HBCU Football Top 10 Shifts After Week 0; Texas Southern Makes Big Jump
South Carolina State retained the No. 1 spot in the BC+ HBCU football rankings after Week 0, with Alabama State close behind. Texas Southern surged after defeating North Carolina Central, while three new head coaches—Ted White at Howard, Quinn F. Gray Sr. at Florida A&M, and Van Malone at Hampton—won their debuts. Week 1 features several matchups that could further shake up the top 10.
Week 0 produced several notable results beyond the rankings shift. South Carolina State's 87-0 rout of Savannah State set a program scoring record, while Alabama State needed a strong second half to overcome a halftime deficit against Southern, with quarterback Andrew Body leading the comeback. Texas Southern's 42-30 victory over North Carolina Central marked coach Cris Dishman's second win in three season openers.
Howard's Ted White impressed in his debut, with quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns, including a late 51-yard game-winning connection to Se'Quan Osborne. The upcoming Labor Day Classic between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern carries added weight after both teams showed offensive firepower in Week 0.
This rankings shift could influence recruiting momentum and national visibility for HBCU programs, particularly Texas Southern's rise after a marquee win. Strong debuts from new head coaches may generate renewed fan interest and media attention across the MEAC and SWAC. Week 1 matchups, including Hampton's test against Maryland, could further shape perceptions of HBCU competitiveness at the FCS level, potentially affecting attendance, conference prestige, and future scheduling opportunities.