Bethune-Cookman atop Media, Coaches Poll after week one

Fuquay-Varina, NC - After its resounding 63-14 defeat of Prairie View A&M on national television in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Bethune-Cookman was voted #1 in the Boxtorow HBCU Football media and coaches polls. 

The Wildcats pick up where they left off a year ago when they were voted HBCU Football national champions in both polls.

Bethune-Cookman  received 13 of 16 first place votes in the media poll while receiving 13 of 15 first place votes from the coaches.

There was a tie for second place in the media poll between South Carolina State and Florida A&M.  South Carolina State received three first place votes despite its 21-6 loss to FBS opponent Central Michigan on Saturday.  Florida A&M defeated Fort Valley State 28-22 in its opener.

Grambling State, who won its opener 21-14 over Alcorn State in the Port City Classic in Shreveport, came in at the #4 spot, followed by Jackson State at #5, as the Tigers defeated Concordia-Selma 42-2.

The remainder of the media poll sees Albany State at #6, Alabama State at #7, Hampton at #8, Norfolk State at #9 and Texas Southern rounding out the poll at #10.

As for the coaches poll, Florida A&M received one first-place vote and came in at #2, followed by Grambling State at #3.  South Carolina State received the only other first place vote amongst the coaches and came in at #4, while Jackson State is #5.

Texas Southern, who was idle last week, finishes week one at #6.  Hampton, who came from behind to defeat Alabama A&M 21-20 in the Chicago Football Classic is #7, followed by Alabama State at #8.  Norfolk State defeated Virginia State 37-3 in the annual Labor Day Classic in Norfolk and came in at #9, while Tennessee State defeated Southern 33-7 in its annual John Merritt Classic and rounds out the top 10

The big matchup this week in HBCU Football features Bethune-Cookman hosting South Carolina State this Saturday in Daytona Beach, FL.  Both teams made the FCS Playoffs last year and were MEAC Co-Champions along with Florida A&M.  Other key games include Hampton hosting Florida A&M on Thursday, Jackson State vs. Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, and Texas Southern taking on Prairie View A&M in Houston.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW (Boxtorow) is the nationally syndicated sports talk radio show which places major emphasis on HBCU Sports.

The media poll is comprised of some of the top media members in the country who cover HBCU football. The coaches poll is voted on by the FCS HBCU coaches.  The media poll is in its fifth year and the coaches poll is in its third.

The Boxtorow FCS HBCU Coaches Top 10 Football Poll is voted on by the FCS HBCU football coaches. 

2011 BOXTOROW FCS HBCU COACHES TOP 10 FOOTBALL POLL  
As voted on by the FCS HBCU coaches

(Records as of 9/4/11)

(First place votes in parentheses)

Others: Delaware State (1-0) 6; Prairie View A&M (0-1) 6; Alcorn State (0-1) 2; Alabama A&M (0-1) 2.

2011 BOXTOROW HBCU MEDIA TOP 10 FOOTBALL POLL 

(Records as of 9/4/11)

(First place votes in parentheses)

Others receving votes: Morehouse (1-0) 20, Winston-Salem State (1-0) 20, Tennessee State (1-0) 20, Tuskegee (0-0) 16, Fort Valley State (0-1) 9, Virginia Union (2-0) 9, Delaware State (1-0) 8, Saint Augustine's (1-1) 7, North Carolina A&T (1-0) 7, Shaw (0-1) 6, Prairie View A&M (0-1) 3, Alabama A&M (0-1) 3, Alcorn State (0-1) 2, Bowie State (1-0) 2, Langston (1-0) 2.