Quick notes
My record
I went 29-6 in last week’s picks and I’m currently 92-12 overall.
Circle City Classic
Central State (2-1) vs. Kentucky State (0-3)
The annual (and time tested) Circle City Classic this Saturday in Indianapolis will feature SIAC members Central State and Kentucky State. The CCC is one of the all-time great HBCU football classic games with a lot of history and deserves to be mentioned only for that reason, but there’s nothing unique about the matchup or the outcome that will likely follow. My pick: Central State
Tennessee State (2-1) vs. Florida A&M (0-3)
This is another one of those historic contests worthy of mentioning simply because of the two schools involved. But it’s not likely to be much of a contest with FAMU struggling to find its first win of the season – especially after being shut out 36-0 last week to South Carolina State. My pick: Tennessee State
The Battle of the Bay
Norfolk State (0-3) vs. Hampton (2-1)
If it hadn’t been for that crappy MEAC officiating crew, according to Hampton head coach Connell Maynor, the Pirates might be 3-0, instead of 2-1 in preparing to take on Norfolk State on the road in Saturday’s annual Battle of the Bay game. The Spartans have arguably played the toughest FCS nonconference schedule in the country. All three of their losses come at the hands of FBS teams (Rutgers, ODU and Marshall). With NSU being battle tested early in the season and Hampton off to a solid start despite a three-point loss to an FCS top 25 opponent in Richmond two weeks ago, the winner of this game will be a legitimate sleeper in contenting for a MEAC title. This the MEAC game of the week. My pick: Norfolk State
State Fair Classic
Prairie View A&M (2-1) vs. Grambling (1-2)
I used to call this game “a circus” years ago because of all the off-the-field antics that took place while the Panthers and Tigers played on the field. Fortunately, the State Fair Classic has evolved to once again being just about the game. Three weeks into the season, both teams have shown they can score points quickly and often, and I expect the same to happen Saturday in the Cotton Bowl. It would be easy to call this game a toss-up, because there is no clear cut advantage that either team posses. But it is impossible for me, a Grambling man, to attempt to analyze this game without bias. Yep, this is another homer pick. My pick: Grambling
Sept. 26
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Alabama A&M
Kutztown vs. Cheyney
Saint Augustine’s vs. Chowan
Johnson C. Smith vs. Virginia Union
Charleston (WV) vs. West Virginia State
Fayetteville State vs. Virginia State
Southern vs. Georgia
Edward Waters vs. Point University
Concordia-Selma vs. Alcorn State
Albany State vs. Delta State
Tuskegee vs. Lane
Truman State vs. Lincoln (MO)
Clark Atlanta vs. West Georgia
Kentucky State vs. Central State
Morgan State vs. Howard
Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling
McMurray vs. Langston
Morehouse vs. Miles
Savannah State vs. Bethune-Cookman
Winston-Salem State vs. Elizabeth City State
Hampton vs. Norfolk State
Texas Southern vs. Jackson State
Alabama State vs. Miss Valley State
Livingstone vs. Bowie State
Tennessee State vs. Florida A&M
Benedict vs. Fort Valley State
Shaw vs. Lincoln (PA)
Last week’s record: 29-6, Overall record: 92-12
