Week 7 of the HBCU football season is highlighted by a pair of contests between teams logjammed in the middle of the CIAA standings.
Then, we get a pair of SWAC West contests, including Alcorn State and Southern seeking to keep their conference record unblemished.
Here are the games you should follow this weekend.
Shaw vs. Winston-Salem State
Date: October 12; Time: 1 pm ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Winston-Salem State returns home to host Shaw in a battle between teams trying to stay in CIAA championship contention.
While WSSU comes into this game off a loss to Virginia Union, Shaw is coming off avenging a loss to Virginia Union with a win over Bluefield State.
The Rams and Bears are two of four teams tied for third place in the CIAA, holding 2-1 conference records. Johnson C. Smith and Virginia Union still being undefeated in conference play adds to the urgency for these two teams to come away with a win in this contest.
Livingstone vs. Fayetteville State
Date: October 12; Time: 2 pm ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
The other two teams that currently hold 2-1 conference records will also clash as Livingstone travels to face Fayetteville State.
Livingstone’s win against Elizabeth City State last week equaled its win total from last season. Meanwhile, Fayetteville State bounced back from losing to Virginia State, beating Bowie State on a game-winning field goal in overtime.
In their last matchup, Fayetteville State scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to squeak past the Blue Bears for the seventh straight time.
If the Broncos want to keep their hopes of a seventh straight CIAA championship berth, they need to win this game.
Albany State vs. Miles
Date: October 12; Time: 3 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
In a matchup of the last two teams with unblemished conference records in the SIAC, Albany State goes on the road for a date against Miles.
Albany State has gotten the best of Miles in recent years, winning four straight against the Golden Bears by an average margin of over 29 points per game.
After starting the season 0-2, both Miles and Albany State have corrected themselves, winning three straight, including wins against Central State and Allen in their last contests.
Beyond securing sole possession of first place in the SIAC, both teams want to prevent themselves from being in a log jam for second place in the conference.
Alcorn State vs. Grambling State
Date: October 12; Time: 3 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
In the first of two SWAC West division clashes, the Grambling State Tigers return from a bye week to face the Alcorn State Braves.
The last time Grambling State took the football field, they went to war with Prairie View A&M, coming out on the losing end of a five-overtime thriller.
Alcorn State, on the other hand, improved its conference record to 2-0 following a homecoming win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
While Grambling State is searching for its first conference win of the year, Alcorn State has a chance to create separation within the SWAC West in its bid for its first division title since 2019.
Southern vs. Texas Southern
Date: October 12; Time: 7 pm ET
How to Watch: SWAC Digital Network
Another SWAC West division contest between Southern and Texas Southern rounds out the list of games to watch in Week 7.
In their matchup last season, the Jaguars won in overtime, taking advantage of a Tigers missed field goal by scoring on a game-winning touchdown run on the ensuing possession.
The Jaguars’ only conference game so far this year was an overtime win against Prairie View A&M. Texas Southern dropped its last conference contest against Jackson State, bringing its record to 1-1 against the SWAC.