COLUMBIA, S.C. – The undefeated Benedict College Tigers football team continues to be a staple in several polls.
Benedict, 4-0 and off to their best start since resuming the football program in 1995 and possibly for the first time in school history, remained second in the Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II poll, and third in the HBCU Division II Coaches Poll by BOXTOROW, as well as third in the HBCU Sports-Pro Media Association.
Despite winning last week, Benedict dropped one spot to 12th in the College Football Network HBCU 15, one spot ahead of this week's opponent, Fort Valley State. Benedict is the third-highest ranked Division II team in that poll. In the initial Black College Sports Network (BCSN) power rankings, Benedict is fifth, one spot behind Fort Valley State.
In the American Football Coaches Association Top-25 poll, Benedict received four votes, while Fort Valley State received three votes.
The Tigers defense also continues to rank among the best in Division II. The Tigers rank third in the country in scoring defense, giving up just 8.5 points per game; and fourth in total defense, giving up 201.5 yards per game.
The Tigers are scheduled to travel to take on Fort Valley State on Saturday at 2 p.m., although FVSU officials are watching the weather forecast.
Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II poll
| Rank |
Team |
Previous Rank |
Record |
| 1 |
Virginia Union |
1 |
4-0 |
| 2 |
Benedict |
2 |
4-0 |
| 3 |
Albany State |
3 |
3-1 |
| 4 |
Fort Valley State |
4 |
4-0 |
| 5 |
Langston |
6 |
4-0 |
| 6 |
Virginia State |
7 |
3-1 |
| 7 |
Fayetteville State |
5 |
2-2 |
| 8 |
Bowie State |
9 |
2-2 |
| 9 |
Shaw |
10 |
2-2 |
| 10 |
Lane |
NR |
2-2 |
HBCU Division II Coaches Poll by BOXTOROW
| No. |
Team (1st place) |
W-L |
Pts |
Last Week |
| 1 |
Virginia Union (18) |
4-0 |
207 |
1 |
| 2 |
Albany State (3) |
3-1 |
172 |
2 |
| 3 |
Benedict |
4-0 |
165 |
3 |
| 4 |
Fort Valley State |
4-0 |
142 |
4 |
| 5 |
Virginia State |
3-1 |
120 |
6 |
| 6 |
Bowie State |
2-2 |
92 |
7 |
| 7 |
Fayetteville State |
2-2 |
81 |
5 |
| 8 |
Shaw |
2-2 |
72 |
9 |
| 9 |
Lane |
2-2 |
36 |
10 |
| 10 |
Savannah State |
1-2 |
21 |
NR |
Others receiving votes: West Virginia State (2-2) 17, Tuskegee (2-2) 11, Chowan (2-2) 6, Lincoln (Pa.) (2-2) 5, Bluefield State (2-2) 5, Johnson C. Smith (0-3) 1, Miles (1-3) 1.
HBCU Sports-Pro Media Association
| RANK |
SCHOOL |
POINTS |
1st PLACE VOTES |
LAST WEEK |
| 1 |
Virginia Union |
192 |
15 |
1 |
| 2 |
Albany State |
164 |
3 |
2 |
| 3 |
Benedict College |
163 |
2 |
3 |
| 4 |
Fort Valley State |
147 |
|
4 |
| 5 |
Langston University |
108 |
|
5 |
| 6 |
Virginia State |
97 |
|
7 |
| 7 |
Bowie State |
59 |
|
9 |
| 8 |
Shaw University |
41 |
|
RV |
| 9 |
Fayetteville State |
40 |
|
6 |
| 10 |
Lane College |
25 |
|
NR |
Receiving Votes: Savannah State 19, West Virginia State 14, Tuskegee University 13
Dropped Out of Top Ten: Bluefield State, West Virginia State
Black College Sports Network Power Rankings
- Virginia Union
- Albany State
- Virginia State
- Fort Valley State
- Benedict
The College Football Network HBCU 15
1. Jackson State
2. North Carolina Central
3. Albany State
4. Virginia Union
5. Alcorn State
6. South Carolina State
7. North Carolina A&T
8. Hampton
9. Prairie View A&M
10. Tennessee State
11. Florida A&M
12. Benedict
13. Fort Valley State
14. Langston
15. Virginia State
