HBCU’s new No.1 FAMU.
boxtorow.com
North Carolina Central’s loss to Howard catapulted the Florida A&M Rattlers into the No. 1 spot in HBCU football with the release of the HBCU Coaches and Media Polls on Monday. FAMU was last No. 1 back in October.
The Rattlers received all of the first place votes in the coaches poll. NCCU dropped to No. 2, while HU moved up four spots from last week to No. 5. Morgan State, who has won three-straight games, reentered the poll at No. 10
In the media poll, FAMU received all but two first place votes, with both those votes going to No. 2 Benedict who defeated Albany State in the SIAC championship game and remains undefeated on the season. The Eagles dropped to No. 3, while Howard reentered the poll tied for No. 8.
A few games Saturday will have implications on next week’s poll and the HBCU national championship moving forward. Howard will host Morgan State. A win by the Bison means the MEAC championship for the Bison. A win by the Bears, coupled with an NCCU loss to Delaware State gives MSU the MEAC championship. A win by NCCU and a loss by Howard give the Eagles their second-straight MEAC title.
As for the SWAC Western Division title, a win by Prairie View A&M over Alabama State gives the Panthers the title. Alcorn would be the champs with a win over Jackson State and a loss by PV. Grambling would get the title with PV and Alcorn losses, and a victory on November 25 over Southern in the Bayou Classic. If Prairie View A&M, Alcorn, and Grambling lose, then PV would be champions.
The HBCU FCS coaches and HBCU media polls are administered by BOXTOROW. The coaches poll, in its 15th year is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches and the media poll, in its 17th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
2023 BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
Week 11
(Records through November 12, 2023)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M (18) | 9-1 | 180 | 2 |
| 2 | North Carolina Central | 8-2 | 146 | 1 |
| 3 | Jackson State | 7-3 | 131 | 3 |
| 4 | Alabama State | 6-3 | 111 | 6 |
| 5 | Howard | 5-5 | 105 | 9 |
| 6 | Alcorn State | 6-4 | 91 | 3 |
| 7 | Tennessee State | 6-4 | 79 | 5 |
| 8 | Prairie View A&M | 5-5 | 57 | 10 |
| 9 | Hampton | 5-5 | 27 | 7 |
| 10 | Morgan State | 4-5 | 22 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Grambling (5-5) 16, Southern (5-5) 16, South Carolina State (4-6) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
Others receiving votes: Grambling (5-5) 16, Southern (5-5) 16, South Carolina State (4-6) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
2023 HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll
Week 11
(Records through November 12, 2023)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M (18) | 9-1 | 198 | 2 |
| 2 | Benedict (2) | 11-0 | 169 | 3 |
| 3 | North Carolina Central | 8-2 | 147 | 1 |
| 4 | Virginia Union | 10-1 | 139 | 4 |
| 5 | Jackson State | 7-3 | 123 | 5 |
| 6 | Alabama State | 6-3 | 87 | 9 |
| 7 | Virginia State | 8-2 | 44 | 10 |
| T-8 | Howard | 5-5 | 33 | NR |
| T-8 | Fayetteville State | 8-3 | 33 | 7 |
| 10 | Tennessee State | 6-4 | 32 | 8 |
Others receiving votes: Prairie View A&M (5-5) 27, Alcorn State (6-4) 22, Tuskegee (7-3) 9, Grambling (5-5) 7, Johnson C. Smith (7-3) 7, Edward Waters (6-4) 5, Miles (7-3) 5, Hampton (5-5) 4, Langston (6-4) 3, Morgan State (4-5) 2, Fort Valley State (7-3) 2.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
HBCU’s new No.1 FAMU.