This week, Homecoming Season continues for Alabama A&M and Tennessee State. The SWAC’s elite rushing (Alcorn State, 209 yards per game) and passing (Southern, 252.4 yards per game) offenses look to stay atop the West Division. Florida A&M, Hampton, Jackson State, North Carolina A&T, and South Carolina State will have the week off.

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

Predictions Record:
2024 record: 80-14
Week 6: 13-1

Week 7 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games

All times are Eastern Standard

5. Sacred Heart (3-3) at Howard (2-3), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)

Fresh off a bye, the Bison are looking to start the season .500 after their first six games for the first time since 2017. Head coach Larry Scott’s first victory at Howard came from a win over Sacred Heart in 2021. However, the program is 3-12 vs FCS opponents in the Scott Era. I expect that win total to change this weekend. Even with Sacred Heart having a Top 20 defense, look for running backs Jarett Hunter (378 rushing yards, three touchdowns) and Eden James (230 rushing yards, two touchdowns) to exploit a rush defense that allows 186 yards per game on the ground.

Bison 24, Pioneers 14

4. Mississippi Valley State at (0-5, 0-1) at Alabama State (2-3, 1-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM

Both teams suffered tough conference losses this past weekend. Nonetheless, they are only one game back in the loss column within the SWAC’s East Division standings. The Delta Devils enter Saturday’s matchup as the nation’s worst team in turnovers lost facing a Bama State defense that is ninth in the nation in turnovers gained. Unfortunately, the Hornets are having issues with their pass offensively. Playing their fifth quarterback of the season last week, ASU totaled four completions for 68 yards in their loss to FAMU. But somebody has to win this week, right?

Hornets 17, Delta Devils 10

3. Eastern Illinois (1-5, 0-2) at Tennessee State (4-2, 2-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

A half-game behind three teams in the Big South-OVC standings, the Tigers head into homecoming with an opportunity to extend their current win streak to three. A feat head coach Eddie George has accomplished every year during his tenure in Nashville since 2021. If TSU wants to redeem themselves after last season’s 30-17 loss to EIU, they’ll have to slow down signal-caller Pierce Holley. The Panther QB passed for 300-plus yards in his last two outings.

Tigers 28 Panthers 24

2. Southern (2-3, 1-0) at Texas Southern (2-3, 1-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)

When the season started, expectations were low for the Jags and Tigers. Nevertheless, both teams are a victory away from having two conference wins and staying close to the top of the West Division … for now. Southern is looking to bounce back after a 51-7 defeat by Nicholls. Even though Texas Southern stopped a three-game skid after defeating Virginia-Lynchburg 28-10 last week, they failed to pile up points against a Dragons defense that’s given up 51 points per contest over their first five games.

Jaguars 20, Tigers 17

1. Alcorn State (3-3, 2-0) at Grambling State (3-2, 0-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

The Braves sit atop the SWAC’s West Division, thanks in part to the strong play of quarterback Xzavier Vaughn (536 total yards, five touchdowns, interception) and running back Jacorian Sewell (275 rushing yards, two touchdowns) during their current two-game win streak. The Tigers are currently averaging 31.4 points per contest. However, they would come up short vs. Prairie View A&M at the end of five overtimes two weeks ago. These teams have split their last six matchups, but Alcorn hasn’t won in Grambling since 2017.

Braves 31, Tigers 28

MEAC

Towson (2-3) at Norfolk State (2-5), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)

Tigers 27, Spartans 14

Virginia Lynchburg (0-6) at #24 North Carolina Central (4-2), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)

Eagles 49, Dragons 12

Delaware State (1-5) at Robert Morris (2-3), Saturday, 3:00 PM

Colonials 28, Hornets 20

Merrimack (1-4) at Morgan State (3-3), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Bears 17, Warriors 14

SWAC

Prairie View A&M at (2-4, 1-2) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-4, 0-1), Friday, 9:15 PM (ESPN2)

Panthers 28, Golden Lions 20

Bethune-Cookman at (0-5, 0-1) at Alabama A&M (2-3, 0-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM ()

Bulldogs 27, Wildcats 24

The post Week 7 HBCU FCS Predictions appeared first on HERO Sports.

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.

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

The post Week 6 HBCU FCS Predictions appeared first on HERO Sports.

Quarterback Jalen Daniels (20/29, 277 yards, 3 touchdowns) shined in Norfolk State’s win over VMI. Morgan State used a familiar formula of running the ball for almost 300 yards to defeat Virginia-Lynchburg. Strong defensive performances were key for Grambling State and Southern as they remained undefeated in conference play. Hampton continues to prove that they are the “Real HU” on the gridiron as they extend their win streak to eight over Howard, while North Carolina Central easily disposed of longtime North Carolina A&T.

