Week 12 HBCU FCS Predictions

Week 12 in FCS HBCU Football starts with not one but two primetime matchups on “The Mothership” for the MEAC and SWAC.

As the season draws closer to the end, windows of postseason hope are rapidly closing for some, while others can fulfill their championship aspirations with a win this weekend.

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

Predictions Record:
2024 record: 120-26
Week 11: 8-3

Week 12 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games

All times are Eastern Standard

5. Howard (4-6, 1-2) at North Carolina Central (6-3, 2-1), Friday, 8:00 PM (ESPNU)

This matchup won’t live up to preseason perception as the de facto MEAC Title Game, with Howard looking to play the role of spoiler and North Carolina Central needing some help to participate this postseason. Both teams have traded 50-point games in their last two matchups, with the Bison snapping a nine-game losing streak against the Eagles last season. After committing four turnovers and 11 penalties in their loss to South Carolina State last week, Howard will need to reduce sloppy play to eliminate Central from title contention.

Eagles 31 Bison 21 

4. Alcorn State (5-5. 4-2) at Prairie View A&M (5-5, 3-3), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Last year’s SWAC West Division champions are currently playing the role of spoiler while riding a three-game win streak. A Braves victory and a little help from UAPB would keep Alcorn’s championship hopes alive. Even though Prairie View A&M snapped their five-game losing streak against Alcