Florida A&M Dominates as #1 in Week 12 HBCU Football Rankings

Top HBCU Football Teams: Breaking Down Week 12’s Rankings

This year marks the first time there’s a new leader in the HBCU football power rankings. In this article, we present a breakdown of Week 12’s rankings as analyzed by NCAA Digital’s Stan Becton.

Published weekly throughout the regular season, these rankings assess each HBCU football team’s performance at the FCS level. A process dubbed The Road to Atlanta, these rankings climax in the annual meeting of the two best HBCU football teams at the year’s Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.

Let’s dive into the rankings.

Week 12 HBCU Football Power Rankings: The Road to Atlanta

1. Florida A&M | SWAC | 9-1 (7-0) | Prev: 2

Florida A&M has risen to the top spot in the HBCU football power rankings thanks to a shutout win over non-DI Lincoln (CA), and the previous top team’s loss.

For more HBCU Football: Check the 2023 season’s schedule, scores, rankings, and updates here

2. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 8-2 (3-1) | Prev: 1

North Carolina Central drops to the second spot after Howard’s 50-point game. However, with just one FCS loss, the Eagles hold at No. 2.

3. Jackson State | SWAC | 7-3 (5-2) | Prev: 4

With a bye last week, Jackson State prepares for the upcoming Soul Bowl against Alcorn State.

4. Alabama State | SWAC | 6-3 (5-2) | Prev: 7

After a rocky 1-3 start, Alabama State has turned things around with five consecutive wins.

5. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 5-5 (5-2) | Prev: 9

Prairie View A&M climbs the rankings after defeating Southern. They now stand a chance of winning the SWAC West with some assistance.

6. Alcorn State | SWAC | 6-4 (5-2) | Prev: 3

Alcorn State took a hit with a stunning loss to Texas Southern, making their Week 12 game against Jackson State crucial for the SWAC West.

7. Howard | MEAC | 5-5 (3-1) | Prev: 11

Howard pulled off the season’s biggest HBCU football upset by reducing North Carolina Central by 30 points, propelling them back into the top 10.

8. Hampton | CAA | 5-5 (3-4) | Prev: 6

After a loss to William & Mary, Hampton falls below .500 in the conference record, dropping them down the rankings.

9. Tennessee State | Big South-OVC | 6-4 (2-3) | Prev: 5

Tennessee State’s bright season outlook dampens after it loses its second straight game.

2023 FCS playoffs automatic bids and AQ scenarios: Here’s our tracking

10. Morgan State | MEAC | 4-5 (3-1) | Prev: 13

With a narrow victory over South Carolina State, Morgan State now has a shot at the MEAC title.

11. Grambling State | SWAC | 5-5 (4-3) | Prev: 14

After winning a Friday night face-off against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State may have a shot at the conference championship game with the right outcomes.

12. Southern | SWAC | 5-5 (4-3) | Prev: 8

After two consecutive losses, Southern falls out of the SWAC West division race.

13. Texas Southern | SWAC | 3-7 (2-5) | Prev: 15

Texas Southern’s 34-point victory over Alcorn State marks their best win of the season.

Past HBCU Power Rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11

14. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 4-7 (2-5) | Prev: 16

Bethune-Cookman steps up from the lower tier of the rankings with a win over Alabama A&M.

15. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 4-6 (2-5) | Prev: 12

Alabama A&M slips down after its offense failed to find momentum in a loss against Bethune-Cookman.

16. South Carolina State | MEAC | 4-6 (2-2) | Prev: 10

South Carolina State’s special team errors cost them a spot in this week’s MEAC title race.

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17. Norfolk State | MEAC | 3-7 (1-3) | Prev: 17

Norfolk State’s victory over Delaware State wasn’t enough to push them up in the rankings.

18. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-9 (0-7) | Prev: 18

North Carolina A&T’s latest defeat was by a mere single score, but they remain in their ranking position.

19. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-9 (0-4) | Prev: 19

Delaware State must score a major upset to avoid a winless season in the MEAC.

20. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 1-9 (1-6) | Prev: 20

Mississippi Valley State couldn’t match the might of Alabama State.

21. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 1-9 (0-7) | Prev: 21

Arkansas-Pine Bluff continues to search for its first DI victory.

Explore: HBCU football championship history