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The key game in Opening Week of HBCU football saw North Carolina Central defeat Alcorn State 23-14 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta on Saturday. With the win, the Eagles moved into both the BOXTOROW Coaches and Media Polls. NCCU is No. 7 with the coaches and No. 9 with the Media. Alcorn State dropped to No. 9 with the coaches and dropped out of the media poll after being ranked No. 6 in the preseason.
Alabama A&M remains No. 1 in both polls, garnering 10 first place votes with the coaches and 10 with the media. Big matches permeate Week 1 of the schedule including new SWAC member Florida A&M taking on Jackson State in Miami Gardens Fla. on Sunday.
The BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches and media polls are administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW. The coaches poll, in its 12th year is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches and the media poll, in its 14th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
2021 BOXTOROW HBCU Football Coaches Poll
Opening Week
(Records through August 28, 2021)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Preseason Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama A&M (10) | 0-0 | 142 | 1 |
| 2 | North Carolina A&T (2) | 0-0 | 135 | 2 |
| 3 | Florida A&M | 0-0 | 109 | 3 |
| 4 | South Carolina State | 0-0 | 87 | T-4 |
| 5 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1) | 0-0 | 74 | 6 |
| 6 | Southern (1) | 0-0 | 67 | 7 |
| 7 | North Carolina Central | 1-0 | 55 | NR |
| 8 | Jackson State | 0-0 | 52 | 8 |
| 9 | Alcorn State | 0-1 | 37 | T-4 |
| 10 | Prairie View A&M | 0-0 | 25 | 9 |
Others receiving votes: Norfolk State (0-0) 15, Bethune-Cookman (0-0) 12, Alabama State (0-0) 10, Delaware State 0-0) 3, Howard (0-0) 2.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
2021 BOXTOROW HBCU Football Media Poll
Opening Week
(Records through August 28, 2021)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Preseason Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama A&M (10) | 0-0 | 144 | 1 |
| 2 | North Carolina A&T (4) | 0-0 | 127 | 2 |
| 3 | Florida A&M (1) | 0-0 | 103 | 3 |
| 4 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 0-0 | 78 | 4 |
| 5 | Southern | 0-0 | 73 | 5 |
| 6 | South Carolina State | 0-0 | 63 | 7 |
| 7 | Jackson State | 0-0 | 52 | 8 |
| 8 | Bowie State | 0-0 | 41 | 9 |
| 9 | North Carolina Central | 0-0 | 39 | NR |
| 10 | Prairie View A&M | 0-0 | 27 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: Norfolk State (0-0) 15, Bethune-Cookman (0-0) 12, Alabama State (0-0) 10, Delaware State 0-0) 3, Howard (0-0) 2.
(1st place votes in parentheses)