By// Donal Ware
For the third-straight week, Bethune-Cookman reigns supreme as the top team in HBCU Football in this week’s Boxtorow media and coaches’ polls. Saturday’s match up between the Wildcats and No. 2 Tennessee State in Daytona Beach, Fla. could determine on the field who is the top team among the coaches. Bethune-Cookman received four more first-place votes than the Tigers for the top spot.
For now, TSU sees it highest ranking since Boxtorow began administering the coaches’ poll in 2009.
With Norfolk State’s 37-36 upset loss at the hands of Howard, the Spartans dropped to No. 5 this week. Meanwhile, the Bison moved into the poll for the first time this year, debuting at No. 8.
Alabama A&M, the only other undefeated FCS HBCU team, received the other first place vote and is No. 3 this week.
In the media poll, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs placed No. 2 this week, despite not receiving any first-place votes.
The defending Boxtorow HBCU National Champion Winston-Salem State Rams received six first-place votes and finished tied with Tennessee State for No. 3. The Tigers received one first-place vote.
| Rank | School | W-L | Pts. | LW |
| 1. | Bethune-Cookman (9) | 2-1 | 146 | 1 |
| 2. | Alabama A&M | 3-0 | 128 | 4 |
| 3. | Winston-Salem State* (6) | 3-0 | 121 | 3 |
| 3. (tie) | Tennessee State (1) | 3-0 | 121 | 5 |
| 5. | Norfolk State | 2-1 | 100 | 2 |
| 6. | Alabama State | 2-1 | 82 | 7 |
| 7. | South Carolina State | 1-2 | 49 | 6 |
| 8. | Howard | 2-1 | 46 | NR |
| 9. | Jackson State | 1-2 | 32 | 8 |
| 10. | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 2-1 | 16 | NR |
Other receiving votes: Bowie State (3-0) 12, Miles (2-1) 8, Tuskegee (2-1) 7, Fort Valley State (2-1) 5, Saint Augustine’s (2-1) 4, Alcorn State (1-2) 3, North Carolina A&T (2-1) 3, Florida A&M (1-2) 1, Morehouse (1-2) 1, Texas Southern (1-2) 1.
| Rank | School | W-L | Pts. | LW |
| 1. | Bethune-Cookman (9) | 2-1 | 141 | 1 |
| 2. | Tennessee State (5) | 3-0 | 136 | 3 |
| 3. | Alabama A&M (1) | 3-0 | 115 | 4 |
| 4. | Alabama State | 2-1 | 93 | 5 |
| 5. | Norfolk State ** | 2-1 | 92 | 2 |
| 6. | Howard | 2-1 | 51 | NR |
| 7. | North Carolina A&T | 2-1 | 45 | 9 |
| 8. | South Carolina State | 1-2 | 44 | 6 |
| 9. | Jackson State | 1-2 | 35 | 10 |
| 10. | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 2-1 | 29 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Florida A&M (1-2) 15, Morgan State (1-2) 10, Texas Southern (1-2) 10, Alcorn State (1-2) 1, Delaware State (1-2) 1, North Carolina Central (1-2) 1.
*Defending HBCU National Champion (Media)
** Defending HBCU National Champion (Coaches)
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The Boxtorow HBCU FCS Coaches’ poll is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW and is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches. The Media poll is voted on by top media members around the country who cover HBCU sports.