The Eagles would score in almost every way possible in their 66-24 triumph over the Aggies. The 66 points is the largest point total allowed by an A&T defense since their 70-7 loss to Bethune-Cookman in 2006.

In Week 5, the slate is comprised of league play for Hampton, Tennessee State, and the SWAC, Howard will face their third different Ivy League opponent in as many years when they travel to New Jersey, and three teams from the MEAC will compete against CAA adversaries including a rivalry renewed by North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Southern are off this week while Saturday’s game between Alabama A&M and Florida A&M has been postponed because of Tropical Storm Helene.

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

Predictions Record:
2024 record: 58-11
Week 3: 12-3

Week 5 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games

All times are Eastern Standard

5. North Carolina A&T (1-3) at South Carolina State (1-2), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

This once-heated MEAC rivalry has been lopsided over their last matchups, with A&T winning eight of those including the past seven straight. Unfortunately for the Greensboro Faithful, the Aggies are a combined 2-13 since joining the CAA. That once daunted Blue Death Defense is now the 11th-worst unit in the nation in yards allowed and 7th-worst in points allowed. Look for SCSU quarterback Eric Phoenix (532 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, interception) to have a field day with A&T’s porous pass defense.

Bulldogs 31, Aggies 21

4. Jackson State (2-2, 0-0) at Texas Southern (1-2, 1-0) Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Both teams are looking to rebound from tough losses last week. This week likely won’t be any easier for Texas Southern. TSU running back Quintell Quinn (23 carries, 149 rushing yards vs. Lamar) will have his hands full with the SWAC’s best-rushing defense. Not to mention, JSU hasn’t dropped a game to TSU since 2010, including last year’s two-point loss in Mississippi.

Jackson State 31, Texas Southern 20

3. Prairie View A&M (1-3, 0-2) vs. Grambling State (3-1, 0-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Five forced turnovers led to 24 points in Grambling’s 21-point victory over Jackson State last week. The win gives the Tigers the best overall record in the SWAC and their first 3-1 start in seven seasons. Success this Saturday at the State Fair Classic for GSU will put them in first place in the conference’s Wild Wild West Division. If linebacker Andrew Jones (38 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs) and the rest of the Grambling defense can continue to force turnovers and pressure PVAMU’s quarterback – who has been sacked third-most in the nation – Mickey Joseph will become the first GSU head coach to start his first season 4-1.

Tigers 28, Panthers 17

2. North Carolina Central (2-2, 0-0) vs. Norfolk State (2-3, 0-0), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Trei Oliver’s Eagles have won three straight against his former teammate Dawson Odums, outscoring the Spartans 124-74 over the past three games. Nonetheless, both teams are fresh off impressive outings as they head to Indianapolis for the 40th Annual Circle City Classic. Norfolk State compiled 393 yards of total offense while forcing three turnovers in their 32-10 win over VMI. However, NC Central racked up 530 yards and pressured NC A&T into four turnovers in their 66-24 shellacking of the Aggies. The Spartans must keep pace with the MEAC’s best-scoring offense (31.5 points per game) if they want to go 1-0 in league play and earn Odums his sixth conference victory in four seasons.

Eagles 31, Spartans 17

1. Hampton (3-1, 0-0) at #12 William & Mary (3-1, 0-0), Saturday, 6:00 PM (FloSports)

The Pirates are riding a three-game win streak, their third stretch since leaving the MEAC in 2018. Record-wise, this is the best matchup in the CAA as the two best-rushing offenses in the conference face off in the first league game of the season for both teams. All eyes will be on running backs Bronson Yoder (117 yards, 2 touchdowns) of the Tribe and Hampton’s Elijah Burris (343 yards, 3 touchdowns). However, it was Ja’Quan Snipes (10 carries, 117 yards, 2 touchdowns) who shined in the Pirates’ win over Howard.

Tribe 34, Pirates 24

Big South-OVC

Charleston Southern (1-2, 0-0) at Tennessee State (2-2, 0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

Tigers 24, Buccaneers 20

MEAC

Delaware State (1-3) at Campbell (1-3), Saturday, 2:00 PM (FloSports)

Camels 21, Hornets 14

Howard (2-2) at Princeton (0-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Tigers 30, Bison 21

Morgan State (2-2) at Stony Brook (3-1), Saturday, 3:30 PM (FloSports)

Bears 24, Seawolves 21

SWAC

Alabama State (1-2, 0-0) at Bethune-Cookman (0-4, 0-0), Saturday, 3:00 PM (HBCU GO)

Hornets 17, Wildcats 10

Alcorn State (1-3, 0-0) at Mississippi Valley State (0-4, 0-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (Valley Sports Network)

Braves 20, Delta Devils 12

The post Week 5 HBCU FCS Predictions appeared first on HERO Sports.

