Grambling Moves Up HBCU Coaches Poll Aafter State Fair Classic Win

Alabama State’s impressive 38-3 victory over previously unbeaten Texas Southern impressed the coaches. The Hornets remained No.1 in the BOXTOROW Coaches Poll, 10 points ahead of Bethune-Cookman, who is No. 1 in the BOXTOROW Media Poll.

In the coaches poll the top five teams remained the same. Texas Southern dropped two spots to No. 8, while South Carolina State moved up one spot to No. 6. Jackson State’s roller coaster ride in the poll continued, moving from No. 10 up to No. 7.

Grambling State defeated Prairie View A&M 26-20 in the State Fair Classic in Dallas for its second-straight win and moved into the poll for the first time since the final 2011 and 2012 preseason polls at No. 9 this week.

Meanwhile in the media poll, Bethune-Cookman received all but three first-place votes and widened its margin over No. 2 North Carolina A&T by 21 points. The Aggies received two first-place votes.

Alabama State and Tennessee State switched positions from last week and sit at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Alcorn State received the other first place vote and moved up one spot to No. 5. Texas Southern dropped three spots to No. 8.

Livingstone is the only undefeated team in HBCU football and debuts for the first time in the eight-year history of the BOXTOROW Media Poll at No. 9

Two huge matchups highlight this week’s slate of games as Alabama State plays at Alcorn State on Thursday night in a nationally televised matchup and South Carolina State plays North Carolina A&T in the Atlanta Football Classic on Saturday.

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.