College football is indeed in the air.
In two weeks, HBCU programs at the Division I level will take the field to begin their quest for the Celebration Bowl or the FCS playoffs.
Who has the toughest road to their dream destinations? We examine the schedules of the MEAC and SWAC, as well as the HBCU representatives in the Coastal Athletic Association and OVC-Big South, to see who has the toughest schedule.
The higher the grade, the tougher the schedule. Here’s who has the easiest — and most difficult — path through the regular season.
MEAC
Delaware State
Home games: Wagner 09/14, Richmond 09/21, Saint Francis (PA) 10/05, Morgan State 11/09, North Carolina Central 11/23.
Away games: at Hawaii 08/24, at Sacred Heart 08/31, at Campbell 09/28, at Robert Morris 10/12, at South Carolina State 10/26, at Howard 11/02, at Norfolk State 11/6.
Outlook: The Hornets start the season on opposite ends of the country as a trip to Hawaii is followed by a visit to Sacred Heart. Coming to Alumni Stadium are powerhouses such as FCS playoff participants Richmond and North Carolina Central with visits to defending MEAC champion Howard and Campbell mixed in. For a program who hasn’t had a winning season since 2012, this might be another “wait until next year” scenario for DSU.
Schedule Difficulty: B+
Howard
Home games: Mercyhurst 09/07, Hampton 09/21, Sacred Heart 10/12, Tennessee State 10/19, Delaware State 11/02, South Carolina State 11/09.
Away/neutral site games: At Rutgers 08/29, vs. Morehouse at Met Life Stadium 09/14, at Princeton 09/28, at Norfolk State 10/26, at North Carolina Central 11/15, at Morgan State 11/23.
Outlook: The road certainly will be no crystal stair for the Bison as they entertain Tennessee State for homecoming, a likely improved South Carolina State team and the annual battle of the HUs with Hampton at Audi Field. Their road schedule begins with Rutgers and includes a much-anticipated showdown with North Carolina Central the next to last week of the season. If the Bison repeat as MEAC champions, they certainly will have earned it.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Morgan State
Home games: Virginia-Lynchburg 09/21, Lincoln (PA), 10/05, Merrimack 10/12, Norfolk State 11/02, South Carolina State 11/16, Howard 11/23
Away games: At Hampton 08/31, at Towson 09/07, at Ohio 09/14, at Stony Brook 09/28, at North Carolina Central 10/26, at Delaware State 11/09.
Outlook: The Bears start 2024 with three straight road games against tough competition, followed by two winnable games at home in VUL and LUPA before MEAC play starts. Morgan’s usually ambitious scheduling is subdued a bit by a D-II and D-we’re not sure program on the home schedule, but at least it will keep them healthy heading into the stretch drive.
Schedule Difficulty: B
Norfolk State
Home games: Virginia State 09/07, Hampton 09/14, Towson 10/12, Howard 10/26, Delaware State 11/16.
Away/neutral site games: Florida A&M (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) 08/24, at East Carolina 08/31, at VMI 09/21, vs. North Carolina Central (Circle City Classic) 09/28, at Sacred Heart 10/05, at Morgan State 11/02, at South Carolina State 11/23.
Outlook: Norfolk State has plenty of classic games on its schedule, but its non-conference PWI matchups (VMI and ECU) aren’t too far away from home, so that helps. If it can pick up wins against VSU and Hampton, then everyone else should watch out for Dawson Odums’ Spartans in 2024.
Schedule Difficulty: B+
North Carolina Central
Home games: Elon 09/07, North Carolina A&T 09/21, Virginia-Lynchburg 10/12, Morgan State 10/26, Howard 11/15.
Away/neutral site games: Vs. Alabama State (Orange Blossom Classic) 09/01, at North Carolina 09/14, vs. Norfolk State (Circle City Classic) 09/28, at Campbell 10/05, at South Carolina State 10/31, at Delaware State 11/23.
