I was oh so close to quoting Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” (or JAY Z’s version, whichever you prefer) until I realized that I did that last year. But alas, we have reached the final week of the 2022 HBCU FCS regular season, except for the Turkey Day Classic and Bayou Classic that will be played next week.
We now know that North Carolina Central will represent the MEAC in the Cricket Celebration Bowl in December but their opponent from the SWAC remains a question. Will it be East Division Champion Jackson State or one of the four teams still vying for the West Division crown?
Not to be outdone, North Carolina A&T is playing for a conference championship, Howard is looking to win a share of the MEAC title, and Florida A&M is looking to keep their postseason aspirations alive with a win over their in-state rival.
I won’t review my predictions from last week. Just know that my Week 11 picks were spectacular and I’m looking to repeat that feat again.
Here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Predictions Record:
2022 record: 111-31
Week 11: 11-1
Week 12 Top 5 Games
North Carolina A&T (7-3, 4-0 Big South) at Gardner-Webb (5-5, 4-0 Big South), Saturday, Noon (ESPN+)
The biggest game of the week pits the top two teams in the Big South, with the winner capturing the conference title and a postseason appearance. A&T is looking to end its final season in the Big South with a conference title. Standing in their way, GWU QB Bailey Fisher (414 total yards, four total touchdowns vs. Campbell) and the nation’s 24th-best total offense that averages 429 yards per game.
A&T, however, leads the conference in scoring defense (25.3 average points allowed) total defense (285.6 average yards allowed), and team interceptions (14). The Aggies are 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs, but Gardner Webb bullied A&T last season in their 35-27 win in Greensboro.
Aggies 38, Bulldogs 35
Prairie View A&M (6-4, 5-2 SWAC) at Mississippi Valley State (1-9, 1-6 SWAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (Valley Sports Network)
One win and the Panthers will get another shot at Jackson State in the SWAC Championship Game, this time with head coach Bubba McDowell. The nation’s seventh-best rushing attack (236.9 yards per game) had little use for QB Trazon Connley, gaining 281 yards on 52 carries. But Connley passed for five touchdowns in his eight completions.
So, will PVAMU continue to rely on their run game or will they look to take advantage of one of the worst pass defenses in the nation (312.2 yards allowed per game)?
Panthers 42, Delta Devils 14
Texas Southern (5-5, 4-3 SWAC) vs. Alabama A&M (3-7, 3-4 SWAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (HBCUGO)
One week after losing to JSU, Texas Southern rebounded in a big way by beating Grambling 41-7. One win away from six for the season — a feat they haven’t accomplished since their infamous 2010 campaign – the Tigers could win the West Division with some help from the Delta Devils, but they’ll have to snap their current four-game losing streak against AAMU first.
Look for TSU head coach Clarence McKinney to lean on QB Andrew Body and take advantage of the conference’s second-worst pass defense.
Tigers 30, Bulldogs 24
Howard (4-6, 3-1 MEAC) at Morgan State (4-6, 2-2 MEAC), Saturday, Noon (ESPN3)
It’s been nearly 30 years since Howard has won at least a share of the MEAC Championship. They have a chance of repeating that accomplishment this weekend in Baltimore with a win over Morgan State. Winners of their fifth straight over the Bears won’t be an easy task. The Bison will need to slow down the conference’s leading rusher RB Alfonzo Graham (1039 rush yards, 6 touchdowns) while establishing the run with their backfield by committee — RBs Jarett Hunter, Eden James, and Ian Wheeler. Last week, the trio rushed for 261 yards on 28 carries.
Bison 27, Bears 24
No. 5 Jackson State (10-0, 7-0 SWAC) at Alcorn State (5-5, 4-3 SWAC), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)
The Tigers’ current 10-game win streak marks the first time that JSU has won double-digit win games in consecutive seasons. Even though they have scored 43 fewer points in their last 5 games (173) versus their first 5 (216), the Tigers are still Top 10 nationally in offensive scoring, averaging 38.9 points per game.
This week, JSU’s rush defense will look to slow down Alcorn RB Jarveon Howard (1,174 rush yards, 11 touchdowns) as they prepare to host the SWAC title game next month. There’s a chance that opponent could be the Braves if Alcorn can win here and the three teams ahead of them in the standings – Prairie View, Southern, and Texas Southern – lose their upcoming matchups.
Tigers 35, Braves 17
CAA
Hampton (4-6, 1-6 CAA) at Towson (5-5, 3-4 CAA), Saturday, 1:00 PM (FloSports)
Pirates 24, Tigers 21
MEAC
Norfolk State (1-9, 1-3 MEAC) at South Carolina State (3-7, 1-3 MEAC), Saturday, 1:30 PM (ESPN+)
Bulldogs 24, Spartans 21
Campbell (4-6) at Delaware State (5-5), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
Camels 35, Hornets 24
No. 25 North Carolina Central (8-2) at Tennessee Tech (4-6), Saturday, 2:30 PM (ESPN3)
Eagles 35, Golden Eagles 20
OVC
Tennessee State (3-7) at Texas A&M-Commerce (5-5), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)
Tigers 17, Lions 14
SWAC
Florida Classic
Bethune-Cookman (2-8, 2-5 SWAC) vs. No. 24 Florida A&M (8-2, 6-1 SWAC). Saturday, 2:30 PM (ESPN3)
Rattlers 30, Wildcats 14
