They have won five straight games. They will win the MEAC championship Saturday if they beat arch-rival N.C. Central in Durham at 2 p.m. The Aggies clinched at least a share of the title with its 34-0 win over Savannah State last Saturday.

The Aggies are nationally ranked for the first time since winning the MEAC championship in 2003. The Aggies were also the main headline for the Sports Network top-25 story this week: “North Carolina A&T Earns First Ranking Since 2003.”

“I think this means a lot to not only us but all the Aggies,” said head coach Rod Broadway. “It’s great that our fans have their pride back and have a little pep in their step. To come from 1-10 to 9-2 to having a chance to win our conference outright, it’s truly a good time around here.”

The Aggies (9-2, 6-1 MEAC), are No. 1 in all three black college polls (Box To Row, Sheridan Broadcasting Network and Heritage Sports Network),

New Hampshire was the top-ranked team for the second straight week followed by Coastal Carolina, a team that beat A&T in Greensboro by one earlier this season. Defending national champion North Dakota State was third, followed by Jacksonville State, Eastern Washington, Villanova, Fordham, Illinois State, Chattanooga and Southeastern Louisiana.