Winston-Salem State Stays, Tennessee State Regains Top Spot In HBCU Poll
By Donal Ware
HBCU Columnist
College Sports Journal
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — The defending national champion Winston-Salem State Rams remained No. 1 in the Boxtorow national media poll, while the Tennessee State Tigers regained the top spot in the coaches’ poll.
The Tigers received 11 of 17 first place votes from the coaches. The Tigers defeated fellow Ohio Vally Conference member Tennessee Tech 22-21.
Despite defeating North Carolina Central 42-17, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats fell from the top spot to No. 2 this week and received the other six first place votes.
The Alabama State Hornets made the most significant jump, moving from the No. 8 spot to No. 4 this week after its 31-13 victory over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in the Magic City Classic.
The Bulldogs dropped two spots to No. 6.
The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions remained No. 3 this week while Delaware State, Jackson State, and South Carolina State all moved up one spot.
NCCU fell two spots to No. 7.
In the media poll the Rams received 11 of 18 first place votes. Tennessee State retains its No. 2 spot and received six first place votes, while the Wildcats also maintained its No. 3 position and received the other first place vote.
The Hornets also made a significant leap in the media poll moving from the No. 10 spot last week to No. 6.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Miles, and Tuskegee all moved up from last week.
Fort Valley State debuts at No. 10 this week.
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 9
(Records through October 27)
Rank School W-L Pts. LW
1. Winston-Salem State (11)* 9-0 161 1
2. Tennessee State (6) 8-1 157 2
3. Bethune-Cookman (1) 6-2 147 3
4. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6-2 113 5
5. Miles 8-1 88 7
6. Alabama State 5-3 75 10
7. Tuskegee 7-1 70 8
8. Alabama A&M 6-2 68 4
9. North Carolina Central 5-3 40 6
10. Fort Valley State 7-2 20 NR
Other receiving votes: Delaware State (5-3) 18, South Carolina State (4-5) 8, Howard (5-3) 7, Jackson State (4-4) 5, Elizabeth City State (6-3) 2, Albany State (6-3) 1.
2012 Boxtorow FCS HBCU Football Coaches Poll
Week 9
(Records through October 27)
Rank School W-L Pts. Previous Week
1. Tennessee State (11) 8-1 164 2
2. Bethune-Cookman (6) 6-2 158 1
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6-2 134 3
4. Alabama State 5-3 106 8
5. Delaware State 5-3 100 6
6. Alabama A&M 6-2 75 4
7. North Carolina Central 5-3 72 5
8. Jackson State 4-4 49 9
9. South Carolina State 4-5 35 10
10. Howard 5-3 28 7
Others receiving votes: North Carolina A&T (4-4) 11, Florida A&M (3-5) 3.
*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
