BOXTOROW Preseason Media Poll.
boxtorow.com
The North Carolina Central Eagles will be the targets of the rest of HBCU football as NCCU has been picked to defend its HBCU national championship crown with the release of the preseason BOXTOROW HBCU Football Media Poll. NCCU received all but three first place votes which went to Florida A&M, who was picked to finish second.
Jackson State will start the season at No. 3, followed by defending SIAC champion Benedict at No. 4. Southern and North Carolina A&T are tied for the No. 5 spot. Howard and Prairie View A&M, and Alabama State all of whom did not place in last year’s final poll, are No. 7 and No, 9, and tied for 10th, respectively to start the season.
The BOXTOROW HBCU Media Poll is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW and in its 17th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
2023 BOXTOROW Preseason HBCU Football Media Poll
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina Central (16) | 10-2 | 187 | 1 |
| 2 | Florida A&M (3) | 9-2 | 161 | 3 |
| 3 | Jackson State | 12-1 | 146 | 2 |
| 4 | Benedict | 11-1 | 105 | 4 |
| T-5 | Southern | 7-5 | 85 | 7 |
| T-5 | North Carolina A&T | 7-4 | 85 | 6 |
| 7 | Howard | 5-6 | 56 | NR |
| 8 | Virginia Union | 9-2 | 52 | 5 |
| 9 | Prairie View A&M | 6-5 | 35 | NR |
| T-10 | Fayetteville State | 9-3 | 31 | 9 |
| T-10 Alabama State | 6-5 | 31 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Fort Valley State (8-2) 20, Tuskegee (8-3) 14, South Carolina State (3-8) 10, Albany State (7-3) 7, Alcorn State (5-6) 7, Texas Southern (5-6) 5, Alabama A&M (4-7) 4, Morgan State (4-7) 1, Bowie State (6-4) 1, Grambling (3-8) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)