HBCU Polls: Benedict takes top spot
Takeaways from the HBCU Football D2 Coaches Poll Opening Week:
- Benedict left to no doubt against defending HBCU D2 champ Johnson C. Smith defeating the Golden Bulls 32-10 and gaining the top spot
- The Tigers opened the preseason at No. 3 in the poll
- JCSU dropped to No. 5
- No. 2 Kentucky State and No. 3 Virginia State both moved up four spots from the preseason poll, both teams won respective games Saturday
In its fifth year, the HBCU Division II Coaches Poll is administered by BOXTOROW, and is voted on by the HBCU NCAA Division II coaches.
2026 HBCU D2 Football Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW
Opening Week
(Records through August 30, 2026)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | 2025 Final Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benedict (12) | 1-0 | 145 | 3 |
| 2 | Kentucky State (1) | 1-0 | 105 | 6 |
| 3 | Virginia State (1) | 1-0 | 101 | 7 |
| 4 | Fayetteville State | 1-0 | 92 | 6 |
| 5 | Johnson C. Smith | 0-1 | 72 | 1 |
| 6 | Edward Waters | 1-0 | 67 | 8 |
| 7 | Albany State (1) | 0-1 | 57 | 4 |
| 8 | Allen | 1-0 | 54 | 9 |
| 9 | Virginia Union | 0-1 | 53 | 2 |
| 10 | Fort Valley State | 1-0 | 25 | NR |
Others receiving votes: West Virginia State 21, Livingstone 8, Tuskegee 8, Lincoln (Mo.) 5, Shaw 3, Morehouse 2, Elizabeth City State 1, Miles 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
