HBCU Football Top-25 Power Ranking

Since December 27, 1982, when players laced up their shoes and took the field in the first black college football game between Biddle College and Livingstone College (Johnson C. Smith), HBCU football has been deep in tradition, pageantry, pride, and history. On any given Saturday morning at an HBCU, students, alums, administrators, and fans would prepare for the day's ritual of the bands, dancing teams, exciting plays, cheers, camaraderie, and fun.

Last season, most believed the Jackson State Tigers were the dominant team in all HBCU football. That was the case until they ran into Trei Oliver's North Carolina Eagles in the 2022 Celebration Bowl. It was Deion Sanders' final game as the JSU head coach and mouthpiece of HBCU football. The loss indicated to all Division I black college programs that they also will have a chance to win the 2023 Celebration Bowl Trophy in Atlanta on December 16, 2023.

Before crowning a new leader in HBCU football, who are the Week 0 powerhouse programs on the landscape of HBCU football in America?

The 2023 HBCU LEGENDS TOP 25 Football Week 0 Power Rankings are as follows:

North Carolina Central
Florida A&M
Benedict
Jackson State
Southern
North Carolina A&T
Prairie View A&M
Texas Southern
Alcorn State
South Carolina State
Alabama State
Grambling State
Howard
Alabama A&M
Virginia Union
Fort Valley State
Hampton
Bowie State
Morgan State
Fayetteville State
Norfolk State
Tuskegee
Albany State
Delaware State
Langston (OK)

Of course, after the Labor Day weekend, this entire board will change after we get a first look at teams in action.

The 2023 MEAC/SWAC Challenge between South Carolina State and Jackson State will be the Week 0 featured game on Saturday, August 26. ABC will televise the 7:30 PM ET kickoff as rookie head coach T.C. Taylor and the Tigers hope to exact revenge for the 2021 Celebration Bowl loss to Buddy Pough and the Bulldogs. It will be a contentious game with plenty of storylines, especially for Jackson State.

All of the pressure falls on last season's SWAC Champions. Taylor must make his mark early with a W before taking on Florida A&M in the 2023 Orange Blossom Classic in Week 1. For the Bulldogs, it will be another chance to showcase a well-coached and unappreciated football program guided by a legendary Buddy Pough.

Who will win? We shall see.

Published Aug 23, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends. Former founder and publisher of the Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on SI since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Collegiate Head Coach), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Mark Ingram (NFL RB), Terron Armstead (NFL OL), Jameis Winston (NFL QB), Cam Newton (NFL QB), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Chennis Berry (Collegiate Head Coach), Johnny Jones (Collegiate Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Women's Basketball Coach), Tremaine Jackson (Collegiate Head Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (Former VP of Basketball - New Orleans Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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