After getting a taste of FCS HBCU football in Week 0 spotlighted by a come-from-behind victory from last season’s Black College Football National Champs and a game that started at midnight on the East Coast, we have a full tilt of games for Week 1.
Who will win their respective divisions in the Southwestern Athletic Conference? How tightly contested will the six-team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference be this season? How many teams will participate in postseason play? After their big win this past weekend, will Florida A&M become the first team to start and finish their season in Atlanta during the Celebration Bowl era?
But before answering those questions, we must play these 16 season-openers.
Here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.
Week 1 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games
All times are Eastern Standard
5. Mississippi Valley State at Tennessee State, Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
The 2024 John Merrit Classic will pit two teams who haven’t faced each other since 2019. Both teams saw their fair share of struggles in 2023, totaling 552 yards per game between the two programs. Quarterback Ty’Jarian Williams (1,197 passing yards, 8 total touchdowns, 6 interceptions), tight end Jaxson Davis (406 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns), and wide receiver Kerrick Ross (335 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns) will look to improve for MVSU. The Delta Devil defense will have their hands full attempting to contain dual-threat quarterback Draylen Ellis (1,075 passing yards, 11 total touchdowns, 5 interceptions) and running back Jordan Gant (553 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns).
Tigers 24, Golden Lions 14
4. Morgan State at Hampton, Saturday, 6:00 PM (FloSports)
This will be the first time these former MEAC foes will meet since 2016. Offensively, Hampton will lean on quarterback Christopher Zellous (2,056 total yards, 22 total touchdowns, 14 interceptions) and All-CAA Preseason First Team selection Elijah Burris (803 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns). However, if the Pirates want to win their sixth season opener, their entirely new offensive line will have to slow down All-MEAC selections linebacker Erick Hunter and defensive lineman Elijah Williams.
Bears 21, Pirates 17
3. Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M, Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Good friends and former NFL teammates Cris Dishman and Bubba McDowell will face off as head coaches at this year’s Labor Day Classic. It’s tough enough starting the season with a conference game. Even tougher for Texas Southern, who is currently riding a nine-game losing streak to the Panthers. Gone are Andrew Body, Quaydari Davis, and LaDarius Owens, who led the Tigers in their season-opening loss last year. Returning quarterback Jace Wilson (1,630 passing yards, 12 total touchdowns, 5 interceptions) will look to establish himself against a Panther pass defense that allowed 255 yards per contest.
Panthers 28, Tigers 24
2. South Carolina State at Florida A&M, Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
Welcome back to FCS Football, Chennis Berry. Your first opponent: The 2023 Black College Football Champions Florida A&M. As the new head coach in Orangeburg transitions from the Division II ranks, his team will be tested early facing the Rattlers coming off a tough win. Quarterback Daniel Richardson (22/30, 286 passing yards, 3 touchdowns) was impressive in his first start with FAMU. As they prepare to face another experienced offensive line, the Rattlers will have to tighten up on their rushing defense if they want to extend their home win streak to 21.
Rattlers 27, Bulldogs 24
1. North Carolina Central vs. Alabama State, Sunday, 3:00 PM (ESPN)
For the past three seasons, the Orange Blossom Classic winner has gone on to play in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. Could that be the case this year in what many believe to be the preview to the Black College Football Championship game this December? Both teams will have new starting signal-callers. Quarterback Walker Harris will take over the helm for the Eagles, while transfers Andrew Body and Jonah O’Brien are still fighting for that spot in Montgomery.
Eagles 20, Hornets 17
CAA
North Carolina A&T at Wake Forest, Thursday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+/ACC Network)
Demon Deacons 38, Aggies 17
MEAC
Howard at Rutgers, Thursday, 6:00 PM (BigTen Network)
Scarlet Knights 24, Bison 14
Delaware State at Sacred Heart, Saturday, 6:00 PM
Pioneers 21, Hornets 17
Norfolk State at East Carolina, Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
Pirates 28, Spartans 14
SWAC
Jackson State at UL-Monroe, Thursday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Tigers 20, Warhawks 14
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Arkansas, Thursday, 7:30 PM (ESPNU)
Razorbacks 56, Delta Devils 7
Alcorn State at UA-Birmingham, Thursday, 8:00 PM (ESPN+)
Blazers 30, Braves 17
Bethune-Cookman at South Florida, Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Bulls 38, Wildcats 12
Alabama A&M at Auburn, Saturday, 7:30 PM (ESPN+/SEC Network)
Tigers 51, Bulldogs 14
Grambling State at Louisiana, Saturday, 8:00 PM (ESPN+)
Ragin’ Cajuns 34, Tigers 13
Southern at McNeese State, Saturday, 8:00 PM (ESPN+)
Jaguars 17, Cowboys 14
