Week 11 of the HBCU football season marks the final week in the regular season for the CIAA and the SIAC.
With one-half of each conference’s championship picture already set in stone, a pair of win and get in games on tap could decide who each team will face.
Elsewhere, the MEAC’s top two teams will be in action in a pair of games that could either see a change in the pecking order depending on the result.
Finally, a cross division matchup in the SWAC pits a team that could face elimination from conference championship contention with a loss against a team that could take the lead in their division with a win.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 11 of the HBCU football season.
Delaware State vs. Morgan State
When: November 7; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN2 or ESPNU
One week after headlining in a nationally broadcast contest against Norfolk State, the Delaware State Hornets find themselves in the spotlight again this weekend in a matchup with Morgan State.
Following a 27-20 win over Norfolk State, the Hornets have started conference play with a 2-0 record, marking the first time they have done so since 2007.
They will face a Morgan State team that they have not beaten since 2017, losing 10 of their last 11 matchups overall and losing the previous six games in Hughes Stadium.
The Bears are in search of their first conference win after their comeback bid last week against South Carolina State fell short in a 36-30 loss.
Delaware State is one of two teams remaining in the MEAC with a perfect conference record (South Carolina State).
A win in this game (and a possible South Carolina State loss) will improve the Hornets’ chances of claiming their first MEAC title in nearly 20 years, further cementing their status as an up-and-coming HBCU football power.
Livingstone vs. Johnson C. Smith
When: November 8; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Johnson C. Smith has an opportunity to clinch a berth in the CIAA championship in its regular-season finale against Livingstone.
Last season, Livingstone played spoiler in Johnson C. Smith’s bid for a conference title, coming away with a 15-10 win to eliminate them from championship contention.
The Golden Bulls kept their championship hopes alive with a win over Fayetteville State, who simply needed a win to return to the conference championship game.
Now it is JCSU who has the advantage, needing a win over a Livingstone team that comes into this game following a 43-13 win over Shaw.
A win in this game would guarantee them a trip to Durham for their first championship appearance since the inaugural title game in 1970.
Should the Golden Bulls lose this game, the advantage would return to Fayetteville State, who would then only need to beat Winston-Salem State to claim the berth.
Howard vs. South Carolina State
When: November 8; Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
South Carolina State’s bid for a conference-championship repeat continues when it welcomes Howard into Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
The Bulldogs are currently riding a four-game win streak, including wins in each of their first two conference contests.
Meanwhile, the Bison suffered their first conference loss of the season against North Carolina Central.
While South Carolina State will look to keep its unbeaten conference record intact, keeping pace with Delaware State, Howard has a chance to get itself back into the championship race.
With a matchup against Delaware State looming next weekend, a win for the Bison would set up a matchup that could determine who represents the MEAC in Atlanta.
To make this happen, they will first have to find a way to get a win in Orangeburg, something they have not done since 2017.
Benedict vs. Savannah State
When: November 8; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
Benedict goes on the road to fight for a spot in the SIAC championship game in its regular-season finale against Savannah State.
Last season, Benedict outscored Savannah State 23-6 in the second half to claim its third straight win in the series.
After starting the season with a perfect 7-0 record and a win away from clinching a SIAC championship berth, the Tigers suffered their first loss against Albany State.
The following week, Kentucky State would beat Clark Atlanta to keep itself within striking distance of a conference title.
As a result, Benedict needs a win or a Kentucky State loss to get a crack at winning its third SIAC championship in the past four seasons.
A loss and a Kentucky State win this weekend would eliminate the Tigers from championship contention.
Texas Southern vs. Alabama State
When: November 8; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWAC TV
The two teams currently in second place in their respective SWAC divisions, Texas Southern and Alabama State, will meet in Montgomery in hopes of keeping their bids for a conference championship berth alive.
This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since 2022, when Alabama State won 16-13 in Houston.
The Hornets have had consistent success against the Tigers, winning 10 of their last 11 matchups against them.
Despite an injury to star quarterback Andrew Body last weekend, Alabama State found a way to win against the current SWAC West leader, Prairie View A&M.
Texas Southern, on the other hand, had its four-game win streak snapped in a loss to Alcorn State, putting them in a tie for second-place in the SWAC West with Grambling State.
With two games remaining in the regular season after this contest, a loss and a Prairie View A&M win would eliminate Texas Southern from division championship contention (PVAMU controls the tiebreaker over TSU).
Meanwhile, a win and a Jackson State loss would put Alabama State in the lead in the SWAC East.
