Sheridan Names TSU Black College Football Champs

PHOTO COURTESY TSU ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The latest Sheridan Poll had the Tennessee State football team in the top spot, deeming the squad the 2013 Black College Football Champions.

TSU edged out Bethune-Cookman, who fell in the opening round of the Division-I football playoffs, and two-time defending champion Winston-Salem State for the honor.

The Tigers are 7-1 in their last eight meetings against other HBCU’s and held a 3-1 mark this season. After falling to Bethune-Cookman, 12-9, Big Blue beat Florida A&M, Jackson State and Central State by a combined 126-29.

With its, 31-0, victory over Butler on Nov. 30, the Tennessee State football team became the first HBCU to win a playoff game since 1999.

The Black College Football title is the first for the Tigers since 1982, and the 12th all-time, second only to Grambling. 

1. Tennessee State Tigers (24)	10-4	267	1
2. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (5)	10-3	224	2
3. Winston-Salem State Rams (1)	10-2	207	3
4. South Carolina State Bulldogs	9-4	172	4
5. Alcorn State Braves	9-3	149	5
6. Southern Jaguars	9-4	134	6
7. Virginia State Trojans	9-1	83	7
8. Jackson State Tigers	8-4	62	8
9. Alabama State Hornets	8-4	58	9
10. Tuskegee Golden Tigers	8-3	35	10

Others receiving votes (in order of points): North Carolina A&T 27, Prairie View A&M 24, Albany State 17, Miles College 12, Morgan State 9.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION