The HBCU football power rankings have a new look as a new team enters the top five and two more teams enter the top 10.
These are the fourth 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 6 HBCU football power rankings
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 3-1 (1-0) | Prev: 1
Great teams finish, and Jackson State did just that, overcoming a 13-7 second-quarter deficit by scoring 31 straight points to close the game.
EVERYTHING HBCU: Schedule, scores, updates and more from the 2025 HBCU football season
2. Alabama State | SWAC | 3-1 (1-0) | Prev: 2
It's a two-team race in the SWAC East, and that became clear after Alabama State dominated Florida A&M in a 42-14 win.
3. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 4-2 (0-0) | Prev: 3
North Carolina Central has scored 49, 62 and 50 points in its last three games. This offense is rolling and they look like the best team in the MEAC.
4. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 3-2 (2-0) | Prev: 8
Prairie View A&M enters the top five for the first time this season. The Panthers defeated Grambling State for the seventh time in the last eight State Fair Classics, moving to 2-0 in SWAC West play.
5. South Carolina State | MEAC | 2-3 (0-0) | Prev: 4
South Carolina State played an up-and-down game against Charleston Southern, losing a game that was there for the taking.
WALTER PAYTON AWARD: 10 early-season Walter Payton Award candidates to watch
6. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-2 (0-1) | Prev: 5
Alabama A&M lost a back-and-forth game to Bethune-Cookman. The loss ends a three-game win streak for the Bulldogs.
7. Howard | MEAC | 3-2 (0-0) | Prev: 6
A pair of fourth-quarter interceptions cost Howard against a Richmond team it had built a 12-0 lead on entering the final frame. The Bison let that one slip away.
8. Delaware State | MEAC | 3-2 (0-0) | Prev: 7
Regardless of Delaware State quarterback Kaiden Bennett's ridiculous ejection, the Hornets still had an 11-point lead entering halftime. DSU's offense didn't score a point in the second half, which is why they lost the game, dropping them two spots in the rankings.
ROOKIES: Top 10 freshmen in FCS football after 4 weeks of action
9. Morgan State | MEAC | 2-3 (0-0) | Prev: 14
Morgan State is a difficult team to evaluate. The Bears have three losses, with two coming to FBS opponents and another a five-point defeat to Towson. Morgan State also has two straight wins, but both came against DII opponents. Yet, the Bears have momentum while other teams don't, so they move into the top-10 for now.
10. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 2-3 (1-0) | Prev: 18
Bethune-Cookman is on a two-game win streak after putting 41 points on Alabama A&M. No team ranked below BCU can say they have a better win than BCU's win over AAMU. With only one FCS loss, the Wildcats move up.
| RANK | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State |
| 2 | Alabama State |
| 3 | North Carolina Central |
| 4 | Prairie View A&M |
| 5 | South Carolina State |
| 6 | Alabama A&M |
| 7 | Howard |
| 8 | Delaware State |
| 9 | Morgan State |
| 10 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 11 | Grambling State |
| 12 | Southern |
| 13 | Texas Southern |
| 14 | Tennessee State |
| 15 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 16 | North Carolina A&T |
| 17 | Florida A&M |
| 18 | Norfolk State |
| 19 | Hampton |
| 20 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 21 | Alcorn State |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | Wk 5
11. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-2 (0-1) | Prev: 11
Grambling State stays at No. 11 because the Tigers have three wins, including one FCS win. Even after a loss in the State Fair Classic to Prairie View A&M, Grambling State has a better resume than a lot of HBCU teams.
12. Southern | SWAC | 1-4 (0-1) | Prev: 9
Southern comes in at No. 12 because it has a win over a common opponent — Mississippi Valley State — with Texas Southern by a larger margin.
13. Texas Southern | SWAC | 1-3 (1-1) | Prev: 15
Texas Southern picked up its first win with a comeback effort against Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers face Arkansas-Pine Bluff next.
14. Tennessee State | OVC-Big South | 1-3 (0-1)| Prev: 10
Tennessee State has lost three straight games. While two of Tennessee State's losses have been blowouts to top-10 FCS teams, the Tigers still have to play better as they enter conference play.
15. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 2-2 (1-0) | Prev: 19
Arkansas-Pine Bluff won the Southern Heritage Classic, defeating Alcorn State 24-20.
MORE RANKINGS: AFCA Coaches Poll | STATS PERFORM
16. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-4 (1-1) | Prev: 13
North Carolina A&T might be 1-4, but with a DI HBCU win over Hampton, the Aggies can stay ranked above other teams.
17. Florida A&M | SWAC | 1-3 (0-1) | Prev: 12
Florida A&M lost by 28 points to Alabama State. That loss now makes a neutral site game in Atlanta against Mississippi Valley State a must-win game, or else some big changes could be on the way.
18. Norfolk State | MEAC | 1-4 (0-0) | Prev: 16
Norfolk State lost its second straight one-score game this week, losing to Wagner 18-13. The Spartans grabbed a 13-0 first-quarter lead, but didn't score again.
19. Hampton | CAA | 1-4 (0-2) | Prev: 17
Hampton's only win is over DII Elizabeth City State. The Pirates will play their last HBCU next week in the Battle of the Bay.
20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-4 (0-1) | Prev: 20
Mississippi Valley State blew a 20-7 third-quarter lead in a loss to Texas Southern.
21. Alcorn State | SWAC | 0-4 (0-1) | Prev: 21
Alcorn State remains winless, losing its SWAC opener in the Southern Heritage Classic
🏈: 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
