HBCU football started 2026 with a bang as all but one FCS team was in action during Week 0. We saw fourth quarter heroics, dominant blowouts and more during the season’s opening week. It all led to a pair of new top-five teams and other changes throughout the first regular season HBCU football power rankings from NCAA Digital’s Stan Becton.
These are the second rankings of the season. As a voter selected for the inaugural Black College Football Poll, these rankings are a reflection of and provide transparency to my ballot. The power rankings will be done weekly throughout the regular season, sorting each HBCU football team at the FCS level based on their performances this season. Nicknamed “The Road to Atlanta,” the weekly power rankings lead to the annual meeting of HBCU football’s two best teams at this year’s Celebration Bowl held in Atlanta, GA.
See my Week 1 power rankings below.
The Road to Atlanta: 2026 preseason HBCU football power rankings
1. Alabama State (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 1
Alabama State holds on to the top spot after defeating Southern in the Birmingham Football Classic. It was a slow start for the Hornets, but they finished with 20 unanswered points and a shutout in the second half. It was a good response from a team expected to compete at the top of the sport. Since the win came against a DI opponent, it’s enough to hold on to the top spot.
2. South Carolina State (MEAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 3
If a team considers itself among the upper echelon of FCS teams, it should dominate Division II opponents. Dominate is a word that might sell short what South Carolina State did in an 87-0 win over Savannah State. The Bulldogs had 627 total yards while setting a school record for points scored in a game after leading 52-0 at halftime. The most impressive part of the win is the 423 rushing yards, showing the physicality of this year’s SC State team.
3. Delaware State (MEAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 6
Delaware State led Stony Brook by as many as 18 points before scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 1:53 remaining. The Hornets leaned on its rushing attack, which looks to be potent yet again under head coach DeSean Jackson after gaining 255 yards and four touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry. DSU’s win over a CAA opponent launches them into the top three.
4. Jackson State (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 2
Yes, Jackson State won its game over Tennessee State on the road. However, it dropped two spots because I think all of the teams in front of the Tigers played better in their limited season-opening sample sizes. That’s not to say Jackson State played poorly. The stout JSU defense allowed less than 100 yards rushing in the win. Yet, in a game that game down to a blocked field goal, the Tigers were inches from a disappointing start.
5. Texas Southern (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 7
Texas Southern enters the top five after a 28-6 run in the second half to defeat North Carolina Central, 42-30. The Tigers saw long-time HBCU quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy throw for three touchdowns on just eight passes, while running back Athean Renfro picked up where he left off to the tune of 163 rushing yards and a score. TSU will have to cut down on its 12 penalties, but a win over NC Central to open the season is a statement one.
6. Prairie View A&M (SWAC) | Record: 0-1 | LW: 4
Prairie View A&M falls from the top five after losing to an FCS championship contender on the road at Tarleton State. The Panthers stayed close in the first half, but a slow start to the third quarter proved too much for PVAMU to overcome. One positive for the Panthers was Tevin Carter’s 309 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. Prairie View’s loss currently stands as a quality loss so they stay in the top 10.
7. Howard (MEAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 13
Howard had an offseason quarterback battle and it looks like they made the right decision after Ja’Shawn Scroggins’ big day in a MEAC/SWAC Challenge win. The Bison signal-caller only completed 52 percent of his passes, but he threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 49 yards. Scroggins showed great command of the offense, often confusing the opposing linebackers on play action or rpo plays. It was a great start to the Ted White era in Washington D.C.
8. Grambling State (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 5
Grambling State beat Clark Atlanta 49-7 behind a defense that dominated on third down. The Tigers limited the Panthers to just 1-of-13 third down conversions in the win. The offense did its part too with 487 total yards.
9. Alcorn State (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 8
Have a day Jaylon Tolbert! The Alcorn State quarterback went 25-of-28 passing for 265 yards and five touchdowns, adding another on the ground. Tolbert launched himself in to SWAC Player of the Week conversations. The Braves have found their guy after Week 0.
10. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC) | Record: 0-0 | LW: 11
Bethune-Cookman was the only HBCU to not play in Week 0 and, to its benefit, moves into the top 10 after other teams lost.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama State |
| 2 | South Carolina State |
| 3 | Delaware State |
| 4 | Jackson State |
| 5 | Texas Southern |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M |
| 7 | Howard |
| 8 | Grambling State |
| 9 | Alcorn State |
| 10 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 11 | North Carolina Central |
| 12 | Morgan State |
| 13 | Florida A&M |
| 14 | Norfolk State |
| 15 | Alabama A&M |
| 16 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 17 | Tennessee State |
| 18 | Southern |
| 19 | Hampton |
| 20 | North Carolina A&T |
11. North Carolina Central (MEAC) | Record: 0-1Â | LW: 9
North Carolina Central lost to a team that completed only eight passes. A traditionally good NCCU offensive line allowed three sacks and the defensive line allowed 7.7 yards per carry. The Eagles even allowed a punt return touchdown in the second half after leading by as many as 14 points. It was a rough start to the season for NC Central, but there are some building blocks from the first half.
12. Morgan State (MEAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 14
Morgan State scored 14 fourth-quarter points to defeat former MEAC rival North Carolina A&T on the road. The Morgan State defense maintained its status as one of the better defense in HBCU football with less than 100 rushing yards allowed. Â Transfer quarterback Cameron Edge wasn’t spectacular, but he did throw a 68-yard touchdown. Yet, Edge’s performance is enough to bring optimism to the position and the Bears as a whole after one week.
13. Florida A&M (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 12
Florida A&M led 20-0 in the fourth quarter before Albany State scored a late touchdown to get on the board. It was a good season-opening win for head coach Quinn Gray against his former school, but I would’ve like to see the offense find the endzone a few more times against a Division II opponent.
14. Norfolk State (MEAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 20
Norfolk State didn’t need overtime to beat a Division II opponent in the second year of head coach Michael Vick at the helm. Instead, the Spartans dominated Winston-Salem State 56-0, allowing just 18 rushing yards. That’s the type of performance that shows some development of the program.
15. Alabama A&M (SWAC) | Record: 0-1 | LW: 10
Alabama A&M fought hard against Howard before ultimately losing the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Quarterback Quad Brown made his return for the Bulldogs, and he looked good, making plays even when facing pressure from the Howard defense. It’s the AAMU defense that’ll have to step up after an early-season blunder that saw it allow over 300 yards in the air. I still think the Bulldogs can contend in the SWAC East, but a non-conference win to open the season would’ve been a good boost.
16. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 15
Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Morehouse, but the Golden Lions were in a one-possession game with a DII team entering halftime. While UAPB pulled away in the third quarter, the first half bring questions
17. Tennessee State (OVC) | Record: 0-1 | LW: 17
If you needed to be proven that special teams matter, then all you have to do is look at the Tennessee State game. The Tigers were a field goal away from defeating Jackson State, but it was blocked. That’s the difference between rising up the rankings and staying put.
18. Southern (SWAC) | Record: 0-1 | LW: 16
Southern started strong in the Marshall Faulk era, but couldn’t finish against Alabama State. Luckily for Faulk, the game against a SWAC opponent won’t count as a conference game so the Jaguars can use it as a learning experience.
19. Hampton (CAA) | Record: 1-0 | LW: 21
Hampton won, so the Pirates aren’t in the last spot. But a win over Virginia-Lynchburg holds little weight.
20. North Carolina A&T (CAA) | Record: 0-1| LW: 19
North Carolina A&T ended Week 0 with three straight scoreless quarters in a loss to Morgan State. The Aggies have just two HBCU opponents remaining on the schedule.
21. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC) | Record: 0-1 | LW: 18
Mississippi Valley State falls to the bottom spot after trailing Nicholls by as many as 44 points in Week 0.
Stan Becton joined NCAA.com in 2021 and has since served as a college football, FCS football, track and field, cross country and HBCU beat reporter. He has covered numerous NCAA championship events, including the FCS Championship, DI Track & Field Championships and Men’s Frozen Four. Additionally, he has covered the College Football Playoff and HBCU sporting events like the Celebration Bowl, MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Legacy Classic. Stan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, earning a degree in Professional Writing and playing football as a five-year letterman.
