The HBCU football season will begin Saturday evening when the Alabama State Hornets and Howard Bison battle it out in the 2022 Cricket Wireless MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Before the glitz, glamor and excitement of the game begins, national media members of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association voted on the organization’s 2022 preseason football rankings.
Last season, Jackson State (11-2, SWAC Champions) and Bowie State (12-2, CIAA Champions) dominated the 2021 regular season in the Major and Mid-Major divisions. Today, HPSMA voters begin the new season by ranking these teams at the top of HBCU football.
The JSU Tigers and head coach Deion Sanders will kick off their highly anticipated 2022 campaign against the FAMU Rattlers and head coach Willie Simmons at the Orange Blossom Classic on September 4th.
Last season’s winner Jackson State ran the conference table to represent the SWAC against MEAC Champions South Carolina State University in the 2021 Celebration Bowl. However, Buddy Pough’s Bulldogs would upset the Tigers 31-10 and would capture the 2021 HBCU National Football Championship.
Can Florida A&M get revenge on JSU and take control of the SWAC with hopes of hoisting the 2022 SWAC Championship trophy?
In the Mid Major division, Bowie’s presence at No. 1 comes as a bit of a surprise after head coach Damon Wilson left to accept the Morgan State position. Voters are confident new head coach Kyle Jackson will keep the Bulldogs top billing.
The Albany State Golden Rams (10-2) won the 2021 SIAC Championship and eventually lost to the West Georgia Wolves in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Will 2022 finally be the year of the Fayetteville State Broncos in the CIAA and challenges for No. 1 recognition after falling to Bowie for four straight seasons in conference championship games?
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders and South Carolina State head coach Oliver Pough shake hands at midfield after the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday December 18, 2021. Cb47; Credit: © Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
2022 Preseason Rankings
Major Division
1. Jackson State 156 (9)T2. Florida A&M 136 (3)T2. South Carolina State 136 (3)4. North Carolina A&T State 98 (1)5. Alabama A&M 646. Alcorn State 637. Southern 558. Tennessee State 47 (1)9. Norfolk State 4610. North Carolina Central 42
Other teams receiving votes: Prairie View A&M 30, Grambling State 25 (first-place votes in parentheses) To see also : Netflix’s most popular movies and shows: what’s on trend June 30, 2022..
Mid-Major Division
1. Bowie State 130 (4)2. Albany State 126 (8)3. Fayetteville State 121 (1)4. On the same subject : Sports betting in North Carolina: When will it be legalized, how to bet online, where to see selection, promotions. Miles 71 (2)5. Savannah State 69 (1)6. Langston 607. Virginia Union 598. Morehouse 489. Tuskegee 38 (1)T10. Kentucky State 35T10. State of Virginia 35
Other teams receiving votes: Fort Valley State 30, Shaw 29, Winston-Salem State 21, Allen 20 (first-place votes in parentheses)
