The calendar has turned to August which means we are down the home stretch of the countdown to the start of the 2026 HBCU football season.
With that in mind, here is the most anticipated game to watch for each week of the season.
Week 0: Johnson C. Smith vs. Benedict
When: August 29 (Saturday); Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
Week Zero is much more crowded than it has been in recent years, with a full slate of games across the four major conferences to open the season.
In a week of stacked matchups, a contest between top Division II contenders Johnson C Smith and Benedict is the most intriguing.
Two of the five Division II programs that yielded postseason berths, both teams enter with high expectations, picked to finish second in their respective conference’s Preseason Predicted Order of Finish.
This also marks the beginning of Johnson C. Smith’s CIAA championship berth, having claimed its first conference title in 56 years, halting a Virginia Union three-peat in the process.
Meanwhile, Benedict contends with an SIAC filled with parity, seeking its third conference championship in the past five seasons.
This game will serve as a dramatic first test for two teams that will be jockeying for a position at the top of not just their conferences, but in their respective regions for playoff positioning.
Week 1: Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State
When: September 6 (Sunday); Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN
In the second year since returning to playing in the Orange Blossom Classic, Florida A&M looks to put itself back in the win column when it faces the defending Black College Football National Champion South Carolina State.
The Bulldogs come into the 2026 season on top of the world, having claimed their second Celebration Bowl win in school history, having to overcome a 21-point deficit and four overtime periods to do so.
In their first FCS contest of the season, South Carolina State will look to get over the hurdle of its losing streak against its former MEAC rival.
They have lost their last four meetings against the Rattlers with their last win against them coming in 2018.
Florida A&M enters this season under head coach Quinn Gray, taking over a team that has been on a steady decline since moving on from Willie Simmons.
The Rattlers finished with a 5-7 record in 2025, marking their first losing season since joining the SWAC and the first overall since 2017.
This will be a great first test for FAMU as they assess their ability to compete at a high level against the reigning national champs.
Week 2: Howard vs. Indiana
When: September 12 (Saturday); Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
For the second year in a row, an HBCU will play against the defending College Football Playoff National Champion when Howard travels to Bloomington to play Indiana.
Last season, it was Grambling State that held the distinction of playing against the reigning FBS national champion when it faced Ohio State in Columbus.
Entering their first season under head coach and former star quarterback Ted White, the Bison will have a tremendous opportunity to test their skills against a credible Power Four opponent.
While Howard will rightfully be a heavy underdog, the exposure of the contest is the most important aspect that will benefit the football program.
Week 3: Fayetteville State vs. Johnson C. Smith
When: September 19 (Saturday); Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Conference play in the CIAA gets started with a bang as we will see a potential conference championship preview when Fayetteville State goes against defending title holder, Johnson C. Smith.
Last season, the Golden Bulls’ road to their first CIAA title in over half a century featured a win over the Broncos (Fayetteville State’s only conference loss) thanks to a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute.
This snapped an eight-game losing streak for JCSU against its in-state rival, with the most recent loss being a 27-0 shutout on its home field in 2024.
This loss spoiled a potential undefeated season for the Golden Bulls, effectively knocking them out of CIAA championship contention (aided by a loss in the final week against Livingstone).
When these two teams line up against each other, there is always going to be fireworks and I don’t expect this year to be any different.
Week 4: Kentucky State vs. Albany State
When: September 26 (Saturday); Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
The defending SIAC champion Albany State Golden Rams’ first home game of the season brings about a significant test when they face top contender Kentucky State.
Another matchup between two of the five teams that made the Division II playoffs last season, Albany State and Kentucky State are among a littany of teams that will be jockeying for position at the top of the SIAC this season.
The Golden Rams come into the 2026, having undergone significant changes during the offseason, including moving on from head coach Quinn Gray who returned to his alma mater as head coach.
Although they are still expected to be in the upper echelon of the SIAC, they will have a tough task in facing a Kentucky State team that has gotten better in each of their four seasons under Felton Huggins.
The 2025 season was arguably the greatest in the history of the Thorobreds program, finishing 9-3 and making their first Division II playoffs in school history.
In what is expected to be a loaded conference championship race, we will get early indication as to which of these teams are serious contenders.
Week 5: Howard vs. Hampton
When: October 3 (Saturday); Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
A rivalry is renewed in the Nation’s capital when the Howard Bison match up against the Hampton Pirates for the 101st edition of the Battle of the Real HU.
Last year, Howard snapped an eight-game losing streak against Hampton, marking their first win over their storied rival since 2014.
Howard will certainly be motivated to remain in the win column considering head coach and alum Ted White will be participating in the series for the first time in his current role.
Meanwhile, Hampton is looking to find its footing, boasting its third head coach in the last four seasons.
No matter the trajectory of the teams involved or the talent on the field, one thing fans can always expect is that rivalry will be heated and entertaining to watch.
Week 6: Florida A&M vs. Alabama State
When: October 10 (Saturday); Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
Things begin to get serious in the SWAC as the season enters the sixth week when Florida A&M faces SWAC East foe Alabama State.
Last season, Alabama State beat Florida A&M 42-14, marking its first win over the Rattlers since they joined the SWAC (first overall since 2003).
Despite the difference in expectation for both teams, with the Hornets picked to finish first in the SWAC East and the Rattlers picked to finish fourth, the unpredictability of the SWAC and the stakes surrounding this matchup add to its anticipation.
Prairie View A&M was picked to finish third in its division in their first season under Tremaine Jackson and they went on to win the conference championship.
With Coach Gray’s history of winning at Albany State, it is not unrealistic to say this could happen for Florida A&M this season, but Alabama State will be a significant hurdle toward that goal.
Week 7: Edward Waters vs. Benedict
When: October 17 (Saturday); Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
One half of the SIAC championship contestants could be decided in week seven when Edward Waters goes on the road to face Benedict.
This is a matchup of the two teams picked to finish atop the SIAC in the conference’s preseason predicted order of finish (Edward Waters picked first and Benedict second).
Last season, Benedict beat Edward Waters in an exciting game that saw both teams exchange multiple touchdowns down the stretch, ending with Benedict putting up the winning score with 29 seconds remaining.
This time, in addition to having conference championship implications, this game gets the added drama of being Benedict’s homecoming contest.
Week 8: North Carolina Central vs. Delaware State
When: October 24 (Saturday); Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: N/A
The opening weekend of conference play in the MEAC brings about a heated matchup between North Carolina Central and Delaware State.
The Hornets shocked the world in 2025, turning the program around from a 2-21 record in their previous two seasons to an 8-4 record in their first season under DeSean Jackson.
Their unlikely turnaround featured a 35-26 win over North Carolina Central, spoiling their homecoming and snapping a five-game losing streak in the series.
With the game now shifting to Dover, there is much motivation for the Eagles to get their win back.
At MEAC Media Day, North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver told Coach Jack that his team was coming to Dover to “get their lick back.”
This along with both teams being top contenders for the MEAC title is more than enough hype to justify this being a must watch game.
Week 9: Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State
When: October 31 (Saturday); Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: N/A
Things get spooky on the Halloween edition of the Magic City Classic when heated in-state rivals Alabama A&M and Alabama State meet up in Birmingham.
Alabama State has had the upper hand in recent years in this series, winning each of the last four matchups.
The Hornets are aiming for what would be their first win streak of at least five games against Alabama A&M since 1994 (stretched to six games the following year).
Week 10: Virginia Union vs. Virginia State
When: November 7 (Saturday); Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
The regular season in the CIAA concludes like it does every year, with a clash between its two Virginia representatives: Union and State.
Although Virginia Union has won five of its last six meetings against Virginia State, this game will be on the Trojans’ home field, where they have had success in this series.
Since 2011, Virginia State has beaten Virginia Union five of the last seven times on its home turf, including in the 2024 regular season finale to clinch a berth in the conference championship game.
No matter who wins, this game is guaranteed to be competitive with the last seven matchups coming by an average win margin of 7.7 points per game.
Combined with both teams being in contention for the CIAA championship and you have a recipe for a game that could be a Week 10 show stealer.
Week 11: Jackson State vs. Alabama State
When: November 14 (Saturday); Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: N/A
The SWAC East division champion could be decided in the penultimate game of the regular season when Jackson State meets Alabama State.
This has grown into one of the most interesting rivalries in recent years with each game growing more consequential by the year.
Last season saw the game decide the SWAC East division champion with Jackson State needing a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute and a goal line stop as time expired to come away victorious.
Considering Jackson State and Alabama State were both picked to finish as the top two teams in the division, it’s a safe bet to assume this game could be the deciding factor.
Although this game will be in Montgomery, JSU has had success in Bama State’s backyard, winning the last two matchups in enemy territory.
Week 12: Delaware State vs. South Carolina State
When: November 21 (Saturday); Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: N/A
The MEAC championship could be decided in the final week of the regular season when South Carolina State ends the 2026 regular season against Delaware State.
The Hornets’ unlikely turnaround had them within a game of winning its first conference championship since 2007.
However, the drought was not destined to end last year as it was South Carolina State who got in the way of the redemption story, beating DSU on their way to claiming a spot in and winning the Celebration Bowl.
Since Chennis Berry took over as head coach at South Carolina State, the Bulldogs have been unstoppable, putting together a perfect 10-0 record against conference opponents.
Should Delaware State continue on its current trajectory, they could have the best opportunity to put an end of South Carolina State’s dominance within the MEAC.