The 21 combined HBCU FCS programs have 26 wins with only a third having won two of their three games. Fifteen of those wins were over Division II & NAIA programs while the non-HBCU victories were over The Citadel, Mercyhurst, Sacred Heart, and Texas A&M-Commerce, who have five wins between them.

In Week 4, there are 12 out-of-conference games, which include two heated rivalries, and three league contests. Alabama State and South Carolina State are off this week.

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

Predictions Record:
2024 record: 46-8
Week 3: 14-2

Week 4 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games

All times are Eastern Standard

5. Clark Atlanta (2-0-1) at Bethune-Cookman (0-3), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Bethune-Cookman wants to steer clear of a 0-4 record for the second time in four seasons while avoiding a loss to a DII program since 2009. The Wildcats have been inconsistent on both sides of the ball. Look for Clark-Atlanta quarterback David Wright III (937 passing yards, 10 touchdowns) to capitalize on the fifth-worst defense in the nation.

Panthers 27, Wildcats 20

4. North Carolina A&T (1-2) at North Carolina Central (1-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Both teams look to rebound after tough road losses as A&T travels to Durham for the first Aggie-Eagle Classic in O’Kelley-Riddick since 2018. NCCU head coach Trei Oliver is searching for his third straight win over the Aggies. However, starting quarterback Walker Harris is questionable for Saturday due to concussion protocol. If the Aggies can stymie running back J’Mari Taylor (228 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns) and confuse freshman quarterback Javion Martin, A&T could head back to Greensboro with a win.

Eagles 20, Aggies 17

3. Howard (2-1) at Hampton (2-1), Saturday, 4:00 PM (Monumental Sports Network)

The Rivalry that is the Battle of the Real HU will get all the storylines leading up to this year’s Truth & Service Classic. However, Howard head coach Larry Scott has never defeated Hampton during his tenure, with the Pirates taking seven straight from the Bison dating back to 2015. If Howard wants to snap that streak and win a third straight game for the first time since 2014, the MEAC’s best offense must find ways to exploit a Pirate defense that limited Norfolk State to just 104 total yards, 9 first downs, and seven points.

Pirates 24, Bison 21

2. Southern (1-2, 0-0) at Prairie View A&M (1-2, 0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Prairie View and Southern are in search of their first conference victory while trying to avoid going 1-3 for the first time since 2016. Both teams have split their last four matchups. If the Panthers want to win back-to-back games against the Jags, Prairie View’s defense will have to slow down the nation’s seventh-best pass offense. Southern comes into this game with five wideouts that have compiled at least 110 yards receiving.

Jaguars 21, Panthers 14

1. Jackson State (2-1, 1-0) at Grambling State (2-1, 0-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Grambling won their 27th SWAC Championship the last time they started a season 2-1. If GSU wants to be on the road to their 28th while avoiding a third straight loss to JSU, the Myles Crawley-led offense must find ways to score against the nation’s 15th-ranked defense while improving their rush defense. After allowing 267 yards on the ground to Texas A&M-Commerce, GSU will welcome a Jackson State offense to Robinson Memorial that ran the ball 42 times, gaining 201 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns in their win over Southern last week.

Jackson State 31, Grambling State 24

Big South-OVC

Tennessee State (2-1, 0-0) at Tennessee Tech (0-2, 0-0), Saturday, 2:30 PM (ESPN+)

Eagles 28, Tigers 17

MEAC

Norfolk State (1-3) at VMI (0-3), Saturday, 1:30 PM (ESPN+)

Cadets 31, Spartans 10

Richmond (1-2) at Delaware State (1-2), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

Spiders 38, Hornets 6

Virginia Lynchburg (0-3) at Morgan State (1-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Bears 41, Dragons 10

SWAC

Mississippi Valley State (0-3) at Nicholls (0-3), Saturday, 4:00 PM (ESPN+)

Colonels 27, Delta Devils 7

Florida A&M (2-1) at Troy (0-3), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Trojans 24, Rattlers 14

Central Arkansas (2-1) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)

Bears 31, Golden Lions 14

Alabama A&M (2-1) at Austin Peay (0-3), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Governors 35, Bulldogs 20

Texas Southern (1-1) at Lamar (2-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Cardinals 30, Tigers 21

Alcorn State (1-2) at McNeese (2-2), Saturday, 8:00 PM (ESPN+)

Braves 17, Cowboys 14

The post Week 4 HBCU FCS Predictions appeared first on HERO Sports.

