The top five teams hold steady while the defending Celebration Bowl champions continue to fall in the second-to-last HBCU football power rankings from NCAA Digital’s Stan Becton.
These are the 12th and final rankings of the regular season. The final rankings will come after the Celebration Bowl. The rankings were 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: 2024 Week 13 HBCU football power rankings
| RANK | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State |
| 2 | South Carolina State |
| 3 | North Carolina Central |
| 4 | Tennessee State |
| 5 | Southern |
| 6 | Alcorn State |
| 7 | Prairie View A&M |
| 8 | Texas Southern |
| 9 | Florida A&M |
| 10 | Alabama State |
| 11 | Alabama A&M |
| 12 | Morgan State |
| 13 | Hampton |
| 14 | Norfolk State |
| 15 | Grambling State |
| 16 | Howard |
| 17 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 18 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| 19 | Mississippi Valley State |
| 20 | Delaware State |
| 21 | North Carolina A&T |
PAST POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | WK 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12
1. Jackson State | SWAC | 9-2 (7-0) | Prev: 1
Jackson State clinched the SWAC East a with a win over Alabama State and holds on to the top spot in the rankings.
2. South Carolina State | MEAC | 8-2 (4-0) | Prev: 2
South Carolina State has been dominant in its last two outings, winning by an average margin victory of more than 35 points.
3. North Carolina Central | MEAC | 7-3 (3-1) | Prev: 3
North Carolina Central took down Howard to become the clear No. 2 team in the MEAC.
4. Tennessee State | OVC | 8-3 (5-2) | Prev: 4
Tennessee State could make the FCS playoffs after beating Gardner-Webb. The Tigers will need some help, but if they control what they control they could see the postseason.
5. Southern | SWAC | 7-4 (6-1) | Prev: 5
Southern won the SWAC West with a big win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Jaguars will be a top-10 team no matter what happens during the rest of the season.
2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish
6. Alcorn State | SWAC | 6-5 (5-2) | Prev: 7
Alcorn State beat Prairie View A&M to establish itself as the second-best team in the SWAC West.
7. Prairie View A&M | SWAC | 5-6 (3-4) | Prev: 8
Prairie View A&M moves up one spot after a loss because of Florida A&M’s stunning defeat.
8. Texas Southern | SWAC | 4-6 (3-4) | Prev: 12
Texas Southern escaped Bethune-Cookman and the Tigers are now back in the top 10.
9. Florida A&M | SWAC | 5-5 (3-3) | Prev: 6
Florida A&M falls after a losing to Mississippi Valley State. That’s the second-worst loss in FCS HBCU football this year.
10. Alabama State | SWAC | 5-5 (4-3) | Prev: 9
Alabama State drops one spot after a loss to Jackson State.
11. Alabama A&M | SWAC | 5-5 (3-3) | Prev: 15
A win over Grambling State pushes Alabama A&M near the top 10.
12. Morgan State | MEAC | 5-6 (2-2) | Prev: 10
Morgan State got dominated by South Carolina State. The Bears fall out of the top 10.
13. Hampton | CAA | 5-6 (2-5) | Prev: 11
Hampton played the CAA champs close, but the Pirates have now lost three straight.
13. Norfolk State | MEAC | 4-7 (2-2) | Prev: 14
Norfolk State is now 2-2 in MEAC play after another win.
15. Grambling State | SWAC | 5-6 (2-5) | Prev: 13
Grambling State lost another close game.
16. Howard | MEAC | 4-7 (1-3) | Prev: 16
Howard is now 1-3 in MEAC play. That’s a big fall from last season’s championship.
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE: Here’s every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS
17. Bethune-Cookman | SWAC | 2-9 (2-5) | Prev: 17
Bethune-Cookman lost its second straight close game. The Wildcats have the Florida Classic next against Florida A&M.
18. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC | 3-8 (2-5) | Prev: 18
Arkansas-Pine Bluff couldn’t hang with Southern.
19. Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 1-10 (1-6) | Prev: 21
Mississippi Valley State moved out of the bottom spot — and will likely stay out of it — after a win over Florida A&M.
20. Delaware State | MEAC | 1-10 (0-4) | Prev: 19
Delaware State lost to Norfolk State.
21. North Carolina A&T | CAA | 1-10 (0-7) | Prev: 20
North Carolina A&T fell to 1-10 after another loss.