HBCU Poll: WSSU, Bethune-Cookman Clinch Titles, Remain No. 1
By Donal Ware
HBCU Columnist
College Sports Journal
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — After their second-straight CIAA championship game victory 34-19 over Elizabeth City State, the Winston-Salem State Rams remain No. 1 in the Boxtorow national media poll.
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats clinched the MEAC championship with a 49-7 victory over Savannah State and remain atop the coaches’ poll. The Wildcats received 14 of 17 first place votes.
In the coaches poll, their was no change with the top four teams as Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama State, both winners on Saturday, remained No. 2 and No. 4, respectively.
The Tennessee State Tigers who had the week off received the other three first place votes and remain No. 3 this week.
Jackson State and Delaware State also both winners moved up two spots to No. 5 and No. 6.
Conversely, Alabama A&M and North Carolina Central dropped two spots to No. 7 and No. 8 after losses.
North Carolina A&T moved back into the poll at No. 9.
In the media poll the top seven spots remained the same as the Rams received 15 of 21 first place votes. No. 2 Bethune-Cookman received five first place votes and No. 4 Tennessee State received the other first place vote.
No. 5 Tuskegee defeated Fort Valley State 55-24 in the SIAC championship game in Atlanta and knocked the Wildcats out of the poll.
Jackson State, winner of four-straight including 35-21 over Alabama A&M, reenters the poll tied for No. 9 with North Carolina Central after a month hiatus.
The NCAA Division II national playoff begin Saturday as the Rams were awarded the top seed in Super Region I, and will receive a first-round bye. Miles will play at West Alabama, while Fort Valley State will play at Lenoir-Rhyne.
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 11
(Records through November 10)
Rank School W-L Pts. LW
1. Winston-Salem State (15)* 11-0 198 1
2. Bethune-Cookman (5) 8-2 192 2
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 8-2 160 3
4. Tennessee State (1) 8-2 158 4
5. Tuskegee 9-1 123 5
6. Alabama State 7-3 96 6
T-7 Alabama A&M 7-3 47 7
T-7 Miles 8-2 47 9
T-9 North Carolina Central 6-4 38 8
T-9 Jackson State 6-4 38 NR
Other receiving votes: Delaware State (6-4) 23, Howard (6-4) 14, Fort
Valley State (8-3) 13, Elizabeth City State (7-4) 3, North Carolina A&T
(6-4) 3.
2012 Boxtorow FCS HBCU Football Coaches Poll
Week 11
(Records through November 10)
Rank School W-L Pts. LW
1. Bethune-Cookman (14) 8-2 167 1
2. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 8-2 147 2
3. Tennessee State (3) 8-2 143 3
4. Alabama State 7-3 118 4
5. Jackson State 6-4 91 7
6. Delaware State 6-4 72 8
7. Alabama A&M 7-3 63 5
8. North Carolina Central 6-4 50 6
9. North Carolina A&T 6-4 39 NR
10. Howard 6-4 30 9
Others receiving votes: Mississippi Valley State (4-6) 7, South Carolina
State (4-6) 4, Florida A&M (4-6) 2, Norfolk State (4-7) 1.
*Defending HBCU National Champion (Media)
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