Florida A&M had their 13-game win streak snapped by Miami, a couple of MEAC teams struggled against CAA opponents, and it was announced last week that Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. 

The good — Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Howard, Jackson State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, and Southern won their first game of the year, Chennis Berry, Mickey Joseph, and Trenton Boykin earned their first victories at their new programs, and Connell Maynor earned his 100th career victory as a head coach.

This week, we have a bevy of out-of-conference contests, four HBCU Classics, and two interleague games in the CAA and SWAC, while Florida A&M and Texas Southern are off this week.

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

Predictions Record:
2024 record: 32-6
Week 1: 18-2

Week 3 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games

All times are Eastern Standard

5. Morehouse (0-2) vs. Howard (1-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM (CNBC)

On paper, the HBCU NYC Football Classic should be a cakewalk for Howard. Morehouse hasn’t beaten anyone not named Clark-Atlanta since October 2021 while the Bison have won four straight against the Maroon Tiger, outscoring them 161-65. Take your pick on which side of the ball will dominate more for Howard.

Bison 49, Maroon Tigers 10

4. Edward Waters (1-1) at Alcorn State (0-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Alcorn’s start to 2024 has been a rough one, losing big to FBS opponents UAB and Vanderbilt. The Braves haven’t started a season 0-3 since 2009, and I don’t anticipate it happening this year. DII Edward Waters is coming to Lorman for Alcorn’s first home game of the season, bringing a run defense that allowed 310 yards and four touchdowns last week.

Braves 42, Tigers 7

3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1) vs. Tennessee State (1-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (HBCU Go Sports)

These two teams are entering the 35th Annual Southern Heritage Classic coming off polarized matchups. UAPB easily defeated Arkansas Baptist College 73-0 while Tennessee State struggled against #2 North Dakota State 52-3. Quarterbacks Mekhi Hagens (473 passing yards, 2 touchdowns) and Draylen Ellis (484 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, interception) had 300-plus passing yard games this season. This has the potential to be a quarterback duel.

Tigers 35, Golden Lions 20

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

Both teams are coming off wins over DII in-state rivals. Norfolk head coach Dawson Odums expects this edition of the Battle of the Bay to be ‘trench warfare.’ Running backs Elijah Burris (94.0) and Kevon King (103.0) are averaging over 90 rushing yards per contest. However, last week’s MEAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week quarterback Jalen Daniels (231 total yards, 3 total touchdowns) will have to find some success against the nation’s seventh-best pass defense if the Spartans want to extend their home win streak over Hampton to three.

Spartans 20, Pirates 17

1. Southern (1-1, 0-0) at Jackson State (1-1, 0-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Both pass defenses are ranked in the top three nationally in yards allowed, but that stat is somewhat deceiving. Last week, Jackson State and Southern held their DII opponents to 46 yards in the air. There’s a chance that these units could be tested at the Boom Box Classic, with quarterbacks from both programs having highly productive outings in Week 2. JSU’s Jacobian Morgan completed 9 passes in 11 attempts for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns in a limited role. However, SU’s Czavian Teasett (316 passing yards, 3 touchdowns) had to replace starter Noah Bodden after his slow start. Will quarterback play be key for the Jags as they look to stop their four-game losing streak against JSU?

Tigers 27, Jaguars 17

CAA

Delaware (1-0, 0-0) at North Carolina A&T (1-1, 0-0), Saturday, 1:00 PM (FloSports)

Blue Hens 38, Aggies 10 

MEAC

Wagner (1-1) at Delaware State (1-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Seahawks 24, Hornets 21

Morgan State (1-1) at Ohio (1-1), Saturday, 3:30 PM (FloFootball)

Bobcats 21, Bears 17 

North Carolina Central (1-1) at North Carolina (2-0), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+/ACC Extra)

Tarheels 49, Eagles 7

South Carolina State (1-1) at Georgia Southern (1-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)

Eagles 31, Bulldogs 17

SWAC

Prairie View A&M (1-1) at Michigan State (2-0), Saturday, 3:30 PM (Big Ten Network)

Spartans 56, Panthers 7

Bethune-Cookman (0-2) at Western Michigan (0-2), Saturday, 6:30 PM (ESPN+)

Broncos 35, Wildcats 3

Georgetown (KY) (1-1) at Alabama A&M (1-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (SWAC Digital Network)

Bulldogs 42, Tigers 10

Alabama State (1-1) at Samford (0-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Bulldogs 24, Hornets 17

Grambling State (1-1) at Texas A&M-Commerce (0-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Lions 27, Tigers 17

Mississippi Valley State (0-2) at Murray State (0-2), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)

Racers 38, Delta Devils 7

The post Week 3 HBCU FCS Predictions appeared first on HERO Sports.

