HBCU Football has reached that time of year where surprises happen, contenders emerge and disappointments begin to mount and Week Five had a little bit of all of the above.
That led to another tough, but winning weekend for your friendly neighborhood HBCU Football prognosticator, but Week Six is another chance to get it right. With SWAC play turning up and SIAC and CIAA matchups leading the way, it should be a fun week.
Before I share my Week Six winners, let’s look back at Week Five.
Week Five Record: 23-9
2025 overall record to date: 118-33
Best pick: Jackson State 24, Southern 13 (Tigers won 38-13, proving that they are still in Ric Flair mode. “To be the man, you gotta beat the man…”)
Worst pick: Alabama A&M 28, Bethune-Cookman 17 (Wildcats won 41-34. Second week in a row they’ve shut me up which of course leads to…)
Game of the week: Bethune-Cookman (2-3, 1-0 SWAC East) at Alabama State (3-1, 1-0 SWAC East), Saturday Oct. 4, 3 p.m. EST, SWAC TV
Two of the SWAC’s top offenses will match wits Saturday afternoon in Montgomery, with a lot on the line for both teams.
The Wildcats are looking for their first three-game winning streak since 2019, and with an offense that has scored 35 and 41 the last two weeks, they have the firepower to match up with the Hornets. Quarterback Cam Ransom is a true dual threat, accounting for nearly 1000 total yards and 11 touchdowns while Khamani Robinson (41 carries, 284 yards, 2 TDs) is among the SWAC’s leading rushers and a receiving corps led by Maleek Huggins (23 catches, 384 yards, 4 TDs) gives Ransom reliable targets.
Alabama State counters with Andrew Body, who has yet to throw an interception this season while passing for 867 yards and 12 touchdowns. Running back Jamarie Hostzclaw (262 yards rushing) and freshman receiver Jalen Jones (15 catches, 367 yards 5 TDs) are also big playmakers for the Hornets.
ASU will need to have their attention squarely on these Wildcats with sharpened claws. If they can hold off BCU, a SWAC East championship showdown with defending HBCU national champ Jackson State awaits Oct. 11
Prediction: Alabama State 35, Bethune-Cookman 31
Virginia Union (4-1, 1-0 CIAA) at Winston-Salem State (3-2, 1-0 CIAA), Saturday Oct. 4, 1 p.m. EST, CIAA Network
The defending CIAA champion Panthers look like the team to beat once again and they look to prove it against WSSU and quarterback Daylin Lee, who is having an offensive player of the year-style season halfway through the schedule.
The Rams will look to take the next step in their quest to return to CIAA powerhouse status against Union, who features conference leading rusher Curtis Allen and a defense that has allowed, if you take away the Edward Waters loss, just 20 points for the whole season.
The Panthers have a point to prove and Winston-Salem has an upset in mind. This could be the game of the weekend.
Prediction: Virginia Union 33, Winston-Salem State 28
Johnson C. Smith (4-1, 1-0 CIAA) at Virginia State (2-2, 0-1 CIAA), Saturday Oct. 4, 2 p.m. EST, CIAA Network
The Golden Bulls took out their frustrations from the Virginia Union setback on Bluefield State with 69 points (nice), but they’ll need more offense against a Virginia State team that has shown explosive capabilities.
It’s the battle of the rookie and the vet at QB, with VSU’s Rahsaan Matthews Jr. (redshirt freshman) looking to keep up with Smith’s Kelvin Durham (senior). Both trigger men have plenty of offensive weapons, so you can expect a track meet in Petersburg Saturday afternoon.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 34, Virginia State 27
Kentucky State (3-2, 3-1 SIAC) at Miles (0-5, 0-2 SIAC), Saturday Oct. 4, 3 p.m. ESPN Plus
The Thorobreds have improved each season under head coach Felton Huggins and as KSU looks for its first winning season in six years, they’ll travel to Miles, a team that is much better than what their record suggests.
Division I Morgan State needed a blocked field goal return for a score to beat the Golden Bears in the ghost of the Circle City Classic last weekend, so this is a legitimate test for Kentucky State. A win here proves they can be SIAC contenders. A loss means there’s still more work to be done.
Prediction: Kentucky State 27, Miles 24
Week Six
Saturday, Oct. 4
Monmouth 34, Delaware State 20
Morgan State 20, Georgetown (DC) 17
Norfolk State 23, Hampton 19
South Carolina State 30, Savannah State 17
Prairie View 31, Alcorn State 14
Jackson State 28, Alabama A&M 20
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 26, Texas Southern 24
William & Mary 32, North Carolina A&T 16
Tennessee State 21, Eastern Illinois 20
Fort Valley State 27, Central State 14
Benedict 33, Allen 21
Albany State 35, Lane 18
Tuskegee 21, Morehouse 13
Bluefield State 30, Shaw 13
Fayetteville State 27, Bowie State 21
Livingstone 20, Elizabeth City State 19
West Virginia State 29, West Liberty 16
Lincoln (Mo.) 23, Southwest Baptist 21
Florida Memorial 35, Southeastern 34
Texas Wesleyan 31, Arkansas Baptist 24
VUL 32, South Carolina Central Christian 31
