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HBCU football rankings after Week 7: Jackson State remains on top

j.t. keith, mississippi clarion ledger
·4 min read
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Jackson State cornerback Travis Hunter (12) lines up during the first half of the Orange Blossom Classic NCAA college football game against Florida A&M, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Here’s how the USA TODAY Network ranked all 21 HBCU football teams in Division I FCS after Week 7 of the season, along with a summary of how each team fared.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

1. Jackson State (6-0)

Nationally ranked No. 6 in the FCS coaches' poll, Jackson State looks to have no holes. Solid in every phase of the game. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw five TD passes to defeat Bethune-Cookman 48-8 last weekend. JSU faces a stiff test when the Campbell Camels invade Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

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

2. North Carolina Central (5-1)

The Eagles beat Morgan State 59-20. Quarterback Davius Richard threw for a career-high six TDs. They face South Carolina State on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

3. Florida A&M (5-2)

After starting the season 0-2, the Rattlers have won five consecutive games, beating a tenacious Grambling team 20-16. They have an open date this week.

Last week’s ranking: No. 4

4. Southern (4-2)

One of the hottest teams in HBCU, Southern won a grinder against Alcorn State 21-17. Southern plays at Virginia-Lynchburg on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 6

5. Alcorn State (3-3)

The Braves started slowly against Southern, allowing 21 points. Their defense stiffened before losing to Southern 21-17. They welcome Texas Southern on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

6. North Carolina A&T (3-3)

After losing their first three games of the season, A&T has won its last three games after beating Edward Waters 45-7. North Carolina A&T will travel to Robert Morris on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 5

7. Hampton (4-2)

Hampton came out with a 38-37 overtime victory over Albany on Saturday. Hampton hosts Richmond on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 7

8. Prairie View (3-3)

With an off week, Prairie View travels to play a winless Lamar team on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 8

9. South Carolina State (2-4)

South Carolina State beat Virginia-Lynchburg 36-0 on Saturday. North Carolina Central comes calling on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 9

10. Alabama State (4-3)

After playing Jackson State tough the week before, losing 26-12, Alabama State beat Mississippi Valley State 24-9. The win places them above .500 ahead of an open date.

Last week’s ranking: No. 10

11. Delaware State (4-2)

Delaware State defeated Norfolk State 28-7. State travels to Howard on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 15

12. Tennessee State (3-4)

The Tigers have won two straight after a 30-14 victory over Tennessee Tech. Eastern Illinois comes calling on Saturday, and the Tigers have a chance to move to .500 on the season.

Last week’s ranking: No. 12

13. Alabama A&M (3-4)

This team has won three consecutive games, after beating Arkansas Pine Bluff 34-31 in the River City HBCU Football Classic. A&M will have an open date this week.

Last week’s ranking: No. 11

14. Texas Southern (3-4)

After enjoying an open date, TSU travels to Alcorn State.

Last week’s ranking: No. 13

15. Morgan State (2-4)

Morgan State lost to NC Central 59-20 on Thursday. Morgan State will travel to Delaware on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No.14

16. Grambling (1-6)

The G-men had a chance to win at the end against Florida A&M, before losing 20-16. GSU is off this week.

Last week’s ranking: No. 16

17. Bethune-Cookman (1-5)

The Wildcats played hard and kept Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders from throwing over 300 yards, but Sanders did throw five TDs. The Wildcats travel to a winless Mississippi Valley State team on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 17

18. Howard (1-5)

Howard suffered a 41-25 defeat to Harvard on Saturday. Delaware State comes calling at home on Saturday.

Last week’s ranking: No. 18

19. Norfolk State (1-6)

Norfolk State lost to Delaware State 28-7, they have an open date this week.

Last week’s ranking: No. 19

20. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-5)

The Golden Lions lost a close game to Alabama A&M 34-31 in the River City HBCU Football Classic. With an open date, rest will help.

Last week’s ranking: No. 20

21. Mississippi Valley State (0-7)

Mississippi Valley State is so close to winning but dropped another close game to Alabama State 24-9 on Saturday. Bethune-Cookman will visit on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: No. 21

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: HBCU football rankings after Week 7: Jackson State remains on top