Week 8 of HBCU football proved to be the first week where we saw some separation in the SWAC, SIAC, and CIAA, which makes this week’s prediction slate more challenging, but I’m built for this…I think.
Either way, this week features the beginning of MEAC play in full, more heavyweight bouts in the CIAA and SWAC, and some teams looking to make moves in the SIAC. It all adds to another fun and unorthodox week of Black College football.
Before we get to Week 9’s picks, here’s a quick look back at how I fared in Week 8’s games.
Last Week’s Record: 17-5
2024 Overall Record: 156-61-1
Best Pick: Winston-Salem State 33, Livingstone 27 (WSSU won 31-17)
Worst Pick: Florida A&M 30, Jackson State 27 (JSU won 35-21)
Game Of the Week: Johnson C. Smith (7-0, 4-0 CIAA) at Winston-Salem State (6-2, 4-1 CIAA), Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m., CIAASN
Another week, another test for the best story in Black College Football as CIAA-leading Johnson C. Smith heads to Bowman-Gray Stadium to battle Winston-Salem State for what amounts to a Bee Gees game for either side – Stayin’ Alive in the CIAA title game race.
Smith has an awesome defense and a capable offense, which has gotten them off to the best start in program history. They played in the first HBCU football game 132 years ago, so that’s saying something.
The Rams have gotten off to better starts, which include a 2012 national D-II runner-up season, but under Bobby Massey, this team has found the Winston-Salem magic that was missing in action for a few years.
Quarterback play will be key. Darius Ocean manages games quite well for the Golden Bulls, while Daylin Lee has the big-play capability with his arm and feet for WSSU.
A JCSU win pencils them into the CIAA championship game. A Winston-Salem State win means complete and utter chaos at the top of the standings. Those two possibilities alone make this a game-of-the-year candidate.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 20, Winston-Salem State 17
Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama (Magic City Classic), Saturday, Oct. 26, 3:30 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The two Alabama teams have faint hopes of contending for the SWAC East crown, and their bitter rivalry is the best way to determine who can still hold onto hope and who will be playing next year.
The Hornets have turned to wide receiver Kareem Keye at quarterback. In his first start against Mississippi Valley State, he looked like the answer Eddie Robinson Jr. has been looking for, completing 75 percent of his passes for over 300 yards and four touchdowns.
It gets a little more challenging this week against an AAMU team that nearly walked down Jackson State after falling behind by 31 points two weeks ago. It’s put up or shut up time for the Bulldogs, who need a win to stay alive in the SWAC East race and possibly for other reasons.
Prediction: Alabama State 24, Alabama A&M 21
Southern (4-3, 3-0 SWAC West) at Florida A&M (3-3, 1-1 SWAC East), Saturday Oct. 26, 7 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Jaguars have gained a comfortable lead in the SWAC West after heart-stopping wins over Texas Southern and Alcorn State the last two weeks.
They’ll enter a den of angry Rattlers at Bragg Memorial Stadium after FAMU watched an eight-point fourth-quarter lead become a 14-point loss to Jackson State.
FAMU is near the bottom of the conference in rushing defense, and after a 295-yard performance against Alcorn, Southern is looking forward to putting that front seven to the test. The Jags have quarterback concerns as Noah Bodden was hurt late last week, and redshirt freshman Zae Teasett did not attempt a pass in relief.
FAMU’s mission is simple: make Southern throw the ball. If they can’t, the home team could have a long night in Tallahassee.
Prediction: Florida A&M 27, Southern 20
Morgan State (3-4, 0-0 MEAC) at North Carolina Central (5-2, 1-0 MEAC), Saturday Oct. 26, 3:30 p.m. EST, ESPN+
The Eagles and Bears come into this conference showdown off of a bye week, so both teams should be both teams should be well-rested and ready to go.
Central sweated out a 16-10 decision in Baltimore last year, and as head coach Trei Oliver said in the MEAC Coaches’ Call this week, styles make fights. Morgan’s quick and athletic defense could pose problems for NCCU’s overhauled offense.
Morgan’s Achilles’ heel has been a lack of offensive production, so they’ll need to find ways to put points on the board to stop the Eagles from having an early homecoming celebration.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 26, Morgan State 17
Division I
South Carolina State 29, Delaware State 18
Howard 23, Norfolk State 21
Campbell 35, North Carolina A&T 14
Elon 31, Hampton 24
Jackson State 30, Bethune-Cookman 15
Arkansas Pine-Bluff 25, Mississippi Valley State 20
Prairie View A&M 24, Texas A&M-Commerce 18
Grambling State 17, Texas Southern 14
Division II/NAIA
Virginia Union 31, Bowie State 16
Elizabeth City State 27, Lincoln 24
Fayetteville State 22, Shaw 19
Virginia State 33, Bluefield State 13
Tuskegee 27, Central State 17
Kentucky State 29, Allen 24
Fort Valley State 34, Morehouse 17
Miles 32, Benedict 23
Albany State 28, Edward Waters 17
Savannah State 26, Lane 21
West Virginia State 31, UNC-Pembroke 28
Florida Memorial 34, Ave Maria 13
Langston 35, Arkansas Baptist 19
Texas College 28, Oklahoma Panhandle State 27
VUL 21, SC Central Christian 20