HBCU football enters its sixth week, headlined by a pair of conference contests in the CIAA that could see a change in hierarchy at the top of the standings.
A classic MEAC rivalry is renewed with the home team looking for its first win in the series in nearly a decade. Also, a MEAC team looks to bounce back from a controversial loss marred in controversy.
Finally, the defending SWAC champions face a significant test in a matchup against a team that nearly pulled off a miraculous second-half comeback against them last year.
These are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 6 of the 2025 HBCU football season.
Virginia Union vs. Winston-Salem State
When: October 4; Time: 1:00 p.m.
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Virginia Union continues its road to a three-peat, going on the road for a tough test in Bowman Gray Stadium against Winston-Salem State.
This will be the Panthers’ first time traveling to Winston-Salem, North Carolina since 2018 when they beat the Rams 27-19.
Overall, Virginia Union has won three straight over Winston-Salem State, including a 31-13 win in their matchup last season.
Entering this game after securing a 27-20 win over Bowie State, Winston-Salem continues to battle to remain in the championship picture with a conference loss on its resume.
Meanwhile, their opponents improved to 2-0 in conference competition last weekend, following a dominant 59-7 win over Shaw.
In addition to potentially digging a significant hole for Winston-Salem State, a Virginia Union win will keep them to keep pace at the top of the conference, currently sitting a half-game behind Livingstone and Fayetteville State.
Delaware State vs. Monmouth
When: October 4; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: FloSports
After having its three-game losing streak snapped in a devastating loss to St. Francis, Delaware State looks to get back to its winning ways when it goes on the road to face Monmouth.
The Hornets’ loss to St. Francis last week was marred in controversy, after quarterback Kaiden Bennett was unceremoniously ejected from the contest after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter.
Holding a 31-20 lead at halftime, DSU would be shutout in the second half, allowing a pair of touchdowns on its way to a 35-31 loss.
Faced with getting themselves back in the win column, they not shift their focus to Monmouth, who they will be facing for the first time since 2016.
Monmouth comes into this game after an idle weekend, having claimed a 51-33 in a conference-opening win over Villanova the last time it stepped on the field.
This matchups features two of the most potent offenses in FCS football, with Monmouth leading the country in passing and Delaware State leading in rushing.
Johnson C. Smith vs. Virginia State
When: October 4; Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Johnson C. Smith fights to keep itself in the CIAA championship picture when it goes on the road to face the reigning conference runner-up Virginia State.
Following a loss in its conference opener against defending champion Virginia Union, Johnson C. Smith bounced back with a dominant 69-13 homecoming win over Bluefield State.
Meanwhile, Virginia State suffered its first conference loss of the season, falling 34-14 on the road against Fayetteville State.
Last season, the Golden Bulls got the best of the Trojans, winning 21-17 to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.
However, this time it will be on the Trojans’ home field, where the Golden Bulls have not won in nearly four decades.
Among a crowd of seven one-loss teams in conference play in the CIAA, neither team can afford a loss in their pursuit of a championship.
Norfolk State vs. Hampton
When: October 4; Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: FloSports
The 60th edition of the Battle of the Bay commences between the Norfolk State Spartans and the Hampton Pirates in Armstrong Stadium.
Both teams come into this contest looking for their first FCS win of the season, sporting a combined 0-7 record against FCS programs.
The Battle of the Bay has been split the last six years with the road teams coming away victorious in each matchup (last win by home team came in 2015).
If this trend continues, then the pendulum should swing toward Norfolk State, who come into this game after a close encounter against Wagner.
The Spartans led 13-0 at halftime before allowing 18 unanswered points in the second half, including a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, cementing the loss with a late interception.
Meanwhile, Hampton dropped to 0-2 in CAA conference play following a 41-20 loss to Elon last week.
The Pirates are looking to win consecutive games in this series for the first time since 2013 and looking for the first win streak in this series overall since 2016 (Norfolk State won third straight).
Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M
When: October 4; Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
Finishing the list of the games to watch in week six is a pivotal SWAC East matchup between the defending conference champion Jackson State and Alabama A&M in the Gulf Coast Challenge.
Though the Bulldogs lost to Jackson State last year, they very nearly came away with an improbable comeback win.
Trailing 45-17 in the third quarter, AAMU scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half, but failed to get a key third-down stop to get the ball back with a chance to tie or win.
Jackson State officially began the defense of its SWAC championship, defeating Southern for the seventh straight time in its conference opener.
Their opponents on the other hand did not have the same fortunes, succumbing to a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes against Bethune-Cookman.
In addition to seeking their first win in the Gulf Coast Challenge (lost three all three encounters), the Bulldogs are looking to avoid a fifth straight loss overall against the Tigers.
