A new team joins the top five after an exciting week of HBCU football. See all of the changes in the HBCU football power rankings below.
These are the third rankings of the regular season. The 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.
See the latest power rankings below.
The Road to Atlanta: 2025 Week 4 HBCU football power rankings
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State landed a shutout over Tuskegee to hold on to the top spot.
EVERYTHING HBCU: Schedule, scores, updates and more from the 2025 HBCU football season
2. Alabama State | SWAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 2
Alabama State dominated Miles en route to a 37-9 win.
3. South Carolina State | MEAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 3
South Carolina State's win over Bethune-Cookman wasn't as close as the final score looked, leading by 28 points entering the fourth quarter.
WALTER PAYTON AWARD: 10 early-season Walter Payton Award candidates to watch
4. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 4
Walker Harris threw for 387 yards and three touchdowns, rushing for another score in a blowout win over Fayetteville State.
5. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 10
Alabama A&M joins the top five after a win over Tennessee State. Quarterback Cornelius Brown IV had another big day, passing for 329 yards and two touchdowns.
WHAT TO KNOW: 7 storylines to follow in the 2025 HBCU football season
6. Howard | MEAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 6
Howard dominated Morehouse in the HBCU New York Football Classic. It's a solid performance against a Division II opponent.
7. Southern | SWAC | 1-3 (1-0) | Prev: 7
Southern lost to Fresno State from the FBS. They'll stay in the top 10.
8. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 1-2 (1-0) | Prev: 8
Prairie View A&M fell to local FBS team Rice but an FBS loss won't knock the Panthers from the top 10.
9. Delaware State | MEAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 9
Delaware State's offense again looked the part with a win over Bowie State.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Top 25 nonconference games in the 2025 FCS season
10. Tennessee State | OVC-Big South | 1-2 (0-0)| Prev: 5
Tennessee State drops to No. 10 after a loss to Alabama A&M. TSU's win over North Carolina A&T looks better after Week 3 too.
| RANK | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State |
| 2 | Alabama State |
| 3 | South Carolina State |
| 4 | North Carolina Central |
| 5 | Alabama A&M |
| 6 | Howard |
| 7 | Southern |
| 8 | Prairie View A&M |
| 9 | Delaware State |
| 10 | Tennessee State |
| 11 | North Carolina A&T |
| 12 | Florida A&M |
| 13 | Morgan State |
| 14 | Texas Southern |
| 15 | Hampton |
| 16 | Norfolk State |
| 17 | Grambling State |
| 18 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 19 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 20 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 21 | Alcorn State |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3
11. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 19
North Carolina A&T picked up its first DI win in two years after a double-overtime win over Hampton. With it so early in the season and other HBCUs still in search of a DI win, the Aggies move up to No. 11.
12. Florida A&M | SWAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 15
Florida A&M picked up its first win of the season, defeating Albany State from DII. RJ Johnson played well in the second half, finishing with 272 yards and two touchdowns.
13. Morgan State | MEAC | 0-3 (0-0) | Prev: 11
Morgan State lost to Toledo from the FBS, but drops since it's still winless.
14. Texas Southern | SWAC | 0-3 (0-1) | Prev: 12
Texas Southern fell to 0-3 after a loss to Lamar. The Tigers play Mississippi Valley State next.
15. Hampton | CAA | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 14
Hampton lost in double overtime to North Carolina A&T, dropping the Pirates in the rankings.
UPSETS: 9 potential FCS over FBS upsets for the 2025 college football season | Every 2025 FCS vs FBS game
16. Norfolk State | MEAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 16
Norfolk State lost to Rutgers from the FBS, staying put at No. 16.
17. Grambling State | SWAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 13
Grambling State needed overtime to beat a Division II opponent. Yes it's a win, but its unimpressive nature drops Grambling in the rankings.
MORE RANKINGS: AFCA Coaches Poll | STATS PERFORM
18. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 18
Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Lincoln for its first win, but it's not a Division I win so it won't hold much weight.
19. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-3 (0-1) | Prev: 17
Mississippi Valley State lost to Southeastern Louisiana.
20. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 0-3 (0-0) | Prev: 20
Bethune-Cookman scored 28 fourth-quarter points to make the final score looked respectable against South Carolina State, but it was still a bad loss.
21. Alcorn State | SWAC | 0-3 (0-0) | Prev: 21
Alcorn State remains winless after a loss to Mississippi State.
🏈: Recapping the 2024 HBCU football season
📲 B/R: Follow HBCU sports on Bleacher Report
📚 Football History: Top MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments | Individual stars | Recapping 2023 | Recapping 2022 | Recapping 2021
🏆 Championships: Jackson State wins 2024 Celebration Bowl | Tennessee State, NC Central win tennis title | Football title history | Track champions
🏟 Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
🏀 HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
👀 March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
