The first full month of the season is done, and the postseason hopes within the HBCU FCS football landscape are slowly starting to develop, while it’s evident that some programs should start thinking about 2025 now.
Alcorn State, Alabama State, Jackson State, North Carolina Central, and Southern are all out to early conference leads. To the converse, Bethune-Cookman and Mississippi Valley State are still winless while North Carolina A&T hasn’t defeated an FCS program since September 2023.
The Wildcats (40.4), Aggies (43.6), and Delta Devils (47.2) have three of the worst-scoring defenses in the nation. Both A&T and MVSU have allowed 42 or more points over the past three games. A feat neither team has achieved since 2006 and 2016, respectively.
As we turn the page to October, we realize that Homecoming season is upon us.
Alabama State, Alcorn State, Delaware State, Morgan State, and Texas Southern will celebrate this weekend, while Bethune-Cookman, Grambling State, Howard, and Mississippi Valley State are on byes.
Here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.
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Predictions Record:
2024 record: 67-13
Week 5: 9-2
Week 6 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games
All times are Eastern Standard
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-3, 0-0) at Alcorn State (2-3, 1-0), Saturday, 3:00 PM (HBCU GO)
Even after Alcorn’s rough 1-3 start, their 42-21 victory over Mississippi Valley State has them 1-0 in league play. This week, the Braves look to improve to .500 as they welcome UAPB to Lorman for Homecoming. Winners of three straight over the Golden Lions and six of their last seven meetings, Alcorn will look to take advantage of the nation’s eighth-worst scoring defense.
Braves 35, Golden Lions 17
4. North Carolina Central (3-2) at Campbell (2-3), Saturday, 4:00 PM (FloSports)
Last season, NCCU defeated Campbell in OT, 49-48. This Saturday, both teams will look different at the skilled positions. However, this game still has the potential of being another shootout. The Eagles will look to slow down the nation’s ninth-best passer in Chad Mascoe (1,124 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, 2 interceptions), and second-best receiver Sincere Brown (491 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns). The Camel defense, however, will face signal-caller Walker Harris (245 passing yards, 4 touchdowns) fresh off Central’s Circle City Classic victory over Norfolk State.
Eagles 31, Camels 27
3. Tennessee State (3-2, 1-1) at Lindenwood (2-3, 1-0), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
TSU stole one away from Charleston Southern last week to earn their first conference victory of the season. A win here and the Tigers will start the season 4-2 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2016 & 2017. Last season, TSU defeated Lindenwood 43-20 in their ever first meeting. This week, the Big South-OVC’s third-best pass defense will have to deal with quarterback Nate Glantz and wide receiver Jeff Caldwell who connected on four unanswered touchdown passes in their 28-25 come-from-behind win over Eastern Illinois a week ago.
Tigers 27, Lions 21
2. Alabama A&M (2-2, 0-0) vs Jackson State (3-2, 1-0), Saturday, 5:00 PM (ESPN+)
You’ll have to go back to Spring 2021 for the last time Alabama A&M defeated Jackson State. And, if dual-threat quarterback Jacobian Morgan can come close to replicating his four-touchdown outing against Texas Southern, the SWAC’s highest-scoring offense will extend their win streak to four over AAMU at this year’s Gulf Coast Challenge.
Tigers 30, Bulldogs 21
1. Florida A&M (2-2. 0-0) at Alabama State (2-2, 1-0), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)
According to preseason predictions, Alabama State’s Homecoming was supposed to be the matchup determining the SWAC East Division Champion. The loss of quarterback Andrew Body has led to the Hornets producing the worst pass offense in the nation. However, a 308-yard performance on the ground last week led by running back Jamarie Hostzclaw (15 carries, 120 rushing yards) would give ASU a much-needed conference win over Bethune-Cookman. ASU will look to exploit the SWAC’s third-worst rush defense in their attempt to defeat the Rattlers for the first time since FAMU joined the SWAC.
Rattlers 17, Hornets 14
CAA
Rhode Island (3-1, 1-0) at Hampton (3-2, 0-1), Saturday, 2:00 PM (FloSports)
Rams 24, Pirates 20
North Carolina A&T (1-4. 0-1) at Richmond (3-2, 1-0), Saturday, 2:00 PM (FloSports)
Spiders 42, Aggies 24
MEAC
St. Francis (PA) (1-3) at Delaware State (1-3), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)
Red Flash 27, Hornets 20
Lincoln (PA) (0-4) at Morgan State (2-3), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)
Bears 35, Lions 12
Norfolk State (2-4) at Sacred Heart (2-3), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)
Spartans 31, Pioneers 14
South Carolina State (2-2) at Tennessee Tech (2-2), Saturday, 2:30 PM (ESPN+)
Bulldogs 24, Golden Eagles 21
SWAC
Virginia Lynchburg (0-5) at Texas Southern (1-3), Saturday, 3:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)
Tigers 49, Dragons 7
Prairie View A&M (2-3) at Incarnate Word (2-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Cardinals 28, Panthers 17
Nicholls (1-3) at Southern (2-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (Jaguar Sports Network)
Colonels 31, Jaguars 27