Outlook: The preseason pick to win the MEAC, Central has a packed schedule featuring Alabama State, Elon, North Carolina, and a Friday night showdown with Howard University in mid-November. The Eagles always schedule hard, and with an ACC team on their schedule as well as potential FCS playoff team Elon, they’re ready for another fight on the way to Atlanta.
Schedule Difficulty: A
South Carolina State
Home games: North Carolina A&T 09/28, Fort Valley State 10/19, Delaware State 10/26, North Carolina Central 10/31, Norfolk State 11/23.
Away games: At Florida A&M 08/31, at the Citadel 09/07, at Georgia Southern 09/14, at Tennessee Tech 10/05, at Howard 11/09, at Morgan State 11/16.
Outlook: Chennis Berry will look to lead the Bulldogs back to prominence with a difficult schedule that includes streaks of road, home, and road again before finishing at home against Norfolk State. Early tests in Celebration Bowl champ FAMU, Georgia Southern, and North Carolina A&T will tell just how improved this South Carolina State team can be.
Schedule Difficulty: A
SWAC
Eastern Division
Alabama A&M
Home games: Kentucky State 09/07, Georgetown (KY) 09/14, Bethune-Cookman 10/12, Southern 11/02, Grambling 11/14.
Away/neutral site games: At Auburn 08/31, at Austin Peay 09/21, at Florida A&M 09/28, vs. Jackson State (Gulf Coast Classic) 10/05, vs. Alabama State (Magic City Classic) 10/26, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/09, at Mississippi Valley State 11/23.
Outlook: The Bulldogs start tough with Auburn, visit Austin Peay before SWAC play starts at FAMU, and then play Jackson State in the Gulf Coast Classic. In what could be a make-or-break season for AAMU, getting off to a good start will be key with home games against Division II and NAIA opponents.
Schedule Difficulty: A-
Alabama State
Home games: Miles 09/07, Florida A&M 10/05, Mississippi Valley State 10/12, Jackson State 11/16, Prairie View A&M 11/23, Tuskegee 11/28.
Away/neutral site games: Vs. North Carolina Central (Orange Blossom Classic) 09/01, at Samford 09/14, at Bethune-Cookman 09/28, vs. Alabama A&M (Magic City Classic) 10/26, vs. Alcorn State (Port City Classic) 11/02, at Grambling 11/09.
Outlook: The preseason division favorite, the Hornets have a unique schedule that features three classics, a visit to Samford, and a home game with an always dangerous Miles team.
This feels like the year Eddie Robinson Jr. and ASU fulfill their potential as division champions, but any hiccups could be costly.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Bethune-Cookman
Home games: Mercer 09/07, Clark Atlanta 09/21, Alabama State 09/28, Jackson State 10/26, Grambling 11/02
Away/neutral site games: At USF 08/31, at Western Michigan 09/14, at Alabama A&M 10/12, at Mississippi Valley State 10/19, at Southern 11/09, at Texas Southern 11/16, vs. Florida A&M (Florida Classic) 11/23.
Outlook: The Wildcats face difficult challenges with division opponents, but they must also beware of Mercer and what will likely be an improved Clark Atlanta team invading Daytona Beach Stadium in September. Two wins there could serve notice that Raymond Woodie’s gang is indeed a new breed of cat.
Schedule Difficulty: A-
Florida A&M
Home games: South Carolina State 08/31, Alabama A&M 09/28, Southern 10/26, Texas Southern 11/02, Mississippi Valley State 11/16.
Away/neutral site games: Vs. Norfolk State (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) 08/24, at Miami (FL) 09/07, at Troy 09/21, at Alabama State 10/05, at Jackson State 10/19, at Prairie View A&M 11/09, vs. Bethune-Cookman (Florida Classic) 11/23.
Outlook: A lot of turnover marked the Rattlers’ offseason, but once the ball is on the grass, they certainly know how to turn it on when necessary. Trips to Miami and Troy highlight the non-conference schedule while their usual SWAC East battles are complemented by the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Florida Classic at the end of the regular season.
There’s a good chance FAMU won’t go through SWAC play undefeated this season, but it would not be smart to count them out for a chance to defend their Celebration Bowl title.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Jackson State
Home games: Lane 09/07, Southern 09/14, Florida A&M 10/19, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/02, Mississippi Valley State 11/09.
Away/neutral site games: At Louisiana-Monroe 08/31, at Grambling 09/21, at Texas Southern 9/28, vs. Alabama A&M (Gulf Coast Classic) 10/05, at Bethune-Cookman 10/26, at Alabama State 11/16, at Alcorn State 11/23.
Outlook: Jackson State looks to return to the top of the SWAC East mountain in 2024, and the Tigers have no weeks off, even with SIAC opponent Lane visiting Mississppi’s capital in September.
The key games will of course be SWAC East battles, with a home game against defending conference champion FAMU and a late-season visit to would-be winner Alabama State, JSU will definitely have its hands full.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Mississippi Valley State
Home games: Alcorn State 09/28, Bethune-Cookman 10/19, Prairie View A&M 11/02, Alabama A&M 11/23.
Away games: At Tennessee State 08/31, at Lamar 09/07, at Murray State 09/14, at Nicholls 09/21, at Alabama State 10/12, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10/26, at Jackson State 11/09, at Florida A&M 11/16.
Outlook: Eight road games, including the first four of the season, do not bode well for the Delta Devils’ chances at a surprise season, but the good news is they’ll unveil new turf and a new scoreboard at Rice-Totten Stadium against Alcorn State the final Saturday in September. Only another HBCU is deserving of playing on that new, hallowed ground.
The rebuild continues for Valley, but an upset here or there could give the program confidence for 2025.
Schedule Difficulty: A+
Western Division
Alcorn State
Home games: Edward Waters 09/14, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10/05, Texas Southern 11/09, Jackson State 11/23.
Away/neutral site games: At UAB 08/29, at Vanderbilt 09/07, at McNeese 09/21, at Mississippi Valley State 09/28, at Grambling 10/12, at Southern 10/19, vs. Alabama State (Port City Classic) 11/02, at Prairie View A&M 11/16.
Outlook: Favorited to win the Western Division, the Braves start tough at UAB, Vanderbilt and McNeese three of the first four weeks of the season, as well as having to travel to Grambling, Southern and defending division champ Prairie View.
If Alcorn is to get back to the SWAC title game, they’ll have to be Road Warriors that would make the late Hawk and Animal proud.
Schedule Difficulty: A+
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Home games: Arkansas Baptist 09/07, Central Arkansas 09/21, Prairie View A&M 10/11, Mississippi Valley State 10/26, Alabama A&M 11/09, Texas Southern 11/23.
Away/neutral site games: At Arkansas 08/29 vs. Tennessee State (Heritage Classic) 09/14, at Alcorn State 10/05, at Grambling 10/19, at Jackson State 11/02, at Southern 11/16.
Outlook: The Golden Lions played more than a few games last year, and having two early home games against Arkansas Baptist and Central Arkansas can give them a significant boost going into the SWAC season.
UAPB wants to be better than they were in 2023, so if they can somehow sneak into the always Wild Wild SWAC West, 2024 will be a rousing success.
Schedule difficulty: A-
Grambling
Home games: Tuskegee 09/07, Jackson State 09/21, Alcorn State 10/12, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10/19, Alabama State 11/09.
Away/neutral site games: At Louisiana 08/31, at Texas A&M-Commerce 09/14, vs. Prairie View A&M (State Fair Classic) 09/28, at Texas Southern 10/26, at Bethune-Cookman 11/02, at Alabama A&M 11/14, vs. Southern (Bayou Classic) 11/23.
Outlook: The Hue Jackson experiment has ended, and now it’s Mickey Joseph’s turn to try to lead the Tigers back to SWAC glory. Grambling has an HBCU-heavy schedule starting with Tuskegee at home Sept. 7 and the annual SWAC West battles with some Eastern Division flavor mixed in—a good enough balance to test the new era of Tigers football and find out just how quickly they can put the past behind them.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Prairie View A&M
Home games: Texas Southern (Labor Day Classic) 08/31, Southern 09/21, Texas A&M-Commerce 10/26, Florida A&M 11/09, Alcorn State 11/16.
