The 2025 HBCU football season enters its third week, providing an interesting collection of games that could, some of which could end up being considered Game of the Year contenders.
Among the top matchups happening this week is a pair of contests between Division II contenders, including a Thursday-night game between two teams who had an offensive firestorm last season.
Also, the SIAC wages war with the SWAC and a MEAC rivalry is renewed for the first time in three years.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in week three of the HBCU football season.
Fort Valley State vs. Clark Atlanta
When: September 11; Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN2
Week three begins on Thursday night with a primetime SIAC matchup between SIAC contenders, Fort Valley State and Clark Atlanta.
Last season, these two teams engaged in an offensive shootout to open the year, combining for 13 offensive touchdowns.
Both starting quarterbacks accounted for 10 of the 13 offensive touchdowns, including reigning SIAC Player of the Year David Wright scoring all seven of his team’s touchdowns, leading them to a 45-42 win.
After dropping its season opener against Valdosta State, Clark Atlanta got itself in the win column, overcoming inclement weather to beat Florida Memorial 17-12.
Florida Memorial had a week off after it kicked off the season with a 27-17 loss against West Alabama in the Week Zero Labor Day Classic.
If this game is anything like their contest last season, we could be in for another Game of the Year contender.
Virginia Union vs. Edward Waters
When: September 13; Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
In a matchup between two of the top offenses in Division II football, the reigning CIAA champion Virginia Union Panthers travel to Jacksonville to face the Edward Waters Tigers in the HBCU Unity Classic.
Virginia Union returns to the football field after an idle week, setting its sights on a second win against the SIAC in the young 2025 campaign.
In their season opener, the Panthers claimed a dominant 45-3 win in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic over Miles, improving to 3-0 against the SIAC since 2023.
Meanwhile, Edward Waters kept its record unblemished in week two with a win of its own against Miles, knocking off the Golden Bears 46-14.
In addition to their 41-14 season-opening win over Savannah State, this marks the first time the Tigers have scored 40 points in consecutive contests since 2014.
This is a significant test for Edward Waters, serving as a potential launch pad toward becoming a contender against a team with national championship aspirations.
Tuskegee vs. Jackson State
When: September 13; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWACTV
The defending SWAC champion Jackson State Tigers return to Veteran Stadium, welcoming in SIAC contender Tuskegee in the W.C. Gorden Classic.
Tuskegee is no stranger to playing against Jackson State, having claimed a 33-7 win over them in their last matchup in 2017.
Jackson State, however, is a much better team this time around, with this game serving as a true home (their 2017 matchup was played in Mobile, Alabama).
The Golden Tigers come into this game after shutting out Central State 34-0 in a historic matchup, this being their first-ever home night game.
They will be facing a Jackson State team looking to get back in the win column after losing 38-20 to Southern Miss.
Albany State vs. Florida A&M
When: September 13; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWACTV
Albany State looks to continue its hot start to the season when it travels to Tallahassee for a clash with Florida A&M.
Of the four SIAC vs. SWAC games happening this weekend (in addition to Miles vs. Alabama State and Kentucky State vs. Grambling State), this game has the best chance of seeing the SIAC get a win.
The Golden Rams have had a magical start to their season, combining for 100 points in their first two games, including a 49-21 win in their last outing against Kentucky State.
On the other hand, Florida A&M has started the season dropping its first two games, something they have not done since 2022.
The last time these two teams played against each other, Albany State fared well, albeit in a 23-13 loss, succumbing to a 17-point second quarter.
This time, the Golden Rams are much better suited to pull off the upset against a Rattler team trying to find its footing after a slow start to their 2025 campaign.
Bethune-Cookman vs. South Carolina State
When: September 13; Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Bethune-Cookman has a flashback to its days in the MEAC this Saturday when it goes on the road to Orangeburg to face its old conference rival, South Carolina State.
This will be the first time these teams have faced each other since 2022, when South Carolina State went into Bethune-Cookman’s home stadium and came away with a 33-9 win.
South Carolina State’s three-game win streak over Bethune-Cookman is the longest in its series against them since 2009.
The Wildcats will be looking to get their first win of the season against a SCSU team that has not lost a home game since 2023 (six straight wins).
Meanwhile, the defending MEAC champions want to get a win on the board to build confidence ahead of a matchup next week against an FBS opponent, the University of South Florida.
