There are only nine games in HBCU FCS football for Week 6, but they are comprised of HBCU interconference matchups, two homecoming games, and some intriguing conference matchups, notably in the CAA, MEAC, and SWAC, while Delaware State, Howard, North Carolina A&T, and North Carolina Central are on byes.
I did well with my predictions last week, but I’m mostly impressed that I nailed the point totals for PVAMU/Grambling (48), FAMU/MVSU (41), and came pretty close with South Carolina/SC State (59).
Here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Predictions Record:
2022 record: 58-16
Week 5: 9-4
Week 6 Top 5 Games
Southern (2-2, 1-1 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M (3-2, 3-0 SWAC), Saturday, 5:00 PM (ESPN+)
Southern head coach Eric Dooley returns to Prairie View to face his old team, now led by his former assistant Bubba McDowell. Alongside Dooley will be a couple of former Panthers, including last week’s SWAC Defensive Player of the Week in DT Jason Dumas (five tackles, 1.5 sacks). And if either team needs any more motivation, an early lead atop the West Division is at stake.
Jaguars 24, Panthers 21
No. 8 Jackson State (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) at Alabama State (3-2, 1-1 SWAC), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN3)
Who was the genius that schedules Jackson State as their homecoming opponent? This year’s answer: Alabama State. ASU’s in-state brethren did it last year and was molly whopped by 46. Coach Sanders plans on handing the Hornets a similar fate, gleefully proclaiming that his Tigers are going to “open this gift” this Saturday “because (the game’s outcome is) going to be a present”. You can keep that gift! Oh, and Coach Prime hasn’t forgotten about the picture from 2020.
Tigers 63, Hornets 17
Norfolk State (0-5, 0-0 MEAC) at Morgan State (2-2, 0-0 MEAC), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)
The Spartans have achieved two “nevers” this season. They, as an FCS program, and NSU head coach Dawson Odums have never started a season 0-5. Things could continue to spiral downward for Sparta as they travel to Baltimore to be Morgan State’s homecoming opponent. If the nation’s tenth-worst scoring defense expects to stop this skid, they will have to stymie last week’s MEAC Offensive Player of the Week QB Carson Baker. He only completed 10 passes for 160 yards, but three of those completions were touchdowns.
Bears 21, Spartans 13
Florida A&M (3-2) at South Carolina State (1-3), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
Is this a potential Celebration Bowl preview? Maybe not, but at the very least we’ll get an opportunity to watch former conference foes face off once again. The Bulldog defense will have to find a way to slow down the FAMU duo of QB Jeremy Moussa and WR Xavier Smith, who have been responsible for almost three-fourths of the Rattler offensive yards during their three-game win streak.
Rattlers 27, Bulldogs 13
Bethune-Cookman (1-3) at Tennessee State (0-4), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
With one win between the two of them, is there a reason for these teams to panic after four games? Perhaps. Both programs are coming off tough losses, but the good news is someone will walk away with a win this Saturday. TSU has rushed for over 220 yards twice this season. The Wildcats allowed 255 last weekend. The Tigers will have their hands full attempting to slow down BCU QB Jalon Jones, who compiled 408 total yards and two touchdowns against AAMU. Coach George is hoping that some of his starters who sat due to injury against Lane will return this week. If those players include QB Draylen Ellis and RB Devon Starling, the Tigers will have a chance to win their homecoming.
Tigers 27, Wildcats 24
CAA
Maine (0-4, 0-1 CAA) at Hampton (3-1, 0-1 CAA), Saturday, 2:00 PM (FloSports)
Black Bears 30, Pirates 24
SWAC
Grambling State (1-4, 0-2 SWAC) at Alabama A&M (1-4, 1-1 SWAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (HBCU GO)
Bulldogs 31, Tigers 21
Texas Southern (1-4. 1-2 SWAC) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-3, 0-2 SWAC), Saturday, 3:00 PM (UAPB Sports Network)
Tigers 28, Golden Lions 24
Alcorn State (2-2, 1-0 SWAC) at Mississippi Valley State (0-5, 0-2 SWAC), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Braves 28, Delta Devils 17
