All eyes are on the SWAC East showdown between Jackson State and Alabama State in week seven of the HBCU footballs season in what many are dubbing the ‘Game of the Year.’
Elsewhere, the SIAC has a pair of matchups with championship implications while two contenders in the CIAA clash with a chance to taking a big step to punching their ticket to the title game.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 7 of the HBCU football season.
Clark Atlanta vs. Albany State
When: October 11; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Albany State puts its perfect record against Division II opponents this season on the line when it hosts Clark Atlanta.
This will be the first time the Golden Rams have faced the Panthers in the Teddy Keaton era, having beaten them by a combined 84-0 in their last two games against them.
In four games against Division II opponents, Albany State has won by an average of nearly 40 points per game, scoring over 45 points in each contest.
This includes a 47-6 win over Lane in their last contest, in which star quarterback Isaiah Knowles sat out due to injury.
The Golden Rams are fighting to keep pace at the top of the SIAC, currently tied with Edward Waters for second place and just a half-game behind Benedict (all unbeaten in conference competition).
On the other hand, Clark Atlanta is fighting for its SIAC championship lives, currently sporting a two-game losing streak.
While true freshman quarterback Xzavier Jackson has played well in relief of Zy McDonald, who went down during the Panthers’ loss to Allen, the team has dropped to 1-2 in SIAC play.
One of four teams entering this weekend with a 1-3 conference record, a loss would virtually eliminate Clark Atlanta from the SIAC championship race.
Livingstone vs. Fayetteville State
When: October 11; Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Fayetteville State aims to continue its strong start to its conference schedule, putting its three-game win streak on the line in its homecoming contest against Livingstone.
The Broncos have bounced back from losing their first three games of the season, launching themselves into first place in the CIAA through the first three weeks of conference play.
They are one of two teams remaining in the CIAA yet to suffer a conference loss, along with the defending champion Virginia Union.
Fayetteville State will match up with a Livingstone team looking to get back on track after a disappointing performance last weekend.
The Blue Bears had their three-game win streak snapped in a 39-27 loss to Elizabeth City State, marking their first conference loss of the season (also Elizabeth City State’s first win overall).
Livingstone got the best of Fayetteville State the last time they faced them, ending a seven-game losing streak in the matchup.
However, they have not gotten a road win over the Broncos since 1998.
Edward Waters vs. Kentucky State
When: October 11; Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
In a matchup between two top contenders in the SIAC, Kentucky State plays its homecoming contest, looking to hand Edward Waters its first conference loss of the year.
Kentucky State and Edward Waters enter this game ranked the second and third best offenses in the conference, each averaging over 32 points per game and over 365 offensive yards per game.
The Thorobreds are riding a three-game win streak, coming off a 38-17 win over the defending conference champion Miles.
Meanwhile, Edward Waters returns to the football field after an idle week, having beaten Morehouse on a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes in its most recent outing.
Like Albany State, the Tigers have yet to lose a game against a Division II opponent so far this year, having scored over 40 points in all but one of those games.
A win for Edward Waters would get them one step closer to an SIAC championship berth, with a clash against undefeated Benedict looming next weekend.
Although Kentucky State could play spoiler, giving itself a chance to put itself in the championship picture with three games remaining after this week.
North Carolina Central vs. Florida A&M
When: October 11; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
For the first time since leaving the MEAC five years ago, Florida A&M will host a former conference adversary, North Carolina Central.
The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2019, when the Rattlers scored a go-ahead touchdown with 32 seconds remaining to come away with a 28-21 victory.
It has been a struggle for Florida A&M this year, having lost in its two games against FCS opponents, including a 42-14 loss in its conference opener against Alabama State.
The Rattlers’ 1-3 start is the worst they’ve had in a season since 2016. They are looking to avoid what would be their first losing season since joining the SWAC and their first overall since 2017.
They will look to get back on track against a North Carolina Central team that has combined for 112 points in its last two contests.
This includes a 50-42 win in their most recent game against East Texas A&M, improving their record to 3-1 against non-conference FCS opponents.
With this being the Eagles’ last non-conference game before entering MEAC play in two weeks, a win would be a huge confidence boost as they begin their pursuit of a second championship in four years.
Alabama State vs. Jackson State
When: October 11; Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPNU
In what is arguably the biggest game of the 2025 HBCU football season, the SWAC East title could be up for grabs when Jackson State hosts Alabama State for its homecoming.
The last time the Hornets played the Tigers on their homecoming, they played spoiler, coming away with a 24-19 win.
Though Jackson State got its revenge last season, leaving Montgomery with a 16-10 win after a game-clinching safety.
Two of the most prolific offenses in HBCU football, both teams enter as the 10th and 16th-ranked offenses in FCS football, respectively.
This will be the defending SWAC champions’ first home conference game of the season, having won its first two home contests so far.
The Tigers are currently riding an eight-game win streak at home, with their last loss coming in 2023.
Alabama State has been on an offensive tear in its last two games, combining for 94 points and a 22.5-point winning margin. They have not scored less than 30 points in any game this season.
A matchup between arguably the two best teams in HBCU football this year this is a high-stakes contest with the winner being the favorite to win the SWAC and clinch a spot in the Celebration Bowl.
