South Carolina HBCUs Dominate National Rankings with Double No. 1 Sweep

The Palmetto State is making history in HBCU football. For the first time this season, South Carolina can claim both top spots in the national rankings, with South Carolina State sitting at No. 1 in Division I FCS and Benedict College leading Division II in the Week 1 edition of the 2026 Black College Football Poll released September 8.

This unprecedented double dominance showcases the strength of South Carolina HBCU football programs and places a spotlight on two teams that have started the season 2-0 while navigating vastly different competitive landscapes. South Carolina State leads the MEAC representative group in the FCS poll, while Benedict carries the banner for the SIAC in Division II.

Bulldogs Strengthen Grip on Division I

South Carolina State strengthened its hold on the top position after opening with two victories. The Bulldogs received 478 points, appeared on every ballot, and claimed 23 of 25 first-place votes. Their commanding lead reflects the respect they’ve earned from coaches and media members who cover HBCUs.

Behind the Bulldogs, Prairie View A&M made the largest move near the top, jumping from No. 5 to No. 2 with 370 points and one first-place vote. The defending SWAC champion earned that rise despite splitting their first two games, including a conference victory.

Alabama State and Jackson State landed in an exact tie for third place, each receiving 364 points. Delaware State rounded out the Top 5 despite a 1-1 start, while Grambling State moved from eighth to sixth after opening 2-0 and received one first-place vote.

Benedict Maintains Clear Division II Lead

Benedict remained the clear choice among Division II HBCUs after moving to 2-0. The Tigers totaled 342 points and received 15 of 19 first-place votes, establishing themselves as the team to beat in their classification.

Virginia State rose from third to second with 288 points and two first-place votes, while Fayetteville State made a notable jump, climbing two spots to No. 3. The Broncos collected 278 points and one first-place vote after their 2-0 start.

Kentucky State fell from second to fourth following a split in its first two games. Johnson C. Smith moved from sixth to fifth, keeping a second South Carolina HBCU football program inside the upper half of the Division II ranking and further cementing the state’s presence across both polls.

Tuskegee entered the Top 10 at No. 8 and received one first-place vote despite its 1-1 record, while Clark Atlanta moved up one place to ninth. The Division II Top 10 includes six SIAC programs and four CIAA programs, showcasing the competitive balance across conferences.

Understanding the Poll

The Black College Football Poll ranks HBCUs competing in NCAA Division I FCS and Division II. Coaches and media members cast ballots each week, creating a shared snapshot across the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, and SIAC. Teams receive 20 points for a first-place vote, followed by 18 for second and 16 for third, with the scale continuing in two-point increments through 10th place.

Early polls can shift quickly as schedules separate contenders from fast starters. For now, however, South Carolina stands alone with its HBCUs controlling both No. 1 positions. Week 2 will test whether that statewide edge can survive a deeper run into conference play and regional rivalries.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.