Week Eight of HBCU football season features nearly an entire conference off but others have plenty of action that counts in the standings to enjoy.
And Week Seven’s results were fun…too bad most of them weren’t featured in your friendly prognosticator’s predictions. Note to self: be sure you check which week of the CIAA and SIAC schedules you’re reading.
That being said, we’re throwing out any record of Week 7 and just skipping straight ahead to Week Eight’s matchups and predictions.
Game Of The Week: Prairie View (4-2, 3-0 SWAC West) at Southern (1-5, 0-0 SWAC West), Saturday Oct. 18, 5 p.m. EST, HBCU GO
This is the first division game for the Jaguars, and depending on your point of view, it could not have come at a better or worse time. Prairie View has already defeated Texas Southern, Grambling and Alcorn State, so a chance to put some real distance between themselves and the rest of the division is on the line Saturday evening.
Both teams employ multiple quarterbacks as Cam Peters and Tevin Carter handle the Panther offense while Cam’Ron McCoy, Ashton Strother and Jalen Woods have all seen time for Southern under center.
The lack of a defined QB1 has hurt both teams. Prairie View is seventh in the SWAC in scoring (21.3 points per game) while Southern is dead last in the SWAC and 115th overall in FBS (14.8).
If you’re going to Baton Rouge expecting a track meet, don’t get your hopes up. A competitive game is still in order as the Jags can begin the process of saving their season or PV can make their road to the SWAC title game a lot smoother.
Prediction: Prairie View 17, Southern 14
Howard (3-3) vs. Tennessee State (1-5) at Nissan Stadium, Nashville Tennessee, Saturday Oct. 18, 4:30 p.m. EST, ESPN Plus
The Bison return the favor in 2025, visiting the Tigers for their homecoming as TSU did in DC last year.
Howard, who is the only MEAC team in action this week, looks to get back on track after two tough losses in games they probably feel they should have won.
Tennessee State is rebuilding under new head coach Reggie Barlow and would like to get a win before returning to Big South-OVC play, where they have not had the best luck.
Two proud institutions meeting to get momentum means a lot, even if the records say otherwise.
Prediction: Howard 24, Tennessee State 20
Benedict (6-0, 5-0 SIAC) at Edward Waters (4-2, 3-1 SIAC), Saturday Oct. 18, 4 p.m. SIAC Network
In a matchup of surprising Tigers, the Jacksonville variety (EWU) will look to rebound after a crash landing of a loss at Kentucky State, while the Columbia, South Carolina variant survived a close encounter with a wounded Fort Valley State team.
Benedict’s defense vs. Edward Waters’ offense could be one of the best matchups of the season, especially with so much to play for.
The winner moves up in the crowded SIAC title chase while the loser will be stuck with a setback they likely cannot afford.
Prediction: Benedict 21, Edward Waters 17
Johnson C. Smith (5-1, 2-1 CIAA) at Shaw (2-4, 2-2 CIAA), Saturday Oct. 18, 1 p.m. EST, CIAA Network
JCSU returns to action after a bye while Shaw is riding the momentum of a 20-13 win that sent the entire Winston-Salem State fanbase into a state of despair.
While the Bears haven’t had the best luck against the Golden Bulls recently, Smith should tread lightly as trap games ruined their chances at the CIAA title game last year. Shaw doesn’t mind playing spoiler and would like to build on last week’s slight upset.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 34, Shaw 24
Week Eight
Saturday, Oct. 18
Texas Southern 35, Virginia Lynchburg 14
Grambling 23, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 21
Mississippi Valley State 30, Lincoln (Ca.) 16
Florida A&M 27, Alcorn State 23
Villanova 33, Hampton 20
Bluefield State 25, Bowie State 22
Virginia Union 34, Lincoln (Pa.) 12
Winston-Salem State 29, Livingstone 24
Virginia State 32, Elizabeth City State 28
Albany State 31, Tuskegee 17
Morehouse 26, Lane 15
Central State 18, Kentucky Christian 14
Savannah State 23, Fort Valley State 16
Miles 20, Clark Atlanta 19
Franklin Pierce 24, Kentucky State 21
West Virginia State 34, Wheeling 30
Indianapolis 28, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
Oklahoma Panhandle State 32, Arkansas Baptist 26
Wayland Baptist 33, Langston 16
Florida Memorial 29, Warner 19
South Carolina Central Christian 31, Barber-Scotia 14
