Tennessee State loses for the first time, but remains at No. 1

Tennessee State’s bid for an undefeated season came to a heartbreaking end in overtime as the Tigers fell to Jacksonville State on Saturday. However, the loss didn’t have an impact on the polls as some thought as TSU remains atop Dr. Cavil’s Major Division poll for the sixth straight week.

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

Tennessee State lost a major opportunity to State. The loss didn’t knock the Tigers from the top spot as they’ll try and regroup with a contest versus Tennessee Tech this weekend. Led by second-year head coach Henry Frazier III, the Eagles of North Carolina Central jumped to No. 2 following a 37-20 win versus Hampton on Thursday night. The Eagles picked up a first-place vote in the process and play their biggest game of the year this weekend as they’ll travel to No. 3 Bethune-Cookman in a huge MEAC battle.

No. 3 Bethune-Cookman rolled past Norfolk State 48-3 this weekend but dropped a spot in the rankings as NCCU ascended to No. 2. The battle for the poll’s No. 2 spot and possibly the top spot will be on the line this weekend as BCU hosts North Carolina Central this Saturday on ESPNU.

Alabama A&M held steady at No. 4 as the Bulldogs had the weekend off. AAMU returns to action on Saturday with their season on the line as they’ll face in-state rival and No. 8 Alabama State in the annual Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala. No. 5 Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s path to the SWAC West Championship got a little clearer as they rolled over previously ranked Southern 50-21. UAPB will face rival Mississippi Valley this weekend as the Delta Devils narrowly missed out on defeating No. 9 Jackson State in double overtime.

Howard remained at No. 6 with a 21-20 nail biter over Morgan State. Up next for the Bison is South Carolina State this weekend. The surprising Hornets of Delaware State moved up a spot in the poll this week after blanking North Carolina A&T 24-0. Ranked seventh, DSU travels to Baltimore to face Morgan State this weekend in a 7v10 matchup.

Alabama State fell to No. 8 this weekend as they were idle. The Hornets can shake up the poll this weekend as they battle in-state foe and No. 4 ranked Alabama A&M in the annual Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala.

Jackson State returns to the polls after a double overtime win over Mississippi Valley State. The No. 9 Tigers remain in the hunt for a SWAC East Championship and will have this weekend off. Morgan State rounds out the No. 10 and final spot in the polls as the Bears fell to Howard 21-20 and will have little time to regroup as they’ll host No. 7 Delaware State this weekend in a MEAC showdown.



This week on Dr. Cavil’s “HBCU Sports Top 10 Countdown” show on KCOH 1430AM radio (www.kcohradio.com) announced the Week 8 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-(October 4-6)
1. Tennessee State Tigers-(7-1)-(9)-105-1-(Lost to Jacksonville State Gamecocks,(31-28/OT), vs-Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles)
2. N. C. Central Eagles-(5-2)-(1)-96-3-(Beat Hampton Pirates,(37-20), at-Bethune-Cookman Wildcats)
3. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats-(5-2)-(1)-95-2-(Beat Norfolk State Spartans,(48-3), vs-N. C. Central Eagles)
4. Alabama A & M Bulldogs-(6-1)-(1)-87-4-(Did Not Play, vs-Alabama State Hornets)
5. Arkansas at P. B. Golden Lions-(5-2)-69-5-(Beat Southern Jaguars,(50-21), vs-Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils)
6. Howard Bison-(5-2)-63-6-(Beat Morgan State Bears,(21-20), vs-S. C. Statae Bulldogs)
7. Delaware State Hornets-(4-3)-49-8-(Beat N. C. A&T State Aggies,(24-0), at-Morgan State Bears)
8. #-Alabama State Hornets-(4-3)-32-7-(Did Not Play, vs-Alabama A&M Bulldogs)
9. Jackson State Tigers-(4-4)-16-NR-(Beat Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils,(14-7/2OT), Open)
10. Morgan State Bears-(3-4)-13-10-(Lost to Howard Bison,(21-20), vs-Delaware State Hornets)

Dropped Out: Southern Jaguars-(3-4)
Receiving Votes: N. C. A&T State Aggies-(3-4)-7, Southern Jaguars-(3-4)-5
PWR = Previous Week Ranking, 1PV = 1st Place Votes, LG = Last Game
# = 2011 Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Mid-Major Division Football Champion

Listen to Dr. Cavil’s “HBCU Sports Top 10 Countdown” show on KCOH 1430AM radio (www.kcohradio.com) announcing Dr. Cavil’s Top 10 Major Division weekly poll rankings at 6:00 p.m. and Dr. Cavil’s “Inside the HBCU Sports Lab” with Ryan McGinty and Mike Washington from 9-10:00 p.m. every Sunday also on KCOH.