The first weekend of HBCU football is fast approaching, and as the MEAC/SWAC Challenge shows, an exciting and competitive season awaits from Dover, Delaware to Langston, Oklahoma.
Approximately 48 HBCU football programs begin their season with hopes of success, either in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta or finishing their season in the NCAA/NAIA playoff system.
A new season also means making weekly game predictions. The first season was mostly a success, with a record of 235 wins and 82 losses. In year two, expect nothing less than chaos. That's the beauty of HBCU football.
Each week we'll feature the Division I and Division II/NAIA games of the week, followed by some key matchups and overall predictions. Let's start with Week 1.
Division I Games of the Week:
North Carolina Central (0-0) vs. Alabama State (0-0), Orange Blossom Classic, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL, Sunday, September 1, 3:00 PM ET, ESPN
Both teams have something to prove in this game and in the 2024 season. North Carolina Central had its dream of winning back-to-back Celebration Bowl titles dashed by Howard last season, while Alabama is looking to finally claim the SWAC Eastern Division crown after defeating Jackson State and Florida A&M.
North Carolina Central's quarterback situation is set with Walker Harris firmly entrenched as the starter, having thrown one of five touchdown passes in last season's win over Mississippi Valley State, while Alabama has yet to decide between Texas Southern transfer Andrew Bodie and Eastern Illinois transfer Jonah O'Brien.
The advantage will depend on which team's offense gets going first, but Alabama State returns some of its best defenders, and while this won't be Harris' first collegiate start, it's not hard to imagine the Hornets swarming him at every opportunity.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 20, Alabama 17
Texas Southern vs. Prairie View, Labor Day Classic, Saturday, August 31, 6pm CST, ESPN+
It's always an exciting and intense game between the rivals, with a win coming against an always unpredictable SWAC West Division contender. Prairie View, the defending division champion, has won the last nine Labor Day Classics but was beaten in overtime last season, 37-34.
Texas Southern University made more headlines off the field than on it with its coaching search, which ultimately led to veteran DB coach and former Houston Oilers All-Pro cornerback Chris Dishman taking the reins. Dishman is approaching his first season with a positive attitude, which will be essential to compete against longtime friend and former teammate Bubba McDowell, who is focused on leading the Panthers back to the SWAC Championship Game.
Prediction: Prairie View 24, Texas Southern 14
South Carolina State (0-0) vs. Florida A&M (1-0), Saturday, August 31, 6 pm ET, ESPN+
The Rattlers overcame a 14-point deficit to Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and faced stiff resistance up front, and it won't get any easier in the Bragg opener when they take on South Carolina State and the big-bodied Bulldogs back in the lineup led by new head coach Chenise Berry.
SCSU will debut new quarterback Eric Phoenix, who led Berry's first undefeated team at Benedict a few seasons ago and will be reunited with his coach after a year at Murray State, while Daniel Richardson proved last week that he has good command of the Rattlers' offense and, surprisingly, is strong on the feet.
Another line of scrimmage battle awaits, but Florida A&M has experience and home-field advantage on Saturday, and both could be crucial factors in determining the outcome of the game.
Prediction: Florida A&M 27, South Carolina State 24
Division II/NAIA games of the week:
Benedictine (0-0) vs. Virginia State (0-0), Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio (Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic), Sunday, September 1, 4 p.m. ET, NFL Network
The Tigers, two-time defending SIAC champions, will face the CIAA championship-favorite Trojans in the annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, a non-conference game with a Division II playoff berth on the line that is expected to draw a sizable crowd early on.
Chenice Berry's replacement, Ron Dickerson Jr., has replenished Benedictine's roster with several newcomers and returning players, including preseason All-SIAC defensive lineman Aaron Miller, to keep the Tigers competitive.
Virginia State went 8-2 last year and will look to continue its tradition of success under coach Henry Frazier III, with quarterback Romello Williams and defensive tackle Cameron Davis returning to the team.
This should be an intriguing matchup between two teams hoping to make the postseason who have barely played each other in years, or at all.
Prediction: Virginia State University 30, Benedict University 20
Division I
Rutgers 31, Howard 17
Wake Forest 35, North Carolina A&T 10
Arkansas 34, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 13
Jackson State University 28, Louisiana State University at Monroe 24
Delaware State University 21, Sacred Heart University 20
UAB 27, Alcorn State University 17
Morgan State University 17, Hampton University 14
Tennessee State University 25, Mississippi Valley State University 14
East Carolina 30, Norfolk State 19
South Florida 23, Bethune-Cookman 17
Auburn 38, Alabama A&M 14
Louisiana 28, Grambling 21
McNeese 33, Southern 24
Division II/NAIA
Shaw 20, Elizabeth City State University 10
Virginia Union 35, Kentucky State University 17
Livingston 23, University of Charleston 14
Winston-Salem State University 24, Bluefield State College 20
Tuskegee 22, Johnson C. Smith 18
Morehead State University 34, Central State University 14
Fort Valley State University 27, Clark Atlanta University 16
Edward Waters 28, Morehouse 13
Valdosta State University 31, Albany State University 28
West Alabama 26, Mile 17
Wagner 37, Virginia Lynchburg 12
