Last Saturday of HBCU football was a day of great games, a few blowouts, and a surprise or two.
It all added up to the worst week of my HBCU Sports predicting career, but we’ll try to get back on track this week. It features some bad blood in the SWAC, some new blood in the CIAA, and hopefully, no bloodshed from these predictions.
Before we get to Week 4’s picks, here’s a quick look back at Week 3.
Last Week’s Record: 20-10-1
2024 Overall Record: 67-25-1
Best Pick: Jackson State 24, Southern 22 (Jackson State won 33-15)
Worst Pick: Tie: Norfolk State 20, Hampton 17 (Hampton won 37-7) and Bluefield State 24, Emory & Henry 16 (Emory & Henry won 40-13)
Game Of the Week: Jackson State (2-1, 0-0 SWAC) at Grambling State (2-1, 0-0 SWAC)
Kudos to SWAC schools for still scheduling each other as non-conference matchups because this heated rivalry between the Tigers of Grambling State and the Tigers of Jackson State long predates the East and West Division/SWAC championship game era.
JSU is coming off a solid win over Southern, while Grambling had a comeback victory on the road at Texas A&M-Commerce, so both teams are coming into Saturday’s showdown with momentum.
Jackson State’s stable of running backs will force Grambling’s defense to be honest, while the GSU offense will look to counter with SWAC preseason offensive player of the year Myles Crawley, who looks to have a breakout game after something of a slow start this season.
Grambling gave up nearly 300 yards on the ground to TAMC last week, so they need to find a way to keep Irv Mulligan and the crew in check…or else.
Prediction: Jackson State 31, Grambling State 24
Howard (2-1) vs. Hampton (2-1), Truth and Services Classic, a.k.a “The Battle of the Real HU,” Audi Field, Washington, D.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 4 p.m. EST, ESPN+
Another bitter rivalry gets the spotlight this Saturday afternoon as HBCU bluebloods Howard and Hampton look to settle who is the real HU. In the last seven games, it’s been the Pirates, including last year’s unbelievable come-from-behind win that left HBCU Sports reporter Jarrett Hoffman flabbergasted while covering the game.
The Bison, defending MEAC champs, have to find some consistency in how they start and finish ball games, so getting running backs Jarett Hunter (MEAC preseason offensive player of the year) and Eden James going is a good place to begin.
Hampton’s two-quarterback system of Chris Zellous and Malcolm Mays has worked well for them so far, and expect more of the same this Saturday in an attempt to baffle a solid Howard defense. The Pirates have a star running back in Elijah Burris, who is averaging 88 yards per game so far and has three rushing scores to his credit.
Even though Hampton has won the last seven games, the records literally get thrown out when these two teams play, so this is a toss-up.
Prediction: Howard 24, Hampton 23
Virginia Union (1-1, 0-0 CIAA) at Johnson C. Smith (3-0, 0-0 CIAA), Saturday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. EST, CIAASN
Johnson C. Smith is arguably the best story in all of Black College Football right now, experiencing their best start in over a decade and, after a resounding 52-6 win over Lincoln, looking to prove their CIAA competitor status with a visit from defending conference champ Virginia Union.
The Panthers are led by the backfield tandem of Jada Byers and Curtis Allen, two running backs who are capable of major outbursts, while first-year starter R.J. Rosales has provided steady quarterback play.
The Golden Bulls like to run as well, with a trio of backs—Quavaris Crouch, Kamarro Edmonds, and Avante George—leading a ground game that averages 203 yards per contest. Another battle in the trenches awaits.
VUU is eager to prove they’re still the team to beat, while JCSU hopes to announce the arrival of a new sheriff in town. A lot of eyes will be on this one.
Prediction: Virginia Union 34, Johnson C. Smith 30
North Carolina A&T (1-2) at North Carolina Central (1-2), Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. EST, ESPNU
A banged-up North Carolina Central team hosts the Aggie-Eagle Classic for the first time in six years, looking to get back on track against a North Carolina A&T squad that has had its ups and downs in the early part of the schedule.
Both teams are fairly young at key spots. The Aggies’ offense is led by sophomore quarterback Kevin White, while the Eagles’ next-man-up mentality has players seeing significant playing time for the first time after the graduation of the stars of the last two seasons.
Another game where the past means nothing, only the present. While A&T could use a win to restore some confidence, Central needs to get healthy before MEAC play begins, and sending the Aggies back to Greensboro with a loss could prove to be the best medicine.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 21, North Carolina A&T 17
Division I
VMI 27, Norfolk State 13
Richmond 34, Delaware State 14
Morgan State 25, Virginia-Lynchburg 10
Bethune-Cookman 24, Clark Atlanta 18
Nicholls 31, Mississippi Valley State 12
Lamar 30, Texas Southern 20
Troy 29, Florida A&M 21
Austin Peay 32, Alabama A&M 19
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 33, Central Arkansas 27
Prairie View 23, Southern 19
McNeese 21, Alcorn State 20
Tennessee State 28, Tennessee Tech 24
Division II/NAIA
Shaw 28, Lincoln (Pa.) 20
Virginia State 34, Winston-Salem State 24
Fayetteville State 19, Elizabeth City State 14
Bowie State 20, Livingstone 19
Benedict 29, Edward Waters 27
Albany State 32, Central State 23
Tuskegee 24, Savannah State 14
Kentucky State 17, Morehouse 16
Miles 21, Lane 18
Delta State 35, Fort Valley State 31
Allen 22, Point University 20
Louisiana Christian 26, Langston 17
William Jewell 31, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
West Virginia State 24, West Liberty 20
Texas College 27, Ottawa University Arizona 24
