So here we are at the conclusion of another exciting season of black college football. Three conference champions are in the books, and hopefully, the SWAC won’t come down to a ridiculous coin flip.
But while we wait, its a good time to look back on how the 2008 Black College Football Power Rankings developed on the field. A lot of people had problems with a ranking system based strictly on budgets, wins, player caliber and championships, but I still maintain its a true way to remove all bias from the ranking process.
Let’s take it from the top, shall we? There were several disappointing seasons, but so far, three of the four black college football conference champions were ranked in the top ten. Not bad for a system without bias.
1. Hampton – Started off the season as a valid number one, but a four-game slide has sunk Jerry Holmes’ first season at the helm.
2. Southern – Began the season as a championship favorite in the SWAC, and even with an uncharacteristic 6-4 record, they could end the season a coin flip away from the SWAC championship game.
3. Tuskegee- Still the best. Depending on how revenues were for their second-straight undefeated season, the Golden Tigers could ascend to the top of the 2009 rankings.
4. Norfolk State – A disappointing season for the Spartans on the heels of an amazing 2007 campaign.
5. Alabama A&M – The conference’s preseason favorite was an absolute bust in 2008.
6. Delaware State – A high pick on the heels of their 2007 MEAC championship, the Hornets returned to mediocrity in 2008.
7. Bethune-Cookman – The Wildcats made more money than any other black college football program in 2007. 2008 proved to be their payoff.
8. Jackson State – The Tigers can repeat as SWAC champions, in spite of a lackluster season.
9. South Carolina State – MEAC champions, an NCAA playoff berth, and the respect of the black college football nation. The Bulldogs earned it all.
10. Shaw – Back-to-back football championships are par for the course in the CIAA. Shaw is making the most of its turn.
The next group is where the rankings get interesting. Several programs from this preseason list had marked improvements from 2007, and will likely be in the top ten or even five in 2009.
11. Grambling State – Just edged out of the top ten, but the Tigers are once again in the hunt for a SWAC championship and a super season.
12. Howard – A horrible season. They should thank their lucky stars for a loyal fan base and some good players.
13. Virginia Union – The Panthers were quite a let down this season. Their meltdown was similar to Hampton’s.
14. Albany State – Another good year and a playoff appearance should move them up in 2009.
15. Clark-Atlanta – Doubled up their win total from a season ago, and should be much stronger program in 2009.
16. Alabama State – We didn’t expect the Hornets to compete for the championship, but they could’ve been better than just two victories on the year.
17. Kentucky State – Dead last in the conference, with the only bright side in having a better record than Howard.
18. Florida A&M – Joe Taylor and Curtis Pulley resurrected the Rattler program in 2008. Expect a top five ranking in 2009.
19. Morgan State – Looked like they could determine the MEAC championship picture, but have melted down late in the season.
20. UAPB – They lost by margins large and small this season, are are likely headed down in 2009.
Now we’re rounding up the third tier of our power rankings with a few more surprises in store. Several teams from this group were championship contenders. The others…well, not so much.
21. Fayetteville State – The Broncos nearly won their division, and nearly made the Division II playoffs. Can you say movin’ on up?
22. Johnson C. Smith – The Golden Bulls repeated their 2007 record in 2008. That’s not the way to gain power in the power rankings.
23. Prairie View A&M – You’ve got to feel bad for the Panthers. They’ve done everything they were supposed to, and a loss to Grambling may cost them a championship berth.
24. Elizabeth City State – Even though they got rocked in the conference championship, the Vikings had a tremendous season.
25. Stillman – Their preseason ranking wasn’t a fluke, as the cut their 2007 win total by more than half.
26. St. Paul’s – The Tigers duplicated their 2007 effort. Nothing lost, nothing gained.
27. Bowie State – Improved from their 2007 campaign and should contend in 2009.
28. Lane – Were not as good as they were in 2007, but they weren’t a pushover with their four conference wins.
29. St. Augustine’s – Actually doubled their 2007 win total and finished an impressive third in the CIAA Western division.
30. Texas Southern – Leagues better than they were last season, and will continue to improve.
And finally, we have our bottom ten. I must reiterate that fan support aka revenues plays a major factor in these rankings. Meaning that if fans don’t support, or an institution does not report, it can show in how your team falls in the rankings.
31. Fort Valley State – Lost a step this season but still a presence in the SIAC.
32. Morehouse – Along with Albany State, the House is still making it tough on Skegee year in and year out.
33. Miles – Two wins was nice, so they did it again.
34. Alcorn State – Who knows what it will take to bring Alcorn State back to respectability.
35. Virginia State – The Trojans finished with a .500 record, which is an accomplishment in the competitive CIAA.
36. North Carolina A&T – The Aggies should jump significantly just for winning a few games this year.
37. Mississippi Valley State- Won some games this year. Could be on the way up in 2009.
38. Benedict – Should really stick to basketball.
39. Livingstone – Won three games and got the monkey off of their backs this year.
