HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University football team retained the No. 1 position in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision rankings of the Black College Football Poll for the second consecutive week, earning 454 points and 13 first-place votes in Monday's rankings.
 
The Bulldogs finished 24 points ahead of second-ranked South Carolina State, which received 430 points and 10 first-place votes. Jackson State ranks third with 388 points, followed by Alcorn State with 246 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 242.
 
Alabama A&M leads seven Southwestern Athletic Conference programs in the Top 10. Prairie View A&M ranks sixth, Bethune-Cookman is ninth and Alabama State rounds out the rankings in 10th.
 
The Bulldogs moved into the top spot Oct. 26 and continued their winning momentum Saturday with a 31-28 victory over rival Alabama State in the 85th Magic City Classic at Legion Field. The victory improved Alabama A&M to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
 
Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV completed 22 of 35 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns while adding 60 rushing yards and a touchdown. Kolton Nero rushed for 81 yards and a score on six carries, while Byron Perrilliat contributed 68 rushing yards.
 
Linebacker DJ Barber led the defense with 13 tackles as the Bulldogs finished with 420 yards of total offense.
 
The Black College Football Poll is jointly sanctioned by the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA and SIAC, with separate rankings recognizing HBCU programs at the FCS and NCAA Division II levels.

 

BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL [November 2, 2026]
Rank	Points	Previous Week
1. Alabama A&M (13)	454	1
2. South Carolina State (10)	430	2
3. Jackson State	388	4
4. Alcorn State	246	10
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff	242	NR
6. Prairie View A&M	182	8
7. Delaware State	162	NR
8. North Carolina Central	142	NR
9. Bethune-Cookman	138	3
10. Alabama State	66	7
First Place Votes in Parentheses

 
 
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