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

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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

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Florida A&M and Norfolk State face off in Atlanta for the first time since both teams were members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. At the same time, Delaware State will play outside the continental United States for the first time in program history. 

Of the three programs, the Spartans are the most experienced with 16 starters returning from last season. However, the Hornets will have the only returning signal-caller from the previous campaign.

Here are my previews for the upcoming contests on Saturday night.

Florida A&M vs. Norfolk State

How to Watch
Date: Saturday, August 24
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV: ABC

Fun Facts: Since 2015, none of the Challenge participants have ended that season playing in the Celebration Bowl, both are played in Atlanta. The MEAC is currently 11-6 all-time in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, but the SWAC has won four of the last six contests. 

Here are a few things to look for in Saturday night’s contest:

When Florida A&M Has the Ball

Players to watch:
Rattlers: QB Daniel Richardson, RB Kelvin Dean, WR Jamari Gassett
Spartans: DL Keshawn Lynch, DB Terron Mallory, LB AJ Richardson

All of FAMU’s offensive leaders from a year ago are now gone. In their places, the 2023 Celebration Bowl Offensive Player of the Game (Dean), his fellow All-SWAC second-team selection (Gassett), and new starting quarterback Daniel Richardson will take over for a unit that averaged just under 31 points per game last season.

A transfer from FAU, Richardson passed for 2,001 yards and 13 touchdowns while throwing for 10 interceptions in 2023.

The Jimmys & Joes may be different for FAMU’s starting offense, eight to be exact, but the play-caller will remain the same. Joseph Henry returns for his third season as offensive coordinator at the Highest of Seven Hills.

For the Spartans, Lynch, Mallory, and Richardson will join a defense that returns eight starters from last season. Hopefully, the experience of playing alongside one another will help a unit that gave up close to 28 points per game against FCS opponents in 2023. If not, Dean and the Rattlers’ ground attack will have a field day against the 112th-ranked rushing defense from a season ago.

When Norfolk State Has the Ball

Players to watch:
Spartans: QB Jalen Daniels, RB Kevon King, WR Tavian Morris
Rattlers: DB Kendall Bohler, DL Allen Smith, DB Deco Wilson

Unlike FAMU, Norfolk State will enter this weekend’s matchup with seven returning offensive players, including running back Kevon King (429 running yards, 7 total touchdowns). However, head coach Dawson Odums will start his fourth season at NSU with his fourth offensive coordinator and a new starting quarterback.

Last season, the Spartans finished the year 19th in average time of possession (31:46), but new offensive coordinator Jason Phillips is focused on calling more explosive plays. While Phillips was a member of the offensive staff at Alcorn State between 2018-2022, the Braves averaged 28 points per contest. However, Alcorn would have its worst offensive output while Phillips was the OC, scoring 20.7 per contest albeit with diminished talent at quarterback.

This past Sunday, we learned that senior quarterback Otto Kuhns has been suspended for the first four games of the year due to an NCAA ruling. Enter sophomore Jalen Daniels. The one-time South Carolina recruit transferred from Garden City CC, where he passed for 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns in eight contests.

The Rattlers’ Dark Cloud Defense, led by All-SWAC selections Bohler, Smith, and Wilson, will look to slow down the Spartans.

Prediction
How quickly can this new Florida A&M roster come together under Colzie? Have the more experienced Spartans improved since winning 11 games over three seasons under Odums? Which new signal-caller will gain a better understanding of their respective system quicker? I’m not sure, but Odums is winless in season openers at Norfolk. Look for the SWAC to win their fifth game over the last seven contests in this series.

My Pick: Rattlers 28, Spartans 24

Delaware State at Hawaii

Saturday, Midnight (Spectrum Sports PPV)

Lee Hull’s club will become the first HBCU to travel to Honolulu since Grambling State did it three times between 1972 and 1976. The Hornets, winners of three of their last four season openers, will face two daunting tasks when they take that 10-hour flight to the Aloha State — playing an FBS opponent on the road with a kickoff time set for Midnight EST.

Returning defensive linemen Darren Cook and Eric Montes will look to slow down Hawaii’s Run & Shoot offense, led by QB Brayden Schager and WR Steven McBride. Offensively, Delaware State will need improved play from RB Marquis Gillis and TE EJ Core if they aspire to score more than their 2023 average of 18 points per contest.

Rainbow Warriors 31, Hornets 14

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But before Delaware State travels to Hawaii and former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foes face off at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Aug. 24, here are my headlines for the 2024 HBCU FCS season.

