Week two of the HBCU football season will bring the first significant development from the Division II ranks as we will see the beginning of conference play in the two major conferences.
Two contenders from the CIAA and SIAC will be tested in their respective conference openers, while one CIAA contender can improve its postseason hopes in a matchup against a Division II powerhouse.
Meanwhile, a rivalry is renewed between former MEAC foes, and another gets the opportunity to play against a nationally ranked Power Four program.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 2 of the HBCU football season.
Howard vs. Indiana
When: September 12; Time: Noon
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
The Howard Bison get the biggest opportunity to play in front of a nationally televised audience when they go on the road to play against the reigning College Football Playoff National Champion, Indiana.
This will mark the second straight season that an HBCU has played against the reigning CFP National Champion after Grambling State faced Ohio State last season.
In its last contest against Richmond, Howard nearly came back from a 20-0 halftime deficit, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to trim the deficit to one possession.
The Bison will have to contend with an Indiana team that enters the game riding a 17-game win streak dating back to last season.
Kentucky State vs. Clark Atlanta
When: September 12; Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Conference play gets going in the SIAC when top contender Kentucky State begins its chase for an SIAC championship against Clark Atlanta.
The last time these two teams faced each other, they combined for 838 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns, including Thorobreds receiver Darius Cyprian finishing with six receptions for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
Clark Atlanta enters this game having notched its first win of the season against Morehouse, while Kentucky State suffered its first loss against Southern.
Although the Thorobreds have beaten the Panthers in their last three meetings against them (searching for their first win since 2010), this will be the first time the game will be played in Atlanta since 2009.
Fayetteville State vs. Valdosta State
When: September 12; Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
The Fayetteville State Broncos will get a significant test in their hopes of a postseason berth when they face Division II powerhouse Valdosta State.
Last season, Fayetteville State fell short of an at-large bid into the Division II Playoffs, with Valdosta State making it in as the Gulf South Conference champions after overcoming a 2-4 start to the 2025 season (lost to Albany State in the first round.
The Broncos are looking to improve over their last performance against Valdosta, in which they lost 34-0.
Both teams enter with a perfect 2-0 record, with FSU remaining in the win column thanks to a 10-7 victory over UNC Pembroke.
Johnson C. Smith vs. Winston-Salem State
When: September 12; Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Johnson C. Smith officially begins the defense of its CIAA championship, opening its conference schedule against in-state rival Winston-Salem State.
The Golden Bulls are currently riding a three-game win streak over the Rams, including a 52-27 win last season.
While Winston-Salem State is searching for its first win of the year (and first points), Johnson C. Smith recorded its first win over Albany State in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic.
North Carolina A&T vs. North Carolina Central
When: September 12; Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
A rivalry is renewed in Durham, North Carolina, as North Carolina Central faces North Carolina A&T in the Aggie-Eagle Classic.
The Eagles have owned this series in recent years, winning their last four matchups over the Aggies in convincing fashion.
Each win has come by two possessions, including the last two, which were 40-point wins, for a combined 128 points.
A win for North Carolina Central in this game would tie for the longest streak they have accumulated in this rivalry since 1974.
