In this episode of the Better Than Less Than Podcast with Jarrett Hoffman, Jarrett looks at every Division II HBCU football classic set for the 2025 season. He highlights matchups across the CIAA, SIAC, and NAIA ranks, analyzing opening-week showdowns like Clark Atlanta vs. Valdosta State, Fayetteville State vs. Benedict, and the Detroit Football Classic between Central State and Kentucky State.
Hoffman also spotlights unique events such as the Essence HBCU Classic in Boston, the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, and historic rivalries like the Fountain City Classic (Albany State vs. Fort Valley State) and the Commemorative Classic (Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone).
Alongside game previews, Hoffman calls for more creative event branding, improved television access, and the use of non-traditional markets like New York, Boston, and Puerto Rico to grow HBCU football’s reach. His “must-watch” picks for 2025 include the Red Tails Classic, Fountain City Classic, and Commemorative Classic, with Fayetteville State vs. Benedict as a sleeper matchup.
Watch the full breakdown on the HBCU Sports YouTube channel.
