In Week 4 of the HBCU football season, former MEAC teams dip their feet back in conference waters to reignite historic rivalries.
Elsewhere, a pair of CIAA contests that could impact the championship race take place, and two historic SWAC programs meet for the first time in two years.
Here are the five games to watch in week 4 of the HBCU football season
Winston-Salem State vs. Virginia State
Day: September 21; Time: 1 pm ET
How to Watch: TheGrio
Virginia State returns to the football field after an idle week to face Winston-Salem State in each team’s conference opener.
The Rams have started the season hot, improving to 2-0 against Division II competition (lost to North Carolina A&T) following a 19-13 overtime win over Ohio Dominican.
This game will be a great test for Winston-Salem State, which will face a Virginia State team whose only game against a Division II opponent so far this year was a 23-7 win over Benedict.
Meanwhile, Virginia State begins its road to redemption after missing out on a berth in the CIAA championship game last season.
Hampton vs. Howard
Day: September 21; Time: 4 pm ET
The 99th annual Battle of the Real HU commences from the nation’s capital when the Howard Bison collides with the Hampton Pirates.
Hampton has owned this series in recent years, claiming seven straight victories over Howard dating back to 2015.
In last year’s contest, Hampton defeated Howard 35-34 despite trailing by as many as 17 points and trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter.
No matter which team is better on paper, this game is always exciting, and this iteration should be no different.
Virginia Union vs. Johnson C. Smith
Day: September 21; Time: 6 pm ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
The Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls will look to continue their winning ways when they welcome the reigning CIAA champion Virginia Union Panthers to Charlotte.
Johnson C. Smith improved its record to 3-0 following a 52-6 win over Lincoln (PA) in its home opener. It’s the first time the Golden Bulls have started a season 3-0 since 2013.
History has not been kind to Johnson C. Smith against Virginia Union, having lost its last four games to them. In the last four, They Have averaged over 34 points per game.
North Carolina A&T vs. North Carolina Central
Day: September 21; Time: 7 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPNU
The Aggie-Eagle Classic returns to Durham, North Carolina when the North Carolina Central Eagles host the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
This is the first time the Aggie-Eagle Classic will be played on North Carolina Central’s home field since 2018.
Close games have been challenging in this series, with the last seven contests ending in margins of 14 points or more.
The Eagles have won two straight over the Aggies and are looking to win three straight over them for the first time since 2016.
Jackson State vs. Grambling State
Day: September 21; Time: 7 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Two of the most historic programs in HBCU football will meet this Saturday. The Jackson State Tigers will face the Grambling State Tigers.
Jackson State and Grambling State come into this game after securing wins over Southern and Texas A&M-Commerce.
The last time they played against each other was in 2022, when Jackson State won 66-24. These teams are much more evenly matched than they were in 2022, which would make for a more thrilling game.
