Week 2 HBCU FCS Predictions

Week 1 of the 2024 college football season is in the books. So, what have we learned?

The last two HBCU national champions appear to be in championship form. The two teams predicted to win their respective divisions in the Southwestern Athletic Conference are already behind the eight ball. Morgan State is still the East Baltimore Bullies that we saw last season, and Arkansas and Auburn are way too proud of what they did to Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M respectively.

This week, the FCS HBCU football slate is filled with in-state rivalries, SWAC vs. SIAC matchups, a few “Money Games,” and Tennessee State heads to the Fargodome for the first time.

Here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.

Predictions Record:
2024 record: 14-4
Week 1: 14-4

Week 2 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games

All times are Eastern Standard

5. Tuskegee (0-1) at Grambling State (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (HBCU Go Sports)

These two iconic programs haven’t played each other since 1949. Both teams are looking for their first win of the season. Grambling running back Ke’travion Hargrove (12 carries, 61 yards, touchdown) could have a big day against a Golden Tiger defense that allowed 229 yards on the ground last week.

Tigers 27, Golden Tigers 17

4. Virginia Union (1-0) at Hampton (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (FloSports)

A rivalry is renewed as these former interconference in-state foes face off for only the third time since the turn of the century. If Hampton wants to avoid starting the season 0-2 for the first time since 2016, they’ll have to slow down a Panther offense that racked up a school-record 674 yards, led by running back Jada Byers (14 carries, 211 yards, three touchdowns).

Panthers 28, Pirates 27 

3. South Carolina State (0-1) at Citadel (1-0), Saturday, 12:00 PM (ESPN+)

Former head coach Buddy Pough led the Bulldogs to their first-ever win over The Citadel last year, 31-10. If current head coach Chennis Berry wants to duplicate that outcome and earn his first victory on the FCS level, the Bulldog defense can’t allow 15 points in the fourth quarter in consecutive weeks.

South Carolina State 17, Citadel 14 

2. Virginia State (1-0) at Norfolk State (0-2), Saturday, 4:00 PM (ESPN+)

Still in search of their first win of 2024, the Spartans are looking to redeem themselves for last year’s season-opening loss to the Trojans. Saturday’s “Battle of the States” has all the hallmarks of a great ground & pound contest as NSU will look to stop Virginia State running back Jimmyll Williams (150 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns) while re-establishing Kevon King (172 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns) as the focus of their offense.

Spartans 28, Trojans 20

1. Elon (0-1) at North Carolina Central (1-0), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

The Eagles are 4-2 vs. CAA teams under head coach Trei Oliver, including their 34-23 victory over Elon last September. 2022 First Team All-MEAC defensive back Khalil Baker returns to O’Kelly-Riddick for the opposition as the Phoenix will attempt to slow down HBCU National Player of the Week J’Mari Taylor, who amassed 146 total yards and scored three touchdowns last week.

Eagles 31, Phoenix 27

Big South-OVC

Tennessee State (1-0) at #2 North Dakota State (0-1), Saturday, 3:30 PM (ESPN+)

Bison 42, Tigers 7 

CAA

Winston Salem State (1-0) at North Carolina A&T (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (FloSports)

Aggies 21, Rams 17

MEAC

Morgan State (1-0) at Towson (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (FloFootball)

Tigers 27, Bears 20

Mercyhurst (1-0) at Howard (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Bison 28, Lakers 14

SWAC

Mercer (1-0) at Bethune-Cookman (0-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)

Bears 30, Wildcats 14

Miles (0-1) at Alabama State (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

Hornets 24, Golden Bears 21

#24 Florida A&M (2-0) at #12 Miami (1-0), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+/ACC Network)

Hurricanes 49, Rattlers 17

Kentucky State (0-1) at Alabama A&M (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)

Bulldogs 35, Thorobreds 10

Lane (0-0) at Jackson State (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)

Tigers 41, Dragons 13

Mississippi Valley State (0-1) at Lamar (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (Valley Sports Network)

Cardinals 28, Delta Devils 17

Prairie View A&M (0-1) at Northwestern State (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Panthers 17, Demons 14

Savannah State (0-0) at Southern (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (HBCU Go Sports)

Jaguars 20, Tigers 17

Texas Southern (1-0) at Rice (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Owls 49, Tigers 10

Alcorn State (0-1) at Vanderbilt (1-0), Saturday, 7:30 PM (ESPNU)

Commodores 42, Braves 10

Arkansas Baptist (1-0) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-1), Saturday, 8:00 PM (UAPB Sports Network)

Golden Lions 21, Buffaloes 14