Week Three of the 2026 HBCU football season keeps on truckin’ with D-II conference play picking up and D1 teams continuing to navigate a tough out-of-conference slate in between conference battles.
The Chris-tal ball was cookin’ in Week 2 with another great week, so let’s look back at those results before we predict Week 3’s matchups.
Week 2 Record: 25-4
2026 overall record: 69-19
Best Pick: North Carolina Central 27, North Carolina A&T 17 (Eagles won 30-22. Another heated Aggie-Eagle Classic goes to the Durham gang.)
Worst Pick: Lincoln (Mo.) 21, Langston 13 (Langston won 19-14. Feels like Lincoln takes one step forward and two steps back…)
Game Of the Week: Hampton (1-2, 0-1 CAA) at Norfolk State (1-2), Battle of the Bay, Saturday Sept. 19, 4 p.m., MEAC Network
Another Saturday, another old CIAA rivalry that still has plenty of smoke at the Division I level.
Michael Vick’s Spartans have looked much better than at any point in 2025 and having this game at home this year will work in their favor.
Hampton is looking to hit the reset button with new coach Van Malone, but tough losses at Maryland and a nightmarish conference opener vs. Bryant means this game has added importance, for confidence’s sake.
That likely won’t be enough this week.
Prediction: Norfolk State 28, Hampton 20
Tennessee State (0-2) at Florida A&M (1-2), Saturday Sept. 19, 7 p.m. EST, HBCU GO
This game is a long way away from the legendary battles of John Merritt and Jake Gaither, but the nostalgia still makes this one worth a watch.
The Rattlers are still trying to find some mojo after losing quarterback Isaiah Knowles for the season while TSU is hoping to find some points soon or else 2026 will be just as bad as 2025 was.
Bragg is a tough place to play as is, but having a week off should help the Tigers in some form. If they keep it close, they’ve got a shot.
Prediction: Florida A&M 24, Tennessee State 21
Fayetteville State (2-1, 1-0 CIAA) at Johnson C. Smith (2-1, 1-0, CIAA), Saturday Sept. 19, 1 p.m., CIAA Network
One of the most pivotal late-season CIAA games in recent years moves up to Week Three.
The Broncos were tied up by a resurgent Valdosta State last week while the defending conference champ Golden Bulls handily defeated Winston-Salem State.
As JCSU continues to retool their offense, the always tough Fayetteville State defense will look to make a statement early.
Count this as the next best bet for Game of the Week.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 21, Fayetteville State 17
Benedict (2-0, 0-0 SIAC) at Fort Valley State (1-2, 0-1 SIAC), Saturday Sept. 19, 1 p.m., ESPN Plus
Benedict opens their quest for a SIAC title at Fort Valley State, and coming off of a week off, the Tigers are likely the last team the Wildcats want to see.
FVSU will have to find a way to score against a stingy BC defense that doesn’t take kindly to visitors in the red zone.
Strange things always happen in the SIAC, so Fort Valley has a chance, but if they can’t create opportunities for themselves, it could be a long day.
Prediction: Benedict 31, Fort Valley State 18
Week 3
Saturday, Sept. 19
Morgan State 20, Towson 19
North Carolina Central 17, Gardner-Webb 16
South Florida 34, Delaware State 17
South Carolina State 30, Furman 27
Bethune-Cookman 35, Virginia-Lynchburg 13
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 28, Central State 17
North Alabama 29, Alcorn State 16
Alabama A&M 32, Bowie State 14
Jackson State 33, Tuskegee 15
Southern 27, Louisiana Christian 18
Mississippi Valley State 22, Delta State 19
Prairie View A&M 26, Stephen F. Austin 14
North Carolina A&T 14, Campbell 13
Shaw 24, Lincoln (Pa.) 16
Virginia State 28, Elizabeth City State 18
Winston-Salem State 21, Livingstone 20
Virginia Union 35, Bluefield State 14
West Virginia State 34, West Virginia Wesleyan 13
Lincoln (Mo.) 17, Quincy (Ill.) 14
Kentucky State 34, Saginaw Valley State 31
Albany State 27, Allen 20
Lane 18, Morehouse 16
Clark Atlanta 23, Miles 21
Edward Waters 32, Savannah State 17
Florida Memorial 33, Reinhardt 32
Langston 30, Texas College 20
Arkansas Baptist 31, Nelson 28
