The first full weekend of HBCU football is upon us, and if the MEAC/SWAC Challenge is any indication, we are in for an exciting, competitive season from Dover, Delaware, to Langston, Oklahoma.
Some 48 HBCU football programs begin the season with hopes for successful seasons that end either in Atlanta at the Celebration Bowl or in the NCAA/NAIA playoff system.
A new season also means I’m back with my weekly predictions for each week’s games, and my first season was a mostly successful one with a record of 235-82. I don’t have any expectations for Year Two other than chaos. Which is what makes HBCU Football great.
Each week will feature a Division I and Division II/NAIA game of the week, followed by a couple of key matchups and overall predictions, so let’s get started with Week 1.
Division I Game Of The Week:
North Carolina Central (0-0) vs. Alabama State (0-0) at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL (Orange Blossom Classic), Sunday, Sept. 1, 3 p.m. EST, ESPN
Both teams come into this game and the 2024 season with something to prove. North Carolina Central’s Celebration Bowl repeat dreams were crushed by Howard last season, while Alabama State is looking to finally get past both Jackson State and Florida A&M to win the SWAC Eastern Division crown.
North Carolina Central’s quarterback situation is settled as Walker Harris, the of the five passing touchdown game against Mississippi Valley State last season, is firmly entrenched as the starter. Alabama State is still deciding between Texas Southern transfer Andrew Body and Eastern Illinois transfer Jonah O’Brien.
Whichever team’s offense can get rolling first has the advantage, but Alabama State returns more than a few pieces from an outstanding defense, and while this won’t be Harris’ first collegiate start, it’s not hard to imagine the Hornets swarming him at every opportunity.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 20, Alabama State 17
Texas Southern at Prairie View, Labor Day Classic, Saturday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. CST, ESPN+
An always exciting and intense rivalry game will give the winner a leg up on the competition in the always unpredictable SWAC Western Division. Defending division champ Prairie View has won the last nine Labor Day Classics, though they had to sweat out a 37-34 overtime matchup last season.
Texas Southern made more news off the field than on it with its coaching search, which eventually led to veteran DB coach and former Houston Oilers all-pro cornerback Cris Dishman earning the job. Dishman is taking a positive approach to his first season on the job, and that will be needed against his long-time friend and former teammate Bubba McDowell, who is focused on getting the Panthers back to the SWAC championship game.
Prediction: Prairie View 24, Texas Southern 14
South Carolina State (0-0) at Florida A&M (1-0), Sat. Aug. 31, 6 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Rattlers overcame a 14-point deficit to edge out Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, where they faced some stiff resistance in the trenches. That particular battle won’t get any easier in their Bragg opener when South Carolina State and their returning big Bulldogs up front are led into battle by new head coach Chennis Berry.
SCSU will debut a new quarterback in Eric Phoenix, who led Berry’s first undefeated team at Benedict a couple of seasons ago and reunites with his coach after a year at Murray State. Meanwhile, Daniel Richardson proved last week that the Rattlers’ offense is in good hands – and surprisingly, strong legs as well.
Another line-of-scrimmage battle awaits, and now that Florida A&M has the experience and the home-field advantage on Saturday, both could be crucial in deciding the game.
Prediction: Florida A&M 27, South Carolina State 24
Division II/NAIA Game of the Week:
Benedict (0-0) vs. Virginia State (0-0), Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH (Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic), Sunday Sept. 1, 4 p.m. EST, NFL Network
The two-time defending SIAC champion Tigers face the CIAA-favored Trojans in the annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, a non-conference battle with Division II playoff implications and a sizable audience right out of the gate.
Ron Dickerson Jr., Chennis Berry’s replacement, has stockpiled the Benedict roster with more than a few newcomers and some returning players, such as preseason all-SIAC defensive lineman Aaron Miller, to keep the Tigers competitive.
Virginia State, 8-2 a year ago, looks to continue its tradition of success under Henry Frazier III, returning quarterback Romelo Williams and defensive tackle Cameron Davis to the fold.
This should be an intriguing matchup of teams who have postseason aspirations and haven’t seen each other much, if ever before, over the years.
Prediction: Virginia State 30, Benedict 20
Division I
Rutgers 31, Howard 17
Wake Forest 35, North Carolina A&T 10
Arkansas 34, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 13
Jackson State 28, Louisiana-Monroe, 24
Delaware State 21, Sacred Heart 20
UAB 27, Alcorn State 17
Morgan State 17, Hampton 14
Tennessee State 25, Mississippi Valley State 14
East Carolina 30, Norfolk State 19
South Florida 23, Bethune-Cookman 17
Auburn 38, Alabama A&M 14
Louisiana 28, Grambling 21
McNeese 33, Southern 24
Division II/NAIA
Shaw 20, Elizabeth City State 10
Virginia Union 35, Kentucky State 17
Livingstone 23, University of Charleston 14
Winston-Salem State 24, Bluefield State 20
Tuskegee 22, Johnson C. Smith 18
Morehead State 34, Central State 14
Fort Valley State 27, Clark Atlanta 16
Edward Waters 28, Morehouse 13
Valdosta State 31, Albany State 28
West Alabama 26, Miles 17
Wagner 37, Virginia-Lynchburg 12
