Grambling leads preseason HBCU football coaches poll

Grambling, which nearly beat Arizona in its opener last year before winning 11 consecutive games, will open the 2017 football season as the No. 1 team in the BOXTOROW HBCU Coaches Poll.

The Tigers, who play in the Championship Subdivision, received 18 of a possible 22 first-place votes. They were 9-0 in the SWAC last year, defeated Alcorn State in the SWAC title game and then beat North Carolina Central in the Celebration Bowl on ABC.

In its ninth year, the BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches poll is administered by "From the Press Box to Press Row" and is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches.

Note: Records are through Dec. 17, 2016; first-place votes in parentheses.

No., Team, W-L, Pts., 2016 Final Poll

1. Grambling (18), 11-1, 206, 1

2. North Carolina Central (2), 9-3, 193, 2

3. North Carolina A&T (1), 9-3, 164, 3

4. Southern (1), 8-3, 135, 4

5. Tennessee State, 7-4, 130, 6

6. Prairie View A&M, 7-4, 100, 5

7. Alcorn State, 5-6, 79, 7

8. South Carolina State, 5-6, 69, 8

9. Bethune-Cookman, 4-6, 50, 10

10. Hampton, 5-6, 43, 9

Others receiving votes: Alabama State (4-7) 13, Florida A&M (4-7) 6, Alabama A&M (4-7) 6, Jackson State (3-8) 6, Morgan (3-8) 3, Texas Southern (4-7) 1.