HBCU Football: Power Rankings | Week 4
HOUSTON — The cream will rise to the top in HBCU football during Week 4. Two crucial divisional clashes will occur in the SWAC. Alabama State heads to Ken Riley Field to stop Florida A&M on their quest for the SWAC East title. Alcorn State hopes to take advantage of its momentum after beating McNeese State. Prairie View sits atop the SWAC West at 1-0, but the Braves hope their defense and home crowd will be the difference makers to take control of the division. Texas Southern Tigers are licking wounds from Rice's 59-7 rout and desperately need to defeat a hot Grambling State to stay in the SWAC West hunt. It will be challenging if an injured Mr. Andrew Body cannot play against the SWAC's No. 3 signal-caller — Mr. Myles Crawley. The G-Men still remember the 41-7 beatdown they experienced in Houston in 2022.
In the MEAC, NCCU will be in Indianapolis to play Mississippi Valley State at the Circle City Classic. No other conference teams are battling one another in Week 4
Saturday's slate in the CIAA will pit the heavy game favorites from Bowie State, Virginia Union, and Virginia State against combatants from St Augustine's, Fayetteville State, and Livingstone, respectively. C. Johnson Smith vs. Lincoln (PA) and Bluefield State vs. Winton-Salem State also could have conference ramifications.
The best HBCU team in the nation — Benedict College — will battle Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC. However, pay close attention to the outcome of the Lane at Tuskegee, Allen visiting Central State, Savannah State versus Albany State affair, and Clark Atlanta tilt with Miles. Currently, 'Skegee is the only team with enough firepower to halt the Benedict Tigers' march through the conference. Both are on treks to tangle in the SIAC championship game in November.
It will be a thrilling ride in HBCU football this weekend.
Benedict College Football 2023; Credit: Benedict Athletics
HBCU POWER FIVE TEAMS - WEEK 4
- Benedict (3-0, 2-0 SIAC) | The Tigers dominate and maul their opponents. Period! Following a fumbled punt, Benedict finally surrendered the only score allowed this season by its defense. Coach Chennis Berry's defense stymied Lane to a paltry 89 yards of total offense. Next Game: @ Chowan, in Murfreesboro, NC, at 1 PM ET on Saturday, Sept. 23.
- Florida A&M (2-1, 1-0 SWAC EAST) | Coach Simmons and the Rattlers defeated the University of West Florida for the first win at Ken Riley Field. The Dark Cloud defense stopped the Argonauts offense for a 31-10 victory at Bragg Memorial. Next Game: @Home vs. Alabama State (Hall of Fame Game) at 6 PM CT on ESPN+, Saturday, Sept. 23. (HBCU LEGENDS' GAME OF THE WEEK)
- North Carolina Central (2-1, 0-0 MEAC) | The Eagles visited Hollywood, where they fell 59-7 to the UCLA Bruins. Chalk the loss as another "check game" for NCCU. Next Game: @Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium vs. Mississippi Valley State. Kick off at 3 PM on Saturday, Sept. 23.
- Jackson State (2-2, 0-1 SWAC EAST) | Texas State gave the Jackson State Tigers an old-fashioned 77-34 beat down in San Marcos, TX - but it was expected. Coach Taylor finally gets to unpack and host a home game in Week 4. Next Game: Hosting Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, Sept. 23.
- Alcorn State (1-2, 0-0 SWAC WEST) | The Braves opened its 2023 campaign with three straight FCS opponents. Again, they gave McNeese State problems to notch a second-straight win over the Cowboys, 17-3. Coach McNair has a statement game against Coach McDowell and Prairie View A&M in Week 3. One of these teams could take the advantage in the SWAC West. Next Game: Hosting Prairie View A&M at 6 PM CT on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Teams Lurking, Waiting to Rise into the Top 5: Prairie View, Tuskegee, Virginia Union, Howard, Miles, Norfolk State
Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons tunes into his headset towards the end of a timeout during a game against West Florida on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
HBCU POWER FIVE COACHES - WEEK 4
- Chennis Berry - Benedict
- Willie Simmons - Florida A&M
- Trei Oliver - NCCU
- Fred McNair - Alcorn State
- Alvin Parker - VA Union
HBCU Coaches Positioned to Rise into the Top 5: Bubba McDowell, Prairie View, Dawson Odums, Norfolk State