The HBCU football Division I schedule winds down for the most part in Week 13, but a pair of D-II schools have entered the second season and are looking to make some waves in the playoffs.
As we look into the Chris-tal ball (one time for senior editor Kendrick Marshall coming up with that play on words), we’ll see if the D-II schools have the juice while the D-Is try not to start any more food fights before, during, and after the game.
Before Week 13’s predictions, let’s look back at Week 12.
Last Week’s Record: 15-3
2024 Overall Record: 228-89-1
Best Pick: Virginia Union 20, Virginia State 17 (Union won 17-13)
Worst Pick: Florida A&M 25, Mississippi Valley State 16 (MVSU won 24-21…*snickers*)
Game Of the Week: Carson-Newman (9-2, 7-1 South Atlantic) at Miles College (9-2, 8-0 SIAC), NCAA Division II first round, Saturday, Nov. 23, 12 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Golden Bears have earned a home playoff game after running through the SIAC, and their reward is a physical Carson-Newman squad that runners up in the South Atlantic Conference.
The Eagles have rushed for over 3,000 yards total as a team, with less than a third of that total attributed to their passing game, so this looks like a smash-mouth, old-school, three-yards-in-a-cloud-of-Alabama-dust kind of game.
For Miles, who surrenders less than 100 yards per game on the ground, the battle of the trenches will be key, as they have six ballcarriers of their own with at least 200-plus yards rushing on the season. The leaders are Jonero Scott and Javonta Leatherwood, who are reliable runners who can get to the end zone.
Don’t expect a track meet, but a demolition derby. Considering that CNU is the one doing the traveling, that could benefit Miles in a major way.
Prediction: Miles 21, Carson-Newman 19
Virginia Union (8-3, 6-1 CIAA) at Wingate (9-3, 6-1 South Atlantic), NCAA Division II first round, Saturday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Panthers and Bulldogs meet for the second time in three seasons, this time with Union visiting the South Atlantic champion Bulldogs.
Union was able to stave off in-state rival Virginia State to win the CIAA thanks to an opportunistic defense and a punishing ground game, but Wingate has allowed just 854 yards on the ground all season. The Panthers’ Jada Byers has rushed for 918 yards in his last five games alone, so the irresistible force will meet the immovable object this weekend.
The Virginia Union defense will have to deal with a balanced Wingate attack led by quarterback Brooks Bentley, who has a favorite target in receiver Evan McCray (42 catches, 569 yards, six touchdowns).
This is the best Virginia Union team across the board in Alvin Parker’s tenure as head coach. They’ll need to be at their extreme best to have a shot against a dominant opponent this weekend.
Prediction: Wingate 24, Virginia Union 17
Jackson State (9-2, 5-0 SWAC East) at Alcorn State (6-5, 4-1 SWAC West), Saturday Nov. 23, 3 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Soul Bowl may not have SWAC title game implications, but the heated rivalry of the conference’s two top Mississippi teams will still be a game to watch.
The Tigers have secured their spot in the championship game by going undefeated in the East and they’ll look to finish their entire conference slate unbeaten against a Braves team playing for pride and a second straight win over JSU.
To do that, the Braves must find a way to stop Jackson State running back Irv Mulligan and find a way to score points against a stingy Tiger defense.
A rivalry game of this magnitude will certainly see both teams playing with everything to lose, so don’t be surprised if this game comes down to the wire.
Prediction: Jackson State 30, Alcorn State 23
Southeast Missouri (9-2, 6-1) vs. Tennessee State (8-3, 5-2, Big South-OVC) at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 23, 4:30 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Tigers control their destiny, to a point, with the conference-leading Redhawks visiting Nissan Stadium this weekend.
Big Blue must win and hope UT-Martin and Tennessee Tech stumble in their season finales to clinch the Big South-OVC playoff auto bid.
Slowing down SEMO’s high-octane passing offense, led by quarterback Paxton DeLaurent (293-of-487, 3287 yards, 27 touchdowns) will be their best bet, while wearing down a defense that allows 115 yards per game on the ground. If Tennessee State’s runners – that includes quarterback Draylen Ellis – can lure the Redhawks into a game of chase, then they’ll be able to do their part…and hope Lindenwood and Eastern Illinois do theirs.
Prediction: Tennessee State 34, Southeast Missouri 30
Division I
South Carolina State 27, Norfolk State 17
North Carolina Central 35, Delaware State 15
Morgan State 17, Howard 14
Elon 28, North Carolina A&T 14
Albany 26, Hampton 20
Alabama A&M 31, Mississippi Valley State 26
Alabama State 20, Prairie View A&M 17
Texas Southern 23, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 21
Florida A&M 27, Bethune-Cookman 24
