The only thing that can come after Week 0 of HBCU Football is Week 1 and the Chris-tal ball hopes to have a better weekend after a few surprises to begin the 2026 season.
Labor Day weekend is a great time to enjoy plenty of Black College Football with a classic, a rivalry game and the ongoing war to prove that we can compete with select PWIs.
Before we hop into Week 1’s picks, here’s a brief look at how Week 0 went for your friendly neighborhood HBCU football prognosticator.
Week 0 Record: 19-10
2026 overall record: 19-10
Best Pick: Alabama State 34, Southern 21 (The Hornets overcame a slow start to gain a 30-17 victory, the kind of game championship teams have to win…)
Worst Pick: Johnson C. Smith 30, Benedict 27 (Benedict won 32-10. I should be familiar with the Tigers’ game by now…)
Game Of the Week: South Carolina State (1-0) vs. Florida A&M (1-0), Orange Blossom Classic, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday Sept. 6, 3 p.m. EST, ESPN.
Two proud HBCU legacy programs face off in one of the premier HBCU Classics, and both are coming off of season-opening wins.
The Rattlers defeated Albany State 20-7 while South Carolina State…well, we don’t need to rehash what happened against Savannah State.
87 points won’t be scored in this game, but you can be sure the Bulldogs’ offense will still pose a significant challenge to FAMU.
If Florida A&M can keep it close, they’ll have a shot, but if SCSU’s Week 0 outburst is any indication, that will be easier said than done.
Prediction: South Carolina State 31, Florida A&M 20
Texas Southern (1-0, 0-0 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M (0-1, 0-0 SWAC), Sunday Sept. 6, 1 p.m. EST, ESPN2
The defending SWAC champion Panthers hung with nationally ranked Tarleton State before falling 49-30 in their season opener, while the Tigers turned the tables on North Carolina Central and picked up their biggest win in years 42-30.
The Labor Day Classic is a hot ticket once again, especially with an early leg up in the SWAC West race on the line.
Betting against Tremaine Jackson is a foolish endeavor, but Cris Dishman has Texas Southern believing they can win.
This should be a good one.
Prediction: Prairie View 27, Texas Southern 24
Albany State (0-1) vs. Johnson C. Smith (0-1), Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, Benson Stadium, Canton, Ohio, Sunday Sept. 6, 4 p.m. EST, NFL Network
Last year’s SIAC and CIAA champions both lost tough Week 0 games, now they’ll look to get back on track in the birthplace of pro football.
Neither team had a good showing against more athletic and talented defenses, but things should open up for Smith and ASU, especially with Division II HBCU conference bragging rights on the line once again.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 20, Albany State 17
Week 1
Thursday, Sept. 3
Central Florida 35, Bethune-Cookman 20
Missouri 34, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17
Roanoke 31, Virginia-Lynchburg 16
Saturday, Sept. 5
Richmond 24, Howard 20
William & Mary 27, Delaware State 23
Old Dominion 33, Norfolk State 18
North Carolina Central 30, Elizabeth City State 14
Arizona State 32, Morgan State 13
Southern Miss 28, Alcorn State 17
Alabama State 34, Lane 15
Alabama A&M 27, Miles 19
Southern 31, Kentucky State 27
Jackson State 35, Edward Waters 21
Grambling State 29, Central State 16
Sacramento State 26, Mississippi Valley State 13
Virginia State 30, Bowie State 18
Concord (W. Va.) 24, Bluefield State 15
West Chester (Pa.) 28, Lincoln (Pa.) 20
Virginia Union 35, Livingstone 22
Shaw 23, Barton 20
Mars Hill 31, Winston-Salem State 25
Morehouse 34, Clark Atlanta 30
Allen 27, Florida Memorial 17
Fort Valley State 32, Tuskegee 27
Texas College 33, Arkansas Baptist 21
Louisiana Christian 29, Langston 18
