No. 1 Tennessee State and No. 2 Alabama A&M Remain Undefeated

The games continued this past Saturday as teams are fighting for the number one position. The Tennessee State Tigers and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs continue their undefeated run as both look for a conference title.

By Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil and guest Jasmine Oliver
Inside the HBCU Huddle Columnist
College Sporting News

In the No. 1 position of the Major Division is the undefeated Tennessee State Tigers (4-0) who won against the previously third-ranked and current No. 7 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 21-14. The Tigers will welcome the No. 3 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions this weekend as their homecoming opponent. The Golden Lions defeated the No. 9 Alabama State Hornets, 24-21, in a nationally televised game on ESPNU this past Thursday.

The Alabama A&M Bulldogs remain at No. 2 after a dominating performance against the Texas Southern Tigers, 42-13. The Bulldogs will play the Grambling State Tigers this weekend in the 3rd Annual Lewis Crews Classic in Huntsville, Ala.

The Howard Bison remain in the No. 4 spot, while the No. 5 North Carolina A&T State Aggies moved up two spots, although both programs where idle this past weekend. The Bison will host the Savannah State Tigers in a MEAC match-up this weekend while the Aggies will host the Morgan State Bears in a MEAC opener for both programs on ESPNU this Thursday.

The No. 6 Florida A&M Rattlers won 24-22 in a grudge match against the Delaware State Hornets. The Rattlers will try to continue their climb up the rankings as they face an inspired Southern Jaguars team that just earned their first win of the season. The match-up features a long standing non-conference rival game between the two programs and will be featured in the Atlanta Football Classic for the second year.

The No. 8 Norfolk State Spartans lost a non-conference game against FBS member Ohio University, 44-10. The Spartans head back into conference play in a game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are scratching to get back into the MEAC action as they were up against FBS members, Arizona Wildcats and Texas A&M Aggies, the last two weeks and losers of three straight games.

The No. 10 North Carolina Central Eagles are in the top 10 poll rankings for the first time this year and for the first time since they moved up from the NCAA Division II to the NCAA Division I FCS level. The Eagles enter into the poll after beating the Savannah State Tigers in a shootout on the road, 45-33. The North Carolina Central Eagles have an open date this weekend.

This week on Dr. Cavil’s “HBCU Sports Top 10 Countdown” show on KCOH 1430AM radio (www.kcohradio.com) announced the Week 4 Poll Rankings.

The 10th Anniversary (2002-2012) of Dr. Cavil's HBCU Major Division Football Top 10 Poll Rankings
(Presented by Bert Simmons - State Farm Agent, 281.485.5572; powered by THG Agency, LLC - (The Heritage Group, www.thg-agency.com) & TSPNSports.com)

Name-------------------------------Record---1PV-Points-PWR---Last Game-Next Game-(September 27-29)
1. Tennessee State Tigers---------(4-0)----(7)---104---1----(Beat Bethune-Cookman Wildcats,(21-14), vs-Arkansas P. B. Golden Lions)
2. Alabama A & M Bulldogs---------(4-0)----(5)---100---2----(Beat Texas Southern,(42-13), vs-Grambling State Tigers))
3. Arkansas at P. B. Golden Lions-(3-1)----------91----8----(Beat Alabama State Hornets,(24-21), at-Tennessee State Tigers)
4. Howard Bison-------------------(2-1)----------82----4----(Did Not Play), vs-Savannah State Tigers)
5. N. C. A & T State Aggies-------(2-1)----------79----7----(Did Not Play), vs-Morgan State Bears)
6. Florida A & M Rattlers---------(2-2)----------67----9----(Beat Delaware State Hornets,(24-22), vs-Southern Jaguars)
7. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats-------(2-2)----------38----3----(Lost to Tennessee State Tigers,(21-14), at-Hampton Pirates)
8. Norfolk State Spartans---------(2-2)----------32----5----(Lost to Ohio Bobcats/FBS,(44-10), at-S. C. State Bulldogs)
9. #-Alabama State Hornets--------(2-2)----------21----6----(Lost to Arkansas P. B. Golden Lions(24-21), at-Alcorn State Braves)
10. N. C. Central Eagles-----------(2-2)----------13----NR---(Beat Savannah State Tigers,(45-33), Open)

Dropped Out: Jackson State Tigers-(1-3)
Receiving Votes: Morgan State Bears-(1-2)-9, Delaware State-(1-3)-1
PWR = Previous Week Ranking, 1PV = 1st Place Votes, LG = Last Game
# = 2011 Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Mid-Major Division Football Champion