Week 2 was easy to predict for the most part, but an early season heat check for your intrepid HBCU Sports prediction analyst doubled my losses from Week 1 anyway. That’s honestly a good thing; the more surprises and competitive games we have in Black College Football, the better.
Before we get to Week 3’s picks, here’s a quick look back at Week 2.
Last Week’s Record: 24-10
2024 Overall Record: 47-15
Best Pick: Hampton 31, Virginia Union 28 (Hampton won 33-19)
Worst Pick: Langston 20, Central Oklahoma 19 (UCO won 72-0…sorry, Lions)
Game Of the Week: Hampton (1-1) at Norfolk State (1-2), Saturday, Sept. 14, 4 p.m. EST, ESPN+
Even as Hampton has since left the MEAC for the Big South and now the Coastal Athletic Association, it’s good to see this rivalry game for now has withstood the conference realignment madness of college sports.
Both teams are coming off close and intense wins against former CIAA rivals – Hampton overcame an early fourth-quarter deficit to beat Virginia Union. At the same time, Norfolk State held off Virginia State.
This game is a battle of running backs as Hampton’s Elijah Burris ran for 145 yards in two touchdowns against the Panthers while Kevon King (137) did a number on the Trojans’ defense.
Hampton’s two-quarterback system of Chris Zellous and Malcolm Mays will keep the Spartans off-balance, but if NSU’s front seven can make life tough for the Pirates’ o-line, it may not matter.
Prediction: Norfolk State 20, Hampton 17
Clark Atlanta (2-0) at Florida Memorial (1-0), 1 p.m., HBCU Plus
If you like video game numbers in live action, CAU at FMU will be the game to watch this weekend.
Reigning SIAC offensive player of the year David Wright III leads the Panther offense while the Lions counter with the running back duo of Walter Wilbon and Marcus Barthell.
Florida Memorial was one of the best stories in HBCU football last season, ranking in the NAIA Top 15 in points per game and putting together a 6-4 season.
Clark Atlanta is searching for their first winning season since 2008, so the Panthers could be the story of 2024. Either way, expect a track meet between these two high-powered teams.
Prediction: Clark Atlanta 35, Florida Memorial 30
Southern (1-1, 0-0 SWAC) at Jackson State (1-1, 0-0 SWAC), Saturday Sept. 14, 7 p.m. EST, ESPN+
An early season showdown between two SWAC teams with division championship hopes will be a game to watch, especially since Southern will be turning to redshirt freshman Zae Teasett at quarterback. The Jaguars counter with Jacobian Morgan, a big, tough quarterback who can beat a team with his arm or legs.
This could very well be a preview of the SWAC championship game, so the team that starts out stronger could win. And as we’ve seen in the SWAC, that team could lose it, too. That’s what makes the league awesome.
Prediction: Jackson State 24, Southern 22
Lincoln (Pa.) (0-1, 0-0 CIAA) at Johnson C. Smith (2-0, 0-0) CIAA, Saturday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m., CIAASN
The Golden Bulls begin CIAA play after bullying Tuskegee and Morehouse of the SIAC to start their season, and they get a strong test from a Lincoln squad led by junior quarterback Isaiah Freeman, who is ready to make a move up the conference ladder.
The key for JCSU is to keep Freeman and his playmakers in check and feed running backs Quavaris Crouch and Kamarro Edmonds, who average a combined 161 yards per game on the ground.
Lincoln will have to make this a shootout if they’re to have a chance, which they’ve been known to do with Freeman at QB, so this should be an interesting matchup.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 28, Lincoln 21
Division I
Delaware State 20, Wagner 14
Howard 31, Morehouse 10
Ohio 27, Morgan State 14
Georgia Southern 30, South Carolina State 20
North Carolina 35, North Carolina Central 17
Tennessee State 21, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 18
Delaware 34, North Carolina A&T 21
Michigan State 32, Prairie View 13
Western Michigan 27, Bethune-Cookman 12
Murray State 24, Mississippi Valley State 13
Texas A&M-Commerce 33, Grambling State 24
Alcorn State 30, Edward Waters 10
Alabama State 19, Samford 14
Alabama A&M 29, Georgetown (Ky.) 12
Division II/NAIA
Winston-Salem State 21, Ohio Dominican 11
Bluefield State 24, Emory & Henry 16
Bowie State 22, Davenport 17
Elizabeth City State 13, Erskine (SC) 10
Shaw 31, Catawba 26
Allen 27, Livingstone 20
Valdosta State 33, Fayetteville State 28
Fort Valley State 25, Kentucky State 13
Benedict 20, Lane 19
Central State 23, Savannah State 21
West Virginia State 28, Carson-Newman 17
McKendree 34, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
Presbyterian 30, Virginia-Lynchburg 13
Texas College 27, Ottawa University Arizona 24
