Bethune-Cookman, Miles College top the band rankings again
N.C. A&T very close to Marching Wildcats in Division I; Elizabeth City State makes big move up in Division II poll
Here are the newest ESPN/The Undefeated Band Rankings for the Oct. 1-14 judging period, the third installment this season.
Bethune-Cookman regains the top position in the Division I rankings, and for the second straight Division II ranking, the Miles College Purple Marching Machine is No. 1. North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine, which had been the top Division I band, is now No. 2.
Competition at the top of the rankings is fierce. Only three points separated the top two Division I bands.
“What makes our rankings so credible and unique is that the adjudicators never adjudicate the same area consecutively,” said Don P. Roberts, executive consultant for the ESPN/The Undefeated ranking committee. “Therefore, a band that continues to make the Top 10 should feel really good about their progress because they are consistently ranked as one of the top programs by a different set of eyes and ears.
“Unlike football, our rankings are based on individual performances and not a full body of work over the course of the season. If you were unranked one week, you can jump to No. 1 in one ranking.”
Bethune-Cookman University
Norfolk State University
Jackson State University
Top 10 HBCU Division I Bands 
| Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. +1 Bethune-Cookman | 4. | 1. | 1. | 6. | 10. |
| 2. -1 North Carolina A&T | 9. | 3. | 2. | 1. | 3. |
| 3. +1 Jackson State | 3. | 5. | 4. | 5. | 2. |
| 4. +4 Norfolk State | 2. | 7. | 7. | 2. | 5. |
| 5. +1 Southern | 18. | 2. | 3. | 3. | 17. |
| 6. +1 Prairie View A&M | 1. | 15. | 8. | 4. | 7. |
| 7. -2 Tennessee State | 15. | 4. | 5. | 7. | 19. |
| 8. -5 Alabama A&M | 14. | 6. | 11. | 11. | 14. |
| 9. Alabama State | 8. | 20. | 14. | 12. | 1. |
| 10. Uni. Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 10. | 11. | 9. | 8. | 22. |
Drum Major 
- Prairie View A&M
- Norfolk State
- Jackson State
- Bethune-Cookman
- Alcorn State
Drill and Design
- Bethune-Cookman
- Southern
- North Carolina A&T
- Tennessee State
- Jackson State
Musicality
- Bethune-Cookman
- North Carolina A&T
- Southern
- Jackson State
- Tennessee State
Percussion 
- North Carolina A&T
- Norfolk State
- Southern
- Prairie View A&M
- Jackson State
Auxiliaries 
- Alabama State
- Jackson State
- North Carolina A&T
- South Carolina State
- Norfolk State
Miles College
Central State University
Langston University
Top 10 HBCU Division II Bands 
| Overall Rank | Drum Major | Drill Design | Musicality | Percussion | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Miles | 11. | 1. | 1. | 3. | 8. |
| 2. Virginia State | 13. | 6. | 2. | 1. | 10. |
| 3. +4 Talladega | 12. | 4. | 5. | 5. | 6. |
| 4. +6 Elizabeth City State | 5. | 3. | 11. | 4. | 12. |
| 5. Central State | 18. | 5. | 7. | 2. | 5. |
| 6. -3 Benedict | 9. | 2. | 8. | 8. | 18. |
| 7. +1 Morehouse | 7. | 8. | 15. | 14. | 3. |
| 8. Fort Valley State | 4. | 9. | 6. | 7. | 19. |
| 9. Langston | 2. | 12. | 12. | 10. | 2. |
| 10. -6 Winston-Salem State | 14. | 10. | 3. | 11. | 16. |
Drum Major 
- Lane
- Langston
- Clark Atlanta
- Fort Valley State
- Elizabeth City State
Drill and Design
- Miles
- Benedict
- Elizabeth City State
- Talladega
- Central State
Musicality
- Miles
- Virginia State
- Winston-Salem State
- Edward Waters
- Talladega
Percussion 
- Virginia State
- Central State
- Miles
- Elizabeth City State
- Talladega
Auxiliaries 
- Albany State
- Langston
- Morehouse
- Virginia Union
- Central State
Band judging criteria
Drum Major: Conducting, baton carriage, utilization of space, marching technique, accuracy and definition, style, and discipline.
Drill and Design: Intervals and spacing; creativity; marching style; precision in timing, definition of patterns, showmanship, instrument carriage and showmanship.
Musicality: Tone, intonation, balance, technique, consistency of style, interpretation and musical effect.
Percussion: Rudimental excellence, general appearance, showmanship, technique/stick control, drill execution, style consistency and discipline.
Auxiliaries: Dance/flag routine, baton/flag carriage, utilization of space, marching/strut technique, uniform, style and more.