Dr. Cavil’s Major Poll for 2024 has been released by the Black College Sports Network. Discover the top teams and athletes to watch out for.”
HOUSTON, TX | The winds of change blew through this week’s poll rankings, with five of the holdovers from the previous week’s polls finding themselves occupying different positions, along with a pair of new additions.
Texas Southern (1-2, 0-0) and Tennessee State (2-2, 0-1) dropped out of the poll. South Carolina State Bulldogs-(1-2, 0-0)-136; Morgan State Bears-(2-2, 0-0)-134; and Southern Jaguars-(2-2, 1-0)-133 also received votes.
7.Howard University (2-2, 0-0)
Howard falls a spot to the no.7, following their 27-20 loss to Hampton in the Truth and Service Classic/ “The Battle of the Real HU”. The Bison fell behind 14-0 in the first half but battled back to tie the game late in the third quarter. A fumble by running back Jarrett Hunter as he was fighting to cross the goal line ended a potential game-tying drive. Hampton was able to capitalize on the turnover to take a 27-14 lead, which was a deficit that proved too great for the Bison to overcome. Up next for Howard is a trip to Princeton, NJ next week to take on Princeton.
6. Jackson State (2-2, 0-0)
Jackson State tumbles from the no.2 spot following a 41-20 spanking Grambling laid on them Saturday night in another top 7 matchup. Although JSU outgained GSU 438 -271, they were ultimately undone by 5 turnovers. Jackson State further hurt their cause with 11 penalties for 111 yards. JSU will look to bounce back next week when they launch into SWAC play with a road matchup against Texas Southern.
5. Morgan State (2-2, 0-0)
After being unranked the previous week, Morgan State enters the poll at no.5, following its 56-7 annihilation of Virginia University of Lynchburg in MSU’s home opener. The Bears stormed to a 42-0 lead at halftime and scored 49 unanswered points before VUL finally broke the seal on their side of the scoreboard with a touchdown run with 6:49 left in the contest. A touchdown on Morgan’s next possession pushed the score to its final count of 56-7. Up next for Morgan State is a road trip to face Stony Brook; the Seawolves edged the Bears 24-22 in their most recent matchup on November 5, 2022.
4. North Carolina Central (2-2, 0-0)
Like Morgan State the Eagles of North Carolina Central hit the top 7, after being unranked the previous week. Saturday put a 66-24 donkey-kicking on North Carolina A&T in the Aggie-Eagle Classic. A stretch from the 5:51 mark of the first quarter until 7:36 left in the second quarter saw the Eagles score 27 unanswered points, turning a 9-7 deficit into a 34-9 advantage. The Eagles enjoyed a 40-12 lead at halftime and outscored their former MEAC foe 26-12 in the second half. NC Central hosts Norfolk State, whom they defeated 38-24 last season, next week.
3. Florida A&M (2-2, 0-0)
The Rattlers fall to the no.3 spot after taking it on the chin 34-12 from Troy University on Saturday. FAMU was unable to get in the endzone on the evening, with all of their points coming off the feet of Cameron Gillis. Troy liked up 507 yards of offense, with 295 coming through the air while running for 212. FAMU was limited to just 55 yards on the ground. Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson completed 25 of 39 passes for 288 yards; wideout Jamari Gassett hauled in 10 of those passes for 141 yards. Florida A&M will host Alabama A&M next week.
2. Grambling State (3-1, 0-0)
Grambling moves up three spots to no.2 after the Tigers’ 41-20 shellacking of Jackson State Saturday evening. The Grambling defense forced 5 turnovers and scored two touchdowns for the win. The GSU defense has scored touchdowns in three consecutive games and currently leads the nation in interceptions (7) takeaways (10) and defensive touchdowns (4). Grambling will host Prairie View next week; GSU defeated the Panthers 35-20 in their matchup last season.
1. Hampton University (3-1, 0-0)
The Pirates ascended to the top spot in the rankings after their win over fellow top 7 team Howard in Saturday’s “Battle of the Real HU”, 27-20. The Pirates never trailed in the contest and capitalized on a key Howard turnover that ultimately sealed the game. Winners of three straight, the Pirates look to continue their winning streak when they host William & Mary, who had their way with Hampton last season, defeating the Pirates 31-10.
ABOUT DR. CAVIL’S INSIDE THE HBCU SPORTS LAB
As part of Dr. Cavil’s Classic Cuts Weekly HBCU Sports Series, The THG Agency produces Dr. Cavil’s “Inside the HBCU Sports Lab with Mike Washington and Charles Bishop on KCOH 1230 AM radio in Houston, TX. The show explores the exciting mixture between the HBCU sports scene (The Sporting HBCU Diaspora, HBCU Sports Culture, and HBCU Athletic Aesthetics in Cultural Identity, including the teams, bands, coaches, classics, homecomings, and content creation. Inside the HBCU Sports Lab airs live on the Black College Sports Network (BCSN) and on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), and other social media platforms each and every Tuesday and Thursday at 7PM ET/6PM CT. During football season the show additionally airs on Sunday at 10AM ET/9AM CT.
ABOUT DR. CAVILS POLL RANKINGS
Dr. Cavil has released a poll every season since 2002, ranking the top football programs in HBCU. Dr. Cavil was the first to separate the Major Division (FCS) and the Mid-Major Division (NCAA D-II and NAIA) into two distinct polls.
ABOUT BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK
The Black College Sports Network (BCSN) is the first online media outlet dedicated to LIVE coverage & broadcasting of HBCU sporting events on a weekly basis. The BCSN is the first international digital media network dedicated to providing it viewers and listeners, with the news, entertainment and LIVE sports programming from an African/Urban centered perspective. The BCSN is the flagship product of the JERICHO Broadcast Networks (JBN) and has been broadcasting online since 1998!
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