The final third of the 2022 HBCU FCS football season is upon us.
In the sixth week of HBCU Homecoming Season, conference contests are aplenty while several teams –Howard, Jackson State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, and Tennessee State – look to remain unbeaten in conference play. A few others are still looking to get off the schneid.
Before previewing this week’s games, let’s discuss my Week 8 predictions. Or maybe we shouldn’t as it was my worst week this season.
As I look to turn things around, here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Predictions Record:
2022 record: 83-23
Week 8: 7-4
Week 9 Top 5 Games
Southern (5-2, 3-1 SWAC) at No. 5 Jackson State (7-0, 4-0 SWAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN3)
ESPN Gameday only comes to your city if there is a big game, but Southern head Coach Eric Dooley believes that “every time you get on that field, it’s a big game.” Well, this one right here could possibly be a preview of the SWAC Championship Game in December. The top two teams offensively and defensively in points and yards per game, it’s going to be interesting to see how both teams navigate through what is expected to be a rainy game.
Tigers 21, Jaguars 17
Campbell (4-3, 2-0 Big South) at North Carolina A&T (4-3, 2-0 Big South), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN3)
Predicted to finish the season first and second in the Big South, the conference’s best two teams will face off at A&T’s Homecoming in a championship-caliber matchup. The Aggies will look to contain the league’s top-ranked rush offense, led by dual-threat QB Hajj-Malik Williams while the Camel defense will have their collective hands full attempting to slow down RB Bhayshul Tuten, who is currently ranked 10th in the nation for All-Purpose yards. Can A&T win five straight in the regular season for the first time since 2017?
Aggies 27, Camels 24
Howard (2-5, 1-0 MEAC) at Norfolk State (1-6, 1-1 MEAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
With a combined three wins between them, both teams are still vying for the MEAC championship. In what will be their sixth road game of the season, the Bison are traveling to Norfolk where they haven’t won since 2016. Last week, Howard played their most complete game this season, recording their best scoring output of the season (35 points). If the Bison want to win back-to-back games for the first time this season, a repeat performance of their ground game (266 yards, three touchdowns) would be imperative against the nation’s ninth-worst run defense.
Bison 28, Spartans 21
North Carolina Central (5-2, 1-1 MEAC) at Delaware State (4-3, 1-1 MEAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
One loss in a five-game conference slate can hurt your chances but it doesn’t eliminate you from title contention in the MEAC. Two league losses and you’ll need a lot of help. That’s the fate both teams are looking to avoid on Saturday. Both teams are looking to rebound in what could become a very physical contest. Don’t underestimate the Hornets. NCCU head coach Trei Oliver believes that DSU resembles South Carolina State. The one thing DSU head coach Rod Milstead doesn’t want his team to do on the Hornets’ Homecoming is give up 420 yards of total offense to the Eagles like the Bulldogs.
Eagles 30, Hornets 21
Alabama A&M (3-4, 3-1 SWAC) vs. Alabama State (4-3, 2-2 SWAC), Saturday, 3:30 PM (ESPN+)
Jockeying for position in the divisional standings is secondary in the biggest game of the regular season between these in-state rivals. If Eddie Robinson Jr. wants to earn his first Magic City Classic win as a head coach and snap their four-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, the Hornets – who are averaging just under 17 PPG against conference opponents – will have to figure out how to score points against the Bulldogs who are tallying just under 33 PPG in league play. Problem is, AAMU has given up just under 32 PPG against SWAC opponents. I predicted that ASU would have a better conference record than AAMU this preseason. I’m sticking to my guns.
Hornets 31, Bulldogs 27
CAA
Hampton (4-3, 1-3 CAA) at Villanova (4-3, 2-2 CAA), Saturday, 1:00 PM (FloSports)
Pirates 35, Wildcats 31
MEAC
South Carolina State (3-4, 1-0 MEAC) at Morgan State (2-4, 0-2 MEAC), Saturday, Noon (ESPN+)
Bulldogs 21, Bears 17
OVC
Tennessee State (3-4, 2-0 OVC) at Murray State (0-8, 0-3 OVC), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)
Tigers 31, Racers 21
SWAC
Alcorn State (3-3, 2-2 SWAC) at Grambling State (1-6, 0-4 SWAC), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)
Braves 24, Tigers 21
Bethune-Cookman (2-5, 2-2 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M (4-3, 3-1 SWAC), Saturday, 3:00 PM
(Prairie View A&M’s Homecoming)
Panthers 30, Wildcats 24
Lincoln University (CA) (1-6) at Texas Southern (3-4), Saturday, 3:00 PM (AT&T Sportsnet SW)
(Texas Southern’s Homecoming)
Tigers 49, Oaklanders 7
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-5, 0-4 SWAC) at Florida A&M (5-2, 3-1 SWAC), Saturday, 4:00 PM (HBCU GO)
(Florida A&M’s Homecoming)
Rattlers 31, Golden Lions 14
