Mississippi Valley State enters its second season under head coach Kendrick Wade, who is looking to take the next step in a program rebuild.
The Delta Devils finished their 2023 campaign with a 1-10 overall record, marking the first time they have failed to win at least two games in a season since 2018 (not including the 2020 spring season).
Here are our game-by-game predictions for Mississippi Valley State’s 2024 football season.
8/31 Tennessee State- [L]
Last Meeting: Tennessee State 26-20, 2019
Mississippi Valley State opens the season, matching Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic. Tennessee State is entering its fourth season under head coach Eddie George, coming off a year of improvement in 2023. They finished with a 6-5 overall record, marking their first winning season since 2017. The offseason was unkind to the Tigers as they could not retain Buck Buchanan award winner Terrell Allen after he entered the transfer portal. Still, Tennessee State has the more talented team and should come away with the win.
Record: 0-1
9/7 Lamar- [L]
Last Meeting: Lamar 23-20, 2019
The Delta Devils begin a three-game non-HBCU road trip on September 3, traveling to Texas to face Lamar University. The last time these two teams played each other, they needed an extra quarter of football, with Lamar squeaking by with an overtime win. Mississippi Valley State will have its work cut out, facing a team with momentum following a breakout performance in the 2023 season. Last year, Lamar finished with a 6-5 overall record, marking their first winning season since 2018. It will be an uphill battle for MVSU to come away with the win.
Record: 0-2
9/14 Murray State- [L]
Last Meeting: Murray State 35-0, 2021
Mississippi Valley State will then look forward to a clash with Missouri Valley Conference member Murray State, which was dominant in its last matchup with the Delta Devils. Murray State shut out MVSU 35-0 in 2021, and the Delta Devils were limited to 162 offensive yards. This should be an easy win once again for the Racers.
Record: 0-3
9/21 Nicholls State- [L]
Last Meeting: Nicholls State 41-26, 1998
Ending the three-game non-HBCU road trip, the Delta Devils once again dip their feet in the Southland Conference as they play against Nicholls State. This will be the first matchup between these two teams since 1998. Nicholls State is coming off a season in which it claimed the Southland Conference championship and a berth in the FCS playoffs. This will be another tough draw for the Delta Devils, as they will once again be massive underdogs.
Record: 0-4
9/28 Alcorn State- [L]
Last Meeting: Alcorn State 24-3, 2023
The Delta Devils’ home opener coincides with what will also be their conference opener when they clash with Alcorn State. Alcorn enters a new era after moving on from longtime head coach Fred McNair in the offseason. Despite this, the Braves will be a top contender in a wide-open SWAC West division and should breeze by an MVSU team they are much more talented than.
Record: 0-5, 0-1
10/12 Alabama State- [L]
Last Meeting: Alabama State 20-3, 2023
In their first divisional game of the year, Mississippi Valley State goes on the road to Montgomery to battle with Alabama State. Although MVSU recently beat Alabama State in 2021 on its home field, the series has not been close when the Hornets have played host. Since 2010, Bama State has won every home game against Mississippi Valley State by an average margin of 22 points. Considering the Hornets are also a top contender for the SWAC title this year, making the game close is probably the best-case scenario for the Delta Devils.
Record: 0-6, 0-2
10/19 Bethune-Cookman- [L]
Last Meeting: Bethune-Cookman 20-7, 2023
The Delta Devils stay in SWAC East as they return home for their homecoming contest against Bethune-Cookman. The last time MVSU played Bethune-Cookman on its homecoming, it did not go so well as the Wildcats spoiled the party, winning 45-35. Following a solid offseason, Bethune-Cookman, on paper, is expected to look the best it’s been since entering the SWAC in 2021. This does not bode well for a Mississippi Valley State team that has lost two straight to Bethune-Cookman.
Record: 0-7, 0-3
10/26 Arkansas-Pine Bluff- [W]
Last Meeting: Mississippi Valley State 42-17, 2023
In a matchup between teams that finished at the bottom of their division in the SWAC, Mississippi Valley State goes on the road to face the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions. Last year, Mississippi Valley State’s only win came against UAPB in their homecoming contest. This game could go either way, but if there was any game in which MVSU could most likely get its first win, it’s this one.
Record: 1-7, 1-3
11/2 Prairie View A&M- [W]
Last Meeting: Prairie View A&M 31-12, 2023
In their final cross-divisional matchup of the season, the Delta Devils welcome the Prairie View A&M Panthers to Itta Bena. Before last season, Mississippi Valley State had Prairie View’s number winning two straight against the Panthers. This includes a 27-7 win in 2022 that prevented the Panthers from clinching a berth in the SWAC championship game. Prairie View got its revenge against the Delta Devils last year and will look to make it two straight against them this year.
Record: 2-7, 2-3
11/9 Jackson State- [L]
Last Meeting: Jackson State 21-6, 2023
In the first of a two-game road trip, Mississippi Valley State faces a Jackson State team hoping to be in the mix for the divisional crown at this point in the season. In their last two meetings against Jackson State, Mississippi Valley has lost by a combined score of 70-13. While Jackson State has gotten better than the previous year, MVSU has not seen any significant improvement. This spells disaster for the Delta Devils, who will be just another bump in the road in the Tigers’ quest to get back to the top of the SWAC.
Record: 2-8, 2-4
11/16 Florida A&M- [L]
Last Meeting: Florida A&M 31-7, 2023
Mississippi Valley State plays its final road game of the season in Tallahassee against the defending conference champion Florida A&M. After a close, competitive game against FAMU in 2021, the Delta Devils have not come close to beating the Rattlers since. They have lost by a margin of over 20 points in each of their last two matchups against Florida A&M. The chances of this year’s game being any different are not very likely.
Record: 2-9, 2-5
11/23 Alabama A&M- [L]
Last Meeting: Alabama A&M 30-21, 2023
Mississippi Valley State concludes its 2024 season against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on its home field. These two teams split their last two games against each other, with Bama A&M getting the best of the Delta Devils in their matchup last year. This rare matchup for Mississippi Valley State could go either way, as neither team significantly improved in the offseason. Valley is looking to beat A&M for the second time in three years, something they have not done since 2015.
Record: 2-10, 2-6
