Tennessee State Remains Undefeated, No. 1 In HBCU Football
By Donal Ware
HBCU Columnist
College Sports Journal
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — The Tennessee State Tigers did it again.
After a tough 40-28 victory on the road against Southeast Missouri, the Tigers retain the top spot in both the Boxtorow national media and coaches’ polls.
The Tigers remain undefeated and are now 3-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Tigers received 19 of 20 first place votes from the media and for the fourth-straight week were a unanimous selection of the coaches.
In the coaches’ poll, there were some changes amongst the top five as previously unbeaten Alabama A&M fell to Alcorn State 21-20 and last week’s No. 4 Howard fell to North Carolina A&T 38-10.
AAMU fell two spot to No. 4 this week, while the Bison fell three spots to No. 7.
The North Carolina Central Eagles have won three-straight games and moved up three spots to No. 5 this week after their 24-20 victory over the Morgan State Bears, who dropped out of the poll.
The Delaware State Hornets also moved up three spots to No. 6 after defeating South Carolina State 31-17 on Saturday.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff moved up two spots to No. 3, while Bethune-Cookman (No. 2) and North Carolina A&T (No. 9) each moved up one spot. Florida A&M reenters the poll at No. 10.
Saturday’s losses also affected the media poll as defending champion Winston-Salem State, Bethune-Cookman, and Miles each moved up on spot to No. 2, No. 3, and No. 8, respectively.
UAPB and Miles each moved up two spots to No. 5 and No. 6. Howard fell four spots to No. 9, while Alabama State with its 37-34 loss to Jackson State also fell four spots to No. 10.
After entering the poll for the first time ever, the Eagles made the most significant leap, from No. 10 last week to No. 7.
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 7
(Records through October 13)
Rank School W-L Pts. Previous Week
1. Tennessee State (19) 7-0 199 1
2. Winston-Salem State (1)* 7-0 167 3
3. Bethune-Cookman 4-2 150 4
4. Alabama A&M 6-1 133 2
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4-2 97 7
6. Miles 6-1 86 8
7. North Carolina Central 4-2 67 10
8. Tuskegee 5-1 69 9
9. Howard 4-2 50 5
10. Alabama State 4-3 46 6
Other receiving votes: Fort Valley State (5-2) 8, Jackson State (3-4) 7,
North Carolina A&T (3-3) 7, Delaware State (3-3) 6, Saint Augustine’s
(4-3) 3, Morgan State (3-3) 2, Shaw (4-3) 2, Florida A&M (3-4) 1.
2012 Boxtorow FCS HBCU Football Coaches Poll
Week 7
(Records through October 13)
Rank School W-L Pts. Previous Week
1. Tennessee State (15) 7-0 150 1
2. Bethune-Cookman 4-2 132 3
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4-2 115 5
4. Alabama A&M 6-1 98 2
5. North Carolina Central 4-2 89 8
6. Delaware State 3-3 56 9
7. Howard 4-2 51 4
8. Alabama State 4-3 43 6
9. North Carolina A&T 3-3 41 10
10. Florida A&M 3-4 19 NR
Others receiving votes: Morgan State (3-3) 17, Southern (3-3) 5, Alcorn
State (3-4) 2, Jackson State (3-4) 2.
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
