Week 5 of the 2026 HBCU football season gets hotter even as summer is officially in the books.
This weekend’s slate features more SIAC and CIAA battles, two proud institutions starving for a win and a SWAC East showdown that could go a long way toward determining at least one SWAC title game participant.
Before we look into the Chris-tal ball for Week 5, let’s quickly recap Week 4’s action, which was full of surprises.
Week 4 Record: 20-9
2026 overall record: 109-38
Best Pick: South Carolina State 27, Bethune-Cookman 17 (Bulldogs won 31-21. BCU will be a tough out in the SWAC East, but SCSU remains unbeaten.)
Worst Pick: Rhode Island 29, North Carolina A&T 14 (The Aggies won 22-18. They’ve got something, they just need some consistency.)
Game Of the Week: Kentucky State (4-1, 3-0 SIAC) at Edward Waters (4-1, 3-0 SIAC), Saturday Oct. 3, 2 p.m. EST, ESPN Plus
Two of the SIAC’s last three unbeaten teams will square off Saturday afternoon in what promises to be a track meet.
Edward Waters ranks 22nd in all of Division II in points per game (37.4) while Kentucky State has shown the capability to rack up points themselves.
This could be a championship game preview, but as crazy as the SIAC has been, it could be just another big game in a series of big games, but it will be fun to watch.
If there were ever a game where whoever has the ball last wins applies, it’s this one.
Prediction: Kentucky State 35, Edward Waters 31
Howard vs. Hampton, Truth and Services Classic, Audi Field, Washington D.C., Saturday Oct. 3, 3 p.m. EST, HBCU GO
Howard finally snapped their long losing streak against Hampton in last season’s Battle of the Real HU, but unfortunately, neither team will come into this year’s showdown looking their best.
The Bison suffered another Power 4 loss at the hands of Rutgers while Hampton has given up nearly 45 points per game in four straight losses.
Something has to give at Audi Field and the Bison look better equipped to take the win at this point.
Prediction: Howard 20, Hampton 14
Alabama A&M (4-1, 3-0 SWAC) vs. Jackson State (4-0, 3-0 SWAC), Gulf Coast Challenge, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala., Saturday Oct. 3, 5 p.m. EST, SWAC TV
Sam Shade promised improvement from AAMU and the Bulldogs have already matched their 2025 win total five games into 2026.
They get a real test this week from defending SWAC East champion Jackson State, who vaulted into the FCS top 25 after defeating Southern in the Boombox Classic.
While the Bulldogs are much improved this season, Jackson State looks poised for another deep run into the SWAC title game and possibly the Celebration Bowl.
Prediction: Jackson State 30, Alabama State 21
Week 5
Saturday, Oct. 3
South Carolina State 28, The Citadel 17
Delaware State 24, U. of Albany 21
Norfolk State 35, Robert Morris 28
Villanova 23, Morgan State 20
Campbell 31, North Carolina Central 16
Tennessee State 19, Western Illinois 16
Prairie View A&M 33, Mississippi Valley State 13
Alcorn State 25, Grambling State 21
Alabama State 30, Bethune-Cookman 27
Florida Atlantic 27, Texas Southern 15
Southern 21, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17
West Liberty 29, West Virginia State 22
Lincoln (Mo.) 31, Southwest Baptist 30
Johnson C. Smith 35, Bluefield State 13
Shaw 26, Bowie State 24
Virginia Union 31, Elizabeth City State 17
Virginia State 33, Lincoln (Pa.) 20
Fayetteville State 21, Livingstone 16
Central State 22, Fort Valley State 18
Benedict 24, Clark Atlanta 13
Miles 32, Lane 15
Allen 27, Savannah State 24
Tuskegee 34, Morehouse 20
Texas College 15, Westgate Christian 14
Ottawa (Kan.) 30, Langston 23
Texas Wesleyan 28, Arkansas Baptist 18
Florida Memorial 34, Southeastern 28
