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 5 HBCU football power rankings
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State stays at the top after a bye.
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2. Alabama State | SWAC | 2-1 (0-0) | Prev: 2
Alabama State stays put after a bye.
3. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 3-2 (0-0) | Prev: 4
The dominant fashion in which North Carolina Central defeated North Carolina A&T gives the Eagles a slight bump to No. 3 in the rankings.
4. South Carolina State | MEAC | 2-2 (0-0) | Prev: 3
South Carolina State isn't being penalized for an FBS loss to South Florida; the margin between the Bulldogs and NCCU right now is razor thin. However, I don't do ties so NCCU has the edge for now.
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5. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-1 (0-0) | Prev: 5
Alabama A&M dominated Lane, a DII school, in the exact way it should as a top five team in these rankings.
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6. Howard | MEAC | 3-1 (0-0) | Prev: 6
Howard finally ended its losing streak against rival Hampton. However, this is a Hampton team without a DI win so far this season. Howard's win is nice, but not enough to get the Bison into the top five.
7. Delaware State | MEAC | 3-1 (0-0) | Prev: 9
Delaware State moves up to No. 7 after winning its third straight game. The Hornets blasted Saint Francis to add another non-conference win. The rushing attack continued its dominance gaining 299 yards.
8. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 2-2 (1-0) | Prev: 8
Prairie View A&M moves in front of Southern after winning its second DI game. The Panthers escaped Northwestern State. It's not the most impressive opponent, but a win is a win.
9. Southern | SWAC | 1-3 (1-0) | Prev: 7
Southern had a bye, but drops as it is only 1-3. With Jackson State up next, this week will determine how good this Jaguars team can be.
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10. Tennessee State | OVC-Big South | 1-2 (0-0)| Prev: 10
Tennessee State stays put at No. 10 after a bye. They play one of the top teams in the FCS up next, Tennessee Tech.
| RANK | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State |
| 2 | Alabama State |
| 3 | North Carolina Central |
| 4 | South Carolina State |
| 5 | Alabama A&M |
| 6 | Howard |
| 7 | Delaware State |
| 8 | Prairie View A&M |
| 9 | Southern |
| 10 | Tennessee State |
| 11 | Grambling State |
| 12 | Florida A&M |
| 13 | North Carolina A&T |
| 14 | Morgan State |
| 15 | Texas Southern |
| 16 | Norfolk State |
| 17 | Hampton |
| 18 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 19 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 20 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 21 | Alcorn State |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4
11. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-1 (0-0) | Prev: 17
Should a win over a winless East Texas A&M launch Grambling State to the edge of the top 10? Probably not, but for Grambling State, the win is the first DI win of three wins for the Tigers. Without anything else impressive outside the top 10, Grambling State moves to No. 11.
12. Florida A&M | SWAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 12
Florida A&M had a bye last week and will have a chance to build off of a win over Albany State in Week 5.
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13. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 11
North Carolina A&T was severely overmatched against NC Central, but a win over Hampton keeps the Aggies from falling too far.
14. Morgan State | MEAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 13
Morgan State finally got in the win column against Central State.
15. Texas Southern | SWAC | 0-3 (0-1) | Prev: 14
Texas Southern is still winless, but will be well rested after a bye week.
16. Norfolk State | MEAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 16
Norfolk State was a field goal away from forcing overtime against Sacred Heart. It's a heartbreaking loss for the Spartans.
17. Hampton | CAA | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 15
Hampton falls again after the Pirates couldn't hang with Howard.
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18. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 1-3 (0-0) | Prev: 20
Bethune-Cookman moves in front of Arkansas-Pine Bluff because a win over an NCAA team is more impressive than a win over a non-NCAA team.
19. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 1-2 (0-0) | Prev: 18
Arkansas Pine-Bluff had a bye last week.
20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-3 (0-1) | Prev: 19
Mississippi Valley State will be winless when it returns from a bye week.
21. Alcorn State | SWAC | 0-3 (0-0) | Prev: 21
Alcorn State had a bye so the Braves couldn't do anything to move out of the bottom spot.
🏈: 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
