I will admit. The first two weeks of the HBCU Football season have not been good to me, as it pertains to my picks.
I’m a subpar 4-7 right now, taking chances on potential upsets and relying on favorites that haven’t played since 2019. But I will continue to be accountable for my picks throughout the season.
Alabama State, Bethune-Cookman, Grambling State, Howard, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina Central, South Carolina State, and Texas Southern will be facing tough out-of-conference games against FBS opponents while collecting big checks this weekend, so I won’t predict those matchups. But I will take a crack at these eight games.
Here are my picks for this week’s matchups.
FCS vs. FCS Non-Conference
Tennessee State at Jackson State
Saturday, September 11, 7:00 PM (ESPN3)
Last Sunday, it took three TSU QBs to go 13/24 for 118 yards against a Grambling defense that allowed 218 in 2019. This Saturday, Tennessee State will face what seems to be a drastically improved JSU defense from the spring, which allowed 125 passing yards on 42 attempts and six points against Florida A&M.
If Coach Sanders’ “unequivocally upgraded” defense continues to play the way they did this past weekend, not only will Eddie George’s offense have a tough outing on Saturday, the SWAC will be in for some long Saturdays this season.
Jackson State 21, Tennessee State 10
Big South
North Carolina A&T at Duke
Friday, September 10, 8:00 PM (ACC Network)
A depleted version of a usually stout A&T defense allowing 487 yards of total offense, RB Jah-Maine Martin being held to 33 yards on 12 carries, and a momentum-killing missed 38-yard field goal led to a 29-18 loss to Furman. If head coach Sam Washington can’t establish his running game and have his full complement of defensive starters (well, at least the ones that won’t be suspended for the first half due to being ejected for targeting last weekend) against the Blue Devils, the Aggies will be in danger of being 0-2 for the first time since 2010.
Blue Devils 30, Aggies 21
Hampton at Old Dominion
Saturday, September 11, 7:00 PM (ESPN3)
The Pirates got vengeance for their 2019 loss to Division II Virginia Union with a 42-28 win last Saturday. It doesn’t hurt when you put up 611 yards of total offense, led by RBs Darran Butts (11 carries, 143 yards, one TD) and Elijah Burris (15 carries, 136 yads, three TDs). Hampton will now look to end a five-game losing streak to FBS opponent Old Dominion, who is coming off a 42-10 loss to Wake Forest.
The Monarchs are currently on a twelve-game losing streak dating back to 2019 but are riding a nine-game win streak against HBCUs over the last 10 seasons. ODU’s last and only win of 2019 was a 24-21 victory over Norfolk State.
Pirates 24, Monarchs 21
MEAC
Georgetown at Delaware State
Saturday, September 11, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
Head Coach Rod Milstead said, “I’d rather learn from a ‘W’ than from a loss,” referring to the Hornets’ 32-24 victory over Bowie State. Del State allowed 345 yards of total offense and gained under 200 yards themselves, but had 6 total turnovers which led to 21 points. The Hornets haven’t won back-to-back games since 2018 and haven’t started a season 2-0 since 2011. They can achieve that feat when they face Georgetown, who hasn’t played a game in 658 days.
Hornets 30, Hoyas 28
SWAC
Fort Valley State at Florida A&M
Saturday, September 11, 6:00 PM
Last Sunday was the first time FAMU has been held under 10 points by a non-FBS opponent since 2015 – a 36-0 to then-conference foe South Carolina State. After the loss, head coach Willie Simmons named freshman QB Junior Muratovic the starting quarterback for this Saturday’s game against Division II opponent Fort Valley State, who is coming off of a 30-0 blowout over SIAC rival Tuskegee.
Oddly enough, the Rattlers’ last loss to a Division II program was to … Tuskegee in 2016. Since then, FAMU has defeated FVSU by a combined score of 98-27 in their last two matchups.
Rattlers 21, Wildcats 13
Northwestern State at Alcorn State
Saturday, September 11, 7:00 PM
Both teams are coming off Week 1 losses. If Alcorn State is going to rebound and start their season 1-1 for the ninth consecutive season, they may want to lean on RBs Stadford Anderson and Niko Duffy. Northwestern State, who is 9-21 over their last 30 games, gave up 345 yards on the ground in their 44-14 loss to North Texas last week. But the Demons are 1-1 against the SWAC over the last five seasons.
Braves 24, Demons 21
Miles College at Southern
Saturday, September 11, 7:00 PM
Again, both combatants are coming off tough Week 1 losses, but for different reasons. Miles fell to Alabama State 14-13 in overtime, making the Jags their second SWAC opponent in as many weeks. Southern received a 55-3 drubbing to FBS opponent Troy, turning the ball over more times than Troy was penalized (4-3).
Not only will Jason Rollins be looking for his first-ever win as head coach of Southern, but the Jaguars will also be looking to be the fifth straight SWAC opponent to give Miles a loss over the past five seasons.
Jaguars 21, Golden Bears 14
Prairie View A&M at Incarnate Word
Saturday, September 11, 8:00 PM (ESPN3)
Led by QB Jawon Pass (25/37, 354 yards, 3 TDs), the Panthers offense tallied 486 yards of total offense in their 40-17 win over in-state SWAC rival Texas Southern last Saturday. This could very well be a shoot-out in San Antonio, as Incarnate Word QB Cameron Ward passed for 352 yds and 4 TDs in their 44-41 overtime loss to Youngstown State.
Cardinals 35, Panthers 31
