We have a big-time matchup coming this week in HBCU football as the top two teams meet head-to-head. But before we jump too far ahead, let's take a look at how Week 6 results impacted Week 7's HBCU football power rankings.
These are the fifth 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 7 HBCU football power rankings
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 4-1 (2-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State dominated Alabama A&M, and Jacobian Morgan had himself a day. Morgan completed 21-of-30 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns, rushing for 120 yards and another score.
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2. Alabama State | SWAC | 4-1 (2-0) | Prev: 2
Alabama State's offense is rolling after a 52-35 win over Bethune-Cookman. We have a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup this week.
3. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 4-2 (0-0) | Prev: 3
North Carolina Central had a bye and stays put in the top three.
4. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 4-2 (3-0) | Prev: 4
The Panthers escaped with a 13-12 win over Alcorn State. They'll stay in the top five.
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5. Delaware State | MEAC | 3-3 (0-0) | Prev: 8
Delaware State proved it could hang with the best in the FCS, pushing Monmouth to a close one, deep in the fourth quarter.
6. South Carolina State | MEAC | 3-3 (0-0) | Prev: 5
South Carolina State bounced back with a homecoming win over Savannah State.
7. Howard | MEAC | 3-2 (0-0) | Prev: 7
Howard had a bye last week and stays in the top 10.
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8. Texas Southern | SWAC | 2-3 (2-1) | Prev: 13
Texas Southern launched itself into the top 10 with a dominant win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The 51-7 win is the second straight victory for the Tigers.
9. Grambling State | SWAC | 3-2 (0-1) | Prev: 11
Grambling State moves into the top 10 after a bye week. The Tigers have three wins.
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10. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 3-3 (0-2) | Prev: 6
Alabama A&M falls to 3-3 after losing back-to-back games. The Bulldogs have two SWAC East losses now, almost assuredly knocking them from championship contention.
| RANK | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State |
| 2 | Alabama State |
| 3 | North Carolina Central |
| 4 | Prairie View A&M |
| 5 | Delaware State |
| 6 | South Carolina State |
| 7 | Howard |
| 8 | Texas Southern |
| 9 | Grambling State |
| 10 | Alabama A&M |
| 11 | Morgan State |
| 12 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 13 | Southern |
| 14 | Tennessee State |
| 15 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 16 | North Carolina A&T |
| 17 | Florida A&M |
| 18 | Hampton |
| 19 | Norfolk State |
| 20 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 21 | Alcorn State |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6
11. Morgan State | MEAC | 2-4 (0-0) | Prev: 9
Morgan State had horrible clock management in the fourth quarter, which led to a Hail Mary loss to Georgetown. The Bears fall out of the top 10.
12. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 2-4 (1-1) | Prev: 10
Bethune-Cookman couldn't hang with Alabama State, ending its two-game win streak. The Wildcats have a 1-2 record against FCS opponents.
13. Southern | SWAC | 1-4 (0-1) | Prev: 12
Southern had a bye week. The Jaguars will be looking for their second win when they return.
14. Tennessee State | OVC-Big South | 1-4 (0-2)| Prev: 14
Tennessee State has lost five straight games, with only one of those games being within one score. The Tigers are free-falling, but so are some of the other teams in these rankings.
15. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 2-3 (1-1) | Prev: 15
Arkansas-Pine Bluff lost by 44 points to Texas Southern, but with two wins on the resume, the Golden Lions have nowhere to drop.
MORE RANKINGS: AFCA Coaches Poll | STATS PERFORM
16. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-5 (1-2) | Prev: 16
North Carolina A&T lost again, but there's nowhere to drop the Aggies thanks to a DI win over Hampton.
17. Florida A&M | SWAC | 1-3 (0-1) | Prev: 17
Florida A&M won't be penalized for having its game against Mississippi Valley State postponed because it played a common opponent with Hampton in Howard. The Rattlers had a smaller margin of defeat than the Pirates.
18. Hampton | CAA | 2-4 (0-2) | Prev: 19
Hampton moves in front of Norfolk State after the head-to-head win.
19. Norfolk State | MEAC | 1-5 (0-0) | Prev: 18
Norfolk State fell to 1-5 after losing its third straight game by one possession.
20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 0-4 (0-1) | Prev: 20
Mississippi Valley State stays put after the cancellation of the Georgia Football Classic.
21. Alcorn State | SWAC | 0-5 (0-2) | Prev: 21
Alcorn State remains winless after a close defeat to Prairie View A&M.
🏈: 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
