---
title: "Jackson State Retakes No. 1 in HBCU Football Polls"
url: https://www.hereboston.com/2026/10/20/jackson-state-no-1-hbcu-football-polls-alabama-am-no-2/
date: 2026-10-20T09:58:37-04:00
modified: 2026-10-20T09:58:37-04:00
author: "HERE City National Desk"
categories: ["National", "Sports"]
site: "HERE Boston"
attribution: "HERE Boston"
---

# Jackson State Retakes No. 1 in HBCU Football Polls

> JACKSON, Miss. — Jackson State is back on top of the HBCU football rankings this week, reclaiming No. 1 in both the coaches and media polls after Morgan State's stumble opened the door. The Tigers, now 6-1, beat Florida A&M 27-17 on Saturday and collected nine of the 17 first-place votes from coaches. Alabama A&M

*Source: [HERE Boston](https://www.hereboston.com/2026/10/20/jackson-state-no-1-hbcu-football-polls-alabama-am-no-2/) — October 20, 2026 by HERE City National Desk*

JACKSON, Miss. — Jackson State is back on top of the HBCU football rankings this week, reclaiming No. 1 in both the coaches and media polls after Morgan State's stumble opened the door.

The Tigers, now 6-1, beat Florida A&M 27-17 on Saturday and collected nine of the 17 first-place votes from coaches.

Alabama A&M was the week's big mover. The Bulldogs jumped to No. 2 in both polls after hanging 61 points on Grambling State in a 30-point homecoming rout, and they also rose one spot to second in the Black College Football Poll released Monday, earning 372 points after sitting third a week earlier.

South Carolina State held at No. 3 coming off an open date, keeping five first-place votes in each poll and finishing one point back of Alabama A&M in the coaches balloting, 146 to 145.

Morgan State, last week's No. 1, fell to fourth in both after a 25-16 loss to Tennessee State.

The coaches poll is in its 18th season and is voted on by head coaches in the Football Championship Subdivision, while the media poll, now in its 20th year, draws on reporters who cover HBCU football.