A&T’s Struggles

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. 

In 2019, North Carolina A&T ended one of the greatest runs in Black College Football history with a combined record of 50-10 and winning four Celebration Bowls over five years. Fast-forward to 2023, and the Aggies would end their inaugural campaign in the Coastal Athletic Association with a substandard 1-10 record, struggling mightily in league play where they went winless under the new head coach Vincent Brown.

It was 13 years ago when the Aggies were last held to one victory, capping off a seven-year stretch where the Aggies had a combined record of 14-63.

Coach Brown will have his hands full trying to turn around one of the worst offenses in the nation last season, as the Aggies will face four preseason Top 25 opponents in Richmond, Elon, William & Mary, and Villanova, plus 2023 postseason participants Delaware and North Carolina Central.

Coaching Carousel

One-third of the 21 FCS HBCU programs will start this year with new head coaches.

James Colzie III (FAMU) and Cris Dishman (Texas Southern) have never held the title of head coach before while Trent Boykin (Hampton) still has the interim tag. Chennis Berry (SCSU) will look to bring his winning ways from Division II Benedict as he replaces the legendary Buddy Pough in Orangeburg. Terrence Graves (Southern) will have the distinct honor of coaching both Grambling AND Southern in his career. Former associate/interim Nebraska head coach Mickey Joseph will replace Hue Jackson at Grambling. Former Alcorn defensive coordinator Cedric Thomas will take over the reins in Lorman.

And not to be left out, former SWAC head coaches Eric Dooley and Fred McNair are now assistants for their divisional rivals, Grambling and Southern respectively.

Which new head coach will have the most impact or face the most pressure in their inaugural season at their respective helms?

Will Tennessee State Win Title?

Head Coach Eddie George is taking Tennessee State in the right direction. The Tigers finished 2023 with their most wins (6) in six seasons. However, TSU would fall short of winning a conference title for the second consecutive season, dropping their last three league games. 

To take that next step, the defense will need a complete overhaul. Nine starters left a unit that ranked third or better in the Big South-OVC over the past two seasons, including the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award winner Terrell Allen. Last year’s Defensive Freshman of the Year Eriq George will be joined by transfers Keandre Booker (DL, SEMO), Tyler Jones (DB, Missouri), and Kierron Smith (DL, Georgia Southern). Former two-time All-SWAC selection Jalen Bell (MVSU) will return to the lineup after missing 2023 with an injury.

Offensively, new offensive coordinator Travis Partridge will have seven returning starters from a year ago, including running back Jordan Gant. The Freshman All-American became the first back to finish a season with double-digit rushing touchdowns in a season (10) in eleven years. Quarterback Draylen Ellis will be returning for his third season under center. However, he needs to improve his 155 passing yards per game while looking for ways to hold on to the ball for longer than 26:47 per contest.

TSU will be tested early in conference play this season, facing the teams that ended their 2023 on a three-game losing streak, Tennessee Tech, Charleston Southern, and Eastern Illinois.

Back-to-Back Rattlers?

The pressure to repeat as black college football national champions has been on Florida A&M since Dec. 16, 2023, at 3:56 p.m. However, the Rattlers’ quest to become the second team to repeat as Celebration Bowl champs won’t be easy.

Out goes last year’s SWAC Coach, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Insert former Simmons assistant James Colzie III as the new head coach and 36 D1 Transfers (30 FBS, 6 FCS).

Preseason all-conference selections running back Kelvin Dean and wide receiver Jamari Gassett return from last year’s offense that averaged just under 31 points per game. Quarterback Junior Muratovic (138 passing yards in six games) is the longest-tenured signal-caller on the roster, but he’ll contend with FAU transfer Daniel Richardson as the team’s new starter.

Defensive backs Kendall Bohler and Deco Wilson, along with linemen James Ash and Allen Smith, are returning to the Dark Cloud Defense. Nonetheless, the Rattlers will need a few of their new faces to emerge if this group wants to return to their 2023 form where they finished the season as the second-best defense in the nation.

Bragg Memorial has been kind to FAMU, winning 15 straight at home. However, the Rattlers will play their toughest games of the season on the road, at Alabama State, Jackson State, and Prairie View.

New Rivalry In The MEAC?

If you were to ask NC Central head coach Trei Oliver, he would tell you it’s not a thing.

“I don’t think it’s a rivalry. Most times, rivalries are in-state or within close proximity [of one another],” said Oliver.

But recent actions would say the contrary, as it pertains to the last two MEAC champions. 

It started at the 2023 MEAC Football Media Day when Oliver referred to Howard’s 2022 conference co-championship celebratory jewelry as “class rings.” Both teams would end the season tied atop the league standings, but the Eagles would go on to Atlanta as the MEAC representative after defeating the Bison 50-21 in 2022.

Fast-forward to Nov. 11, 2023, and the Bison would return the favor, defeating Central 50-20 en route to Howard’s first sole MEAC championship in three decades.

Bison head coach Larry Scott would later coach former NCCU quarterback Davius Richard in the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. The dual-threat signal-caller would sustain a dislocated ankle on a touchdown run in the first quarter of the contest, leading Oliver to use coarse language in a social media post that has since been taken down. 

“I promise he would not have played if I knew that those [expletive] coaches were going to run him! He should never have left the pocket, you want to run hand it off to those All-American backs. Make it make sense,” 

The coach would later apologize not for his opinion, but for his language.

It’s safe to say that their Nov. 15 contest in Durham, which will air on ESPNU, will have postseason implications for the MEAC.

Celebration Bowl Date Change

Earlier this summer, ESPN announced that it would be moving the date of the Cricket Celebration Bowl up one week this year to Dec. 14 to avoid viewership competition with the first round of the College Football Playoff and two scheduled NFL matchups.

However, the move now places the de facto HBCU championship game between the MEAC and SWAC league champions one week after the SWAC plays its conference title game. Meanwhile, the MEAC does not play a championship game, giving its champion a three-week reprieve between its final regular-season game and its appearance in Atlanta.

This date change has drawn ire from some SWAC faithful, including its commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. The following statement was released by the SWAC on the change:

“From a Southwestern Athletic Conference perspective, participating in the Celebration Bowl the week following our championship game will pose additional challenges for our championship team to be at their optimal capacity to perform at the highest level for such a prestigious event. However, we will look to see what, if any, adjustments the Conference Office can make to help our representative have the best opportunity to be successful on the new date and time.”

These sentiments come almost a year after McClelland shared his theory as to why the MEAC has been so dominant in the postseason showcase.

“Our not being able to win the Celebration Bowl is a product of our regular season,” McClelland said of the 12-team league where eight games are played per team (five in divisional play, three non-division games) at last year’s SWAC Media Day. “There are no weeks off, you can’t look ahead, you can’t study who that MEAC winner was because you have to concentrate on the next week, the conference championship game, then you concentrate on the Celebration Bowl.”

“It’s very important, but I think the audience needs to understand the gauntlet that it takes to get to the Celebration Bowl,” he continued. “It’s week in and week out. Our [conference] championship game is really, really, really significant to our schools, and some of the things we’ve seen, a championship in the SWAC is a more important feat than a win for the Celebration Bowl.”

Nevertheless, the current and former head coaches at Florida A&M feel differently about the perceived disadvantages of the conference.

“We could have played the game [a day earlier] if that meant we could play [in the Celebration Bowl] …which team that prepares the best will be the one that wins,” said Willie Simmons after the Rattlers’ 30-26 victory over Howard this past December.

This past July, Coach Colzie would say that the time between the two championship games does not matter if his team is healthy.

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According to Bison head coach Larry Scott, if the Bison are to atone for last December’s loss in Atlanta, they will need to “come together” to win the program’s fifth conference championship in program history.

But in this ever-evolving league, with new star players and a new head coach in Orangeburg, there is a chance that we could see a different MEAC team earn the title for the fifth consecutive year.

Here’s a look ahead at the top returning players and our predicted order of finish.

Returning All-Conference Players

From last season’s All-MEAC Team

Howard – 7: OL Darius Fox (2nd Team), DB Kenny Gallop, Jr. (1st Team), WR Kasey Hawthorne (1st Team) DB Carson Hinton (2nd Team), LB Terrance Hollon (1st Team), RB Jarett Hunter (2nd Team), RB Eden James (2nd Team), DL Jamel Stewart (2nd Team)

South Carolina State – 6: C Eric Brown, Jr. (2nd Team), OL Cam Johnson (2nd Team), LB Aaron Smith (2nd Team), WR Justin Smith-Brown (2nd Team), OL Nick Taiste (1st Team), TE Keshawn Toney (1st Team)

Morgan State – 4: OL Treyvon Branch (1st Team), LB Erick Hunter (1st Team), RS Keith Jenkins, Jr. (1st Team), DL Elijah Williams (1st Team)

North Carolina Central – 4: OL Trevon Humphrey (2nd Team), DB Kole Jones (2nd Team), DL Trey Middleton (2nd Team), DL Jaden Taylor (1st Team)

Delaware State – 1:  TE EJ Core (2nd Team)

Teams With the Most D1 Transfers

FBS-to-FCS Transfers & FCS-to-FCS Transfers

South Carolina State – 10 (2 FBS, 8 FCS)

Howard – 8 (4 FBS, 4 FCS)

Delaware State – 7 (5 FBS, 2 FCS)

North Carolina Central – 7 (5 FBS, 2 FCS)

Morgan State – 6 (5 FBS, 4 FCS)

Norfolk State — 4 (4 FCS)

2024 Preseason Preview Central

Names To Know

PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jarett Hunter, Howard RB — This year’s MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and selection to the Walter Payton Award watch list led Howard in rushing yards (626) while recording nearly 900 yards of total offense with 11 total TDs a year ago.

