HBCU football didn’t give us many surprises in Week Two, but plenty of fun games in spite of a washed-out weekend of weather. Week Three has some more fun matchups on deck and we’ll take a look into the Chris-tal Ball to see what is in store for this weekend’s action.
Before we get to that, let’s briefly recap a solid, successful, Week Two for your friendly neighborhood HBCU football prognosticator.
Week Two record: 28-6
Best pick: Norfolk State 35, Virginia State 31 (Spartans won 34-31 in overtime. Another week, another super close to the prediction score…)
Worst pick: Concord 17, Bluefield State 13 (Big Blue won 38-21. I owe you an apology, Bluefield State. I wasn’t familiar with your game.)
Game of the week: Fort Valley State (0-1, 0-0 SIAC) at Clark Atlanta (1-1, 0-0) SIAC, Thursday Sept. 11, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2
The SIAC gets a national spotlight on red turf as Clark Atlanta looks to kick off SIAC with a bang against a Fort Valley State team that game D-II power West Alabama all they could handle two weeks ago.
The Wildcats used both Jaique Hart and Saadiq Teel at quarterback against UWA, so the Panthers should be on the look-out for a two-QB system.
They should also look out for senior linebacker Jadyn Walker, who collected 12 total tackles, a sack and an interception in Week 0.
Clark Atlanta’s new quarterback Zy McDonald has the Panthers picking up where they left off, scoring 28 points against Valdosta State and managing a 17-12 victory over a tough Florida Memorial team.
The key for both teams is a fast start; neither can fall too far behind the other too quickly.
Prediction: Clark Atlanta 28, Fort Valley State 23
Bowie State (1-0) at Delaware State (1-1), Saturday, Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Plus
Delaware State overcame Albany’s quick-strike offense and a tropical storm to give DeSean Jackson his first victory as head coach.
The Hornets look for their first win streak of any kind in three years when CIAA member Bowie State comes calling.
The Bulldogs made quick work of PSAC member Shippensburg 23-7 last week in their season debut, so DSU, who lost to this same Bowie team 23-11 in 2023, should be on high alert.
Prediction: Delaware State 35, Bowie State 21
Tuskegee (2-0) at Jackson State (1-1), Saturday Sept. 13, 3 p.m. EST, SWAC TV
The Golden Tigers, fresh off of Ballin N’ Parlayin’ under the lights for the first time, face an even brighter light when they visit the defending HBCU National Champions.
JSU played well against Southern Miss last week and will look to restore order against a Tuskegee team who didn’t need much time to send Central State packing last week.
It’s a step up in competition for TU, but Jackson State knows they’ll need to pay attention for the full 60 minutes.
Prediction: Jackson State 31, Tuskegee 16
Virginia Union (1-0) at Edward Waters (2-0), Saturday Sept. 13, 4 p.m. EST, ESPN Plus
The defending CIAA champs and D-II quarterfinalists looked as good as ever in dismissing Miles in the Hall of Fame Classic two weeks ago. They’ll face an Edward Waters team who has responded well to a sudden coaching change by scoring 40 points in each of their two wins.
The Tigers will have to find a way to contain Curtis Allen, Jada Byers’ successor as a Panther running back poised to terrorize many a defense. Conversely, VUU will need to keep the pressure on Noah Bodden, a SWAC transfer QB who has found a home at EWU. This one has “barn burner” written all over it.
Prediction: Virginia Union 34, Edward Waters 30
Week Three
Saturday, Sept. 13
Alabama A&M 27, Tennessee State 20
Hampton 23, North Carolina A&T 14
Howard 24, Morehouse 13
Rutgers 31, Norfolk State 17
South Carolina State 25, Bethune-Cookman 16
Toledo 33, Morgan State 18
North Carolina Central 29, Fayetteville State 20
Alabama State 34, Miles 14
Mississippi State 32, Alcorn State 14
Florida A&M 21, Albany State 20
Rice 31, Prairie View A&M 26
Southeastern Louisiana 24, Mississippi Valley State 18
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 27, Lincoln (Ca.) 14
Grambling 30, Kentucky State 17
Texas Southern 28, Lamar 27
Fresno State 35, Southern 24
Benedict 21, Central State 13
Allen 23, Lane 20
Ferrum 31, Shaw 21
Johnson C. Smith 33, Elizabeth City State 16
Winston-Salem State 28, Lincoln (Pa.) 13
Wingate 17, Bluefield State 16
Texas Wesleyan 26, Texas College 17
UT-Rio Grande Valley 35, Langston 14
Lincoln (Mo.) 21, Quincy 18
West Virginia State 31, West Virginia Wesleyan 24
VUL 13, Barber-Scotia 12
