home game against Harvard. With six games left, they have an opportunity to post a winning record.
Last week’s ranking: No. 18
19. Norfolk State (1-5)
Da’Quan Felton caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Jaylan Adams with five seconds to play to give Norfolk State its first win. It hosts Delaware State.
Last week: No. 20
20. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-4)
The Golden Lions are still searching for their first SWAC win. They host Alabama A&M on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Last week’s ranking: No. 19
21.Mississippi Valley State (0-6)
Alcorn State’s Jarveon Howard rushed for three touchdowns as the Braves cruised past Mississippi Valley State, 30-7. The Delta Devils travel to Alabama State on Saturday.
Last week: No. 21
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: HBCU football power rankings Week 6: Jackson State, Deion Sanders No. 1
