HBCU Football Fans: Welcome back.
Week 1 of the 2025 HBCU Football season is here and as I’ve done in each of the previous two seasons, I will be predicting the outcome of each game week to week. Sometimes I have great weeks, sometimes… not so much, but it’s all in fun and for the love of Black College Football.
We’ve got some classics, some non-conference battles and coaching debuts on tap for this weekend, so before we hop into the predictions, let’s look at last year’s record.
2024 record: 245-91-1
Best pick: Whichever team won
Worst pick: Man, I had some stinkers, especially that Johnson C. Smith/Livingstone game. That’s life, though.
Co-game of the week: Delaware State (0-0) at Delaware (0-0) and Towson (0-0) at Norfolk State (0-0), Thursday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m. EST, DSU/UD on ESPN+, Norfolk State/Towson on ESPNU
The MEAC tries its hand at former NFL All-Pros-turned-college coaches as former Eagle teammates Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson look to turn around struggling programs at Norfolk State and Delaware State, respectively.
Jackson has the tougher road as DSU has not had a winning record since 2012. Vick’s path at Norfolk State is also unclear as the Spartans always seem to be missing one thing that could make their program great.
The Hornets start off with FBS newcomer Delaware, who has yet to lose to DSU in 11 previous games. Towson, a former CAA rival of UD’s, is no slouch either.
Both Vick and Jackson should hope for competitive games, but they expect to win and only we would be surprised if that happened.
Prediction, Delaware 30, Delaware State 17 and Towson 24, Norfolk State 20
Florida A&M (0-0) vs. Howard (0-0) at Orange Blossom Classic, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, Aug. 30, 4 p.m. EST, ESPNU
A rematch of the 2023 Celebration Bowl looks much different this year as Howard and FAMU have both lost kids to graduation and the transfer portal. The competitive nature of this rivalry is still something to watch, as well as the Rattlers returning to the Orange Blossom Classic after a one-year absence.
Can FAMU’s newcomers outshine Howard’s young talent, getting a chance to play more? Time will tell.
Prediction: Florida A&M 27, Howard 20
Miles (0-0) vs. Virginia Union (0-0) at the Hall of Fame Classic, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio, Sunday, Aug. 31, 4 p.m. EST, NFL Network
The defending SIAC and CIAA champions meet in Canton, Ohio to kick off their regular seasons on a Sunday afternoon.
Miles will have a new head coach as Chris Goode replaces Sam Shade, now at Alabama A&M. Virginia Union will have to replace all-world running back Jada Byers and other parts of a team that played in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals a season ago.
This is a fun matchup that will tell us a lot about both teams, but not nearly enough as a long season is just beginning.
Prediction: Virginia Union 17, Miles 13
Week 1
Thursday, Aug. 28
Northwestern State 23, Alcorn State 19
UAB 31, Alabama State 20
Livingstone 20, U of Charleston 10
Virginia State 33, Barton 24
Friday, Aug. 29
Florida International 35, Bethune-Cookman 17
Saturday, Aug. 30
Tennessee State 22, North Carolina A&T 19
South Carolina State 26, Wofford 13
North Carolina Central 28, New Hampshire 27
South Alabama 32, Morgan State 14
Jackson State 34, Hampton 20
Arkansas 25, Alabama A&M 17
Southern 21, Mississippi Valley State 13
Texas Tech 35, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 16
Prairie View A&M 29, Texas Southern 24
Grambling 30, Langston 18
Albany State 31, Shaw 30
Kentucky State 27, Central State 25
Valdosta State 30, Clark Atlanta 28
Johnson C. Smith 27, Morehouse 17
Fayetteville State 19, Benedict 14
Morehead State 32, Allen 14
Edward Waters 35, Savannah State 31
Grand Valley State 34, Lincoln (Pa.) 13
Elizabeth City State 22, Chowan 16
Tusculum 28, Bluefield State 20
Texas College 35, Culver-Stockton 28
Valparaiso 35, Virginia-Lynchburg 14
Sunday, Aug. 31
Tuskegee 29, Winston-Salem State 23