Other players to watch: WR Joaquin Davis (North Carolina Central), WR Kasey Hawthorne (Howard), RB Eden James (Howard), QB Otto Kuhns (Norfolk State)

PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard S — The conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 helped lead the Bison secondary to the second-best pass defense in the nation, allowing only 142.8 yards per game in the air during Howard’s first MEAC championship campaign in 30 years. 

Other players to watch: LB Erick Hunter (Morgan State), AJ Richardson (Norfolk State), DL Elijah Williams (Morgan State)

THE NFL PROSPECT: Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard S — Last season, the 6-foot and 214-pound safety won the Aeneas Williams Award — the award is given to the top defensive back in HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Division I college football – and was a Buck Buchanan Award finalist after compiling 65 tackles, four tackles for losses, two interceptions, and a forced and recovered fumble.

Other Players to Watch: WR Kasey Hawthorne (Howard), LB Erick Hunter (Morgan State), OG Nick Taiste (South Carolina State), DL Elijah Williams (Morgan State)

HERO Sports’ Predicted Order of Finish

1. Morgan State
2. North Carolina Central
3. Howard
4. South Carolina State
5. Norfolk State
6. Delaware State

Since 2013, we’ve only seen two seasons where there hasn’t been a tie atop the MEAC standings, and I don’t expect anything less in this year’s version of the five-game race to the conference crown.

Delaware State finished last season winless in league play. However, head coach Lee Hull did win a MEAC title a decade ago in Baltimore. Dawson Odums ushers in the most experienced team in the conference as the Spartans aspire to earn their first winning season under his tutelage. First-year head coach Chennis Berry looks to bring his championship pedigree from Division II Benedict to Orangeburg. Nevertheless, all eyes will be on the teams that finished in the top half of the standings in 2023.

Last season’s league champs are returning seven all-conference players, including the preseason players of the year selections Gallop and Hunter, who helped lead Howard to their best win percentage in seven seasons. However, the Bison have a question mark at quarterback now that former starter Quinton Williams has left D.C. via graduation. Hopefully, running backs Hunter and Eden James can take some pressure off the new quarterback. 

If Coach Scott wants to take his team back to Atlanta this December, a feat no MEAC team has achieved since 2019, he will need consistent play from this yet-to-be-determined signal-caller and earn a victory in Durham. Howard hasn’t beaten Central in North Carolina in thirty years (0-4 during that span). 

North Carolina Central quarterback Walker Harris threw for 263 yards and five touchdowns in his lone start against Mississippi Valley State last season. Now tabbed as the new signal-caller for the Eagles, head coach Trei Oliver believes that Harris “could’ve started on a lot of other teams in our conference over the past two years.” Oliver continued, “We won’t miss a beat at the quarterback position. We’ll just look a little different,” referring to Harris who is more of a pocket passer than his predecessor, Davius Richard.

Facing Howard and Morgan in O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium should be beneficial to a team that is 5-0 at home against MEAC opponents over the last two seasons. Nonetheless, the Eagles need to make improvements on defense, primarily stopping the run. Last season, Central allowed at least 48 points in three games against FCS opponents while ranking 95th nationally against the run, allowing 179 yards on the ground per contest. 

Expectations continue to rise for the Damon Wilson-led Morgan State Bears. Last year, their staunch defense finished the season ranked 23rd or better nationally in points allowed (23rd, 21.4), passing yards allowed (17th, 180.4 YPG), and total defense (16th, 308.5 YPG). This unit, led by linebacker Erick Hunter and defensive lineman Elijah Williams, will return eight starters from 2023.

The Bears expect to be solid again on that side of the ball, however, they will need to clean up what Coach Wilson referred to as “small mistakes.” A year ago, Morgan State lost five games by an average of 5.2 points. If they can get improved play from sophomore quarterback Tahj Smith, running back J.J. Davis, and the Bears offense that was ranked near the bottom nationally in multiple statistical categories, they could win their first conference championship since 2014.

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