The North Carolina Central Eagles moved into the FCS Top 20 today, making Saturday’s much anticipated matchup with #9 North Carolina A&T even bigger. The two rivals will battle with both an outright MEAC championship and Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl berth on the line. A capacity crowd is expected at O’Kelly–Riddick Stadium in Durham, where an official bowl invitation will be presented following the game.
In the SWAC, #16 Grambling State dispatched of Alabama State 21-0, recording their 2nd shutout in the last three games. The Tigers defense is ranked 2nd in the country in Scoring Defense, allowing only 13.3 points per game. On the other side of the ball the Tigers are ranked 4th in Scoring Offense, putting up an average of 46.2 points per game. They have won every SWAC game by at least 20 points.
Defending SWAC champion Alcorn State wrapped up a third consecutive East division title with a 61-7 win over Mississippi Valley State. It hasn’t always been easy for the Braves this season fighting through numerous injuries, but they will advance to play either Grambling State or Southern in the SWAC Championship game on December 3.
Nov. 19 Preview
All eyes will be on the Aggie-Eagle Classic Top 20 matchup in Durham. The winner will advance to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, while the loser will have to hope for a spot in the FCS playoffs. The Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Trophy Tour Presented by Coca-Cola will be on hand outside the stadium, so those in attendance should plan to stop by. More information regarding the tour stop can be found here.
In the SWAC, both Grambling State and Southern will attempt to stay unbeaten ahead of their big Bayou Classic matchup on November 26. Grambling will travel to Texas Southern, while Southern will host Mississippi Valley State as all-time SWAC rushing leader Lenard Tillery plays his last home game.
Full FCS Coaches Poll
| RANK | SCHOOL | POINTS | PREVIOUS | RECORD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Houston State (21) | 641 | 1 | 10-0 |
| 2 | Jacksonville State (2) | 615 | 2 | 9-1 |
| 3 | Eastern Washington (1) | 595 | 3 | 9-1 |
| 4 | North Dakota State (1) | 575 | 4 | 9-1 |
| 5 | James Madison (1) | 555 | 5 | 9-1 |
| 6 | The Citadel | 520 | 6 | 10-0 |
| 7 | Richmond | 490 | 8 | 8-2 |
| 8 | North Dakota | 440 | 10 | 9-2 |
| 9 | North Carolina A&T | 434 | 9 | 9-1 |
| 10 | South Dakota State | 400 | 12 | 7-3 |
| 11 | Chattanooga | 373 | 7 | 8-2 |
| 12 | Central Arkansas | 369 | 13 | 9-1 |
| 13 | Charleston Southern | 342 | 14 | 6-3 |
| 14 | Youngstown State | 309 | 15 | 7-3 |
| 15 | Villanova | 292 | 11 | 7-3 |
| 16 | Grambling State | 271 | 18 | 8-2 |
| 17 | Lehigh | 235 | 18 | 7-3 |
| 18 | Stamford | 213 | 21 | 7-3 |
| 19 | Wofford | 166 | NR | 7-3 |
| 20 | North Carolina Central | 118 | 25 | 8-2 |
| 21 | Montana | 84 | 17 | 6-4 |
| 22 | Kennesaw State | 69 | NR | 8-2 |
| 23 | Cal Poly | 56 | 20 | 6-4 |
| 24 | Western Illinois | 46 | 19 | 6-4 |
| 25 | Illinois State | 31 | NR | 6-5 |
Others receiving votes: San Diego (30), UT Martin (26), Weber State (26), Saint Francis (Pa.) (20), Northern Iowa (19), New Hampshire (16), Harvard (12), Liberty (11), Maine (10), Northern Arizona (8), Southeastern Louisiana (8), Princeton (5), Fordham (4), Penn (4), Gardner-Webb (3), Southern (3), Southern Utah (3), Northern Colorado (2), Tennessee State (1).