Away/neutral site games: At Northwestern State 09/07, at Michigan State 09/14, at Incarnate Word 10/05, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10/11, at Mississippi Valley State 11/02, at Alabama State 11/23.
Outlook: The defending SWAC West champions will certainly have to fight to keep the title with so much change within their own division and the conference as a whole. A big trip to Michigan State is about staying healthy while hoping to compete with similar competition in Northwestern State and Incarnate Word.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Southern
Home games: Savannah State 09/07, Nicholls 10/05, Alcorn State 10/19, Bethune-Cookman 11/09, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/16.
Away/neutral site games: At McNeese 08/31, at Jackson State 09/14, at Prairie View A&M 09/21, at Texas Southern 10/12, at Florida A&M 10/26, at Alabama A&M 11/02 vs. Grambling (Bayou Classic) 11/23.
Outlook: The Jaguars ended 2023 with a comeback win over bitter rival Grambling in the Bayou Classic, so that should provide a momentum boost coming into a 2023 campaign that features trips to McNeese, Jackson State, Prairie View and Florida A&M.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Texas Southern
Home games: Jackson State 09/28, Virginia-Lynchburg 10/05, Southern 10/12, Grambling 10/26, Bethune-Cookman 11/16.
Away games: At Prairie View A&M (Labor Day Classic) 08/31, at Rice 09/07, at Lamar 09/21, at Florida A&M 11/02, at Alcorn State 11/09, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11/23.
Outlook: The Tigers do not have an easy time of it in 2024, save for a visit from Virginia-Lynchburg, but visits to Rice and Lamar in the non-conference schedule, as well as the Labor Day Classic against defending division champion and rival Prairie View welcome new head coach Cris Dishman to the SWAC in a major way.
Schedule Difficulty: A
Coastal Athletic Association
Hampton
Home games: Morgan State 08/31, Virginia Union 09/07, Rhode Island 10/05, Elon 10/26, Villanova 11/02, Richmond 10/16.
Away games: At Norfolk State 09/14, at Howard 09/21, at William & Mary 09/28, at North Carolina A&T 10/12, at Towson 11/09, at Albany 11/23.
Outlook: In a 16-team league, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle, which is why Hampton needs to take care of business. Their first four games come against old MEAC and CIAA rivals. If they can do that and steal a Coastal game or two, they’ll be in position for bigger and better things in 2025.
Schedule Difficulty: A
North Carolina A&T
Home games: Winston-Salem State 09/07, Delaware 09/14, Hampton 10/19, William & Mary 11/02, Elon 11/23.
Away games: At Wake Forest 08/29, at North Carolina Central 09/21, at South Carolina State 09/28, at Richmond 10/05, at Campbell 10/26, at Villanova 11/09, at Towson 11/16.
Outlook: The Aggies face a few familiar foes themselves to start 2024 as they look to rebound from one of the most forgetful seasons in program history. Time will tell if NC A&T can regain their Celebration Bowl form a few years ago, but in a conference like the Coastal, it will be a challenge to break into that top half this season.
Schedule Difficulty: A
OVC-Big South
Tennessee State
Home games: Mississippi Valley State 08/31, Charleston Southern 09/28, Eastern Illinois 10/12, UT-Martin 11/02, Southeast Missouri 11/23.
Away/neutral site games: At North Dakota State 09/14 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Heritage Classic) 09/14, at Tennessee Tech 09/21, at Lindenwood 10/05, at Howard 10/19, at Western Illinois 11/09, at Gardner-Webb 11/6.
Outlook: Big Blue was picked fourth in the OVC-Big South partnership’s preseason standings, but this team has a point to prove. Getting off to a good start against Valley, UAPB, and the usual suspects, Charleston Southern and Tennessee Tech, will be huge. The biggest game on their schedule is the homecoming trip to Howard, which should be an interesting event on—and off—the field.
Schedule Difficulty: B+