HBCU Top-25: Tennessee State Still On Top

Tennessee State football 2012

By Donal Ware

HBCU Columnist

College Sports Journal

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Tennessee State Tigers again showed why they are the top team in HBCU football.

 

With their 40-13 victory over last week’s No. 5 Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Nashville on Saturday, the Tigers keep the top spot in both the Boxtorow national media and coaches polls.

 

The Tigers received 19 of 21 first place votes from the media and were once again a unanimous selection of the coaches.

 

 

 

In the coaches’ poll, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs who are also undefeated remained at No. 2 this week after defeating Grambling State 38-17 on Saturday.

 

Bethune-Cookman and Howard remained at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively after big wins this past Saturday. Arkansas-Pine Bluff dropped to No. 6.

 

With Morgan State’s 21-18 victory over North Carolina A&T, the Bears reentered the top 10 at No. 8, tied with the Aggies, who fell two spots from No. 6 last week.

 

In the media poll, the top four spots – Tennessee State, Alabama A&M, last year’s champion Winston-Salem State, and Bethune-Cookman – remained the same. Howard, Alabama State and defending SIAC champion Miles each moved up two spots from last week and are Nos. 5, 6, and 7 this week.

 

UAPB dropped to No. 8, one point behind Miles.

 

The Tuskegee Golden Tigers moved into the poll for the first time in two years at No.10, while the defending MEAC champion Norfolk State Spartans dropped out of the poll.

 

The Boxtorow HBCU FCS coaches’ and media polls are administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW. The coaches’ poll is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches and the media poll is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.

 

2012 Boxtorow HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll

Week 5

(Records through September 29)

 

Rank        School W-L Pts. LW

1. Tennessee State (19) 5-0 208 1

2. Alabama A&M (1)        5-0 187 2

3. Winston-Salem State (1)* 5-0 156 3

4. Bethune-Cookman 3-2 141 4

5. Howard        3-1 106 7

6. Alabama State 3-2 90 8

7. Miles 4-1 68 9

8. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-2 67 5

9. South Carolina State 2-3 54 10

10. Tuskegee        3-1 30 NR

 

Other receiving votes: Norfolk State (2-3) 19, Fort Valley State (3-2) 6,

Saint Augustine’s (3-2) 5, Southern (2-2) 5, Jackson State (2-3) 4, Bowie

State (3-2) 3, North Carolina Central (2-2) 3, Morgan State (2-2) 3.

 

 

 

2012 Boxtorow FCS HBCU Football Coaches Poll

Week 5

(Records through September 29)

 

Rank        School W-L Pts. Previous Week

1. Tennessee State (13) 5-0 130 1

2. Alabama A&M            5-0 115 2

3. Bethune-Cookman   3-2 103 3

4. Howard        3-1 91 4

5. Alabama State        3-2 69 8

6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-2 53 5

7. South Carolina State 2-3 40 10

T-8 Morgan State 2-2 27 NR

T-8 North Carolina A&T 2-2 27 6

10.        Norfolk State**       2-3 20 7

 

 

Others receiving votes: Southern (2-2) 17, North Carolina Central (2-2) 8,

Jackson State (2-3) 7, Florida A&M (2-3) 5.

 

*Defending HBCU National Champion (Media)

** Defending HBCU National Champion (Coaches)

 

Editor's Note: Donal Ware is one of the leading voices in Historically Black College and University football. His Boxtorow.com website, popular articles for such publications as Jet magazine and regular radio shows for such networks as Sirius/XM have given him a high profile in the college and professional sports world. You can read more of his material at Boxtorow.com