Lucky Week Number 13 of HBCU Football promises to be a special one; five Division II HBCUs are in postseason action, the MEAC title will be decided and the SWAC will likely know who plays in the championship game by the close of business Saturday.
The games aren’t as plentiful, but the importance has multiplied, so your friendly neighborhood HBCU football prognosticator takes this week’s picks very seriously.Before we look at the key matchups, let’s review Week 12’s numbers.
Week 12 Record: 17-4
2025 Overall Record: 238-71
Best pick: Jackson State 27, Bethune-Cookman 13 (Tigers won 28-13. Now all that’s left is the Soul Bowl…)
Worst pick: Virginia Union 31, Johnson C. Smith 21 (Golden Bulls won 45-21, earning their first CIAA crown in 56 years. Amazing redemption story for the Queen City’s HBCU.)
Game Of The Week: South Carolina State (8-3, 4-0 MEAC) at Delaware State (8-3, 4-0 MEAC), Saturday Nov. 22, 1 p.m., EST, ESPN Plus
The DeSean Jackson revival project in Dover has been one of the year’s biggest sports stories and the Hornets have a chance to write another incredible chapter this Saturday.
Standing in the way is the MEAC’s gold standard for football; South Carolina State is looking for their 20th conference title and third trip to the Celebration Bowl in the last five years.
The Hornet run game, still tops in FCS, will need to be in high gear to keep Billy Atkins, Josh Shaw and the rest of the dangerous Bulldog offense off the field.
DSU also can’t have 18 penalties for 195 yards like they did against Howard, or the game will be over before anybody gets comfortable.
All things considered, Delaware State has risen to the occasion many times this season and even with a generational dynasty coming into town, it will be no surprise if the Hornets earn their first MEAC title since 2007 and their first ever trip to the Celebration Bowl.
Prediction: Delaware State 28, South Carolina State 24
Albany State (10-1, SIAC champions) vs. Valdosta State (6-4), NCAA Division I playoffs first round, Saturday Nov. 22, 1 p.m.
The Golden Rams dominated SIAC teams all season long and gave FCS Florida A&M a scare, earning a top seed in the D-II playoffs.
Waiting on the other side of the field will be Valdosta State, but this is not the same Blazers team that current Prairie View coach Tremaine Jackson took to the national title game a year ago.
Albany State is healthy and ready to go. Can Valdosta State turn back the clock? Not likely.
Prediction: Albany State 34, Valdosta State 23
Benedict (9-2, SIAC runner-up) at Wingate (9-2 South Atlantic Conference runner-up), NCAA Division II playoffs first round, Saturday Nov. 22, 1 p.m. EST
The Tigers received a very nice consolation prize in a trip to the postseason party, but they’ll face SAC powerhouse Wingate, who is similar to Albany State in the fact they can put points on the board quickly.
Benedict’s defense will have to be at their very best to keep this one from getting out of hand and hope their offense has a few tricks up their sleeve to move to the second round.
Prediction: Wingate 30, Benedict 17
Kentucky State (9-2) at Newberry (9-1, South Atlantic Conference champions), NCAA Division II playoffs first round, Saturday Nov. 22, 1 p.m. EST
Kentucky State has had a dream season to date; the program’s most wins since 1935 (the Great Depression, y’all!) and their first NCAA playoff appearance.
Their reward is SAC champ Newberry, who specializes in point-a-minute football much like the Thorobreds.
This is going to be one game where if you take a restroom break, you might miss a touchdown.
Prediction: Newberry 35, Kentucky State 31
Johnson C. Smith (10-1 CIAA champion) vs. Frostburg State (9-2, Mountain East Conference champion), NCAA Division II playoffs, Saturday Nov. 22, 1 p.m. EST
The Golden Bulls have taken care of a lot of history this season and they’ll have a chance to add an NCAA tournament win to the list against MEC champ Frostburg State.
The Bobcats have one of the top defenses in the country, so Smith will need to take advantage of opportunities when present themselves.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 25, Frostburg State 21
Virginia Union (9-2, CIAA runner-up) vs. California (Pa.) (8-3), NCAA Division II playoffs first round, Saturday Nov. 22, 1 p.m. EST
For the first time in three years, Union enters the postseason without the CIAA championship in tow, but they do get a home playoff game against PSAC member California.
A long bus ride for the Vulcans could be made tougher by having to tackle Curtis Allen all day, which is how the Panthers have hurt teams this season.
VUU made it all the way to the national quarters last year. The road back begins with a win Saturday and possibly a CIAA title rematch against Johnson C. Smith next weekend.
Prediction: Virginia Union 28, California (Pa) 14
Alcorn State (5-6, 4-3 SWAC) at Jackson State (8-2, 6-1 SWAC), Saturday Nov. 22, 3:30 pm EST, ESPN Plus
Very simple approach for the Tigers; win and you’re in the SWAC title game against Prairie View.
The Braves woke from their first half slumber to win five of their last six games. Whether that’s enough to convince Alcorn brass to not make a change remains to be seen.
JSU could get star quarterback JaCobian Morgan back in time for the Soul Bowl, but the way they’ve gone, the Tigers can afford to rest him leading up to the conference championship.
Prediction: Jackson State 31, Alcorn State 19
Week 13
Saturday, Nov. 22
Norfolk State 24, Howard 18
North Carolina Central 30, Morgan State 27
Alabama State 32, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 16
Prairie View A&M 28, Mississippi Valley State 13
Alabama A&M 27, Texas Southern 24
Florida A&M 34, Bethune-Cookman 33
Charleston Southern 24, Tennessee State 20
Rhode Island 33, Hampton 23
North Carolina A&T 26, Elon 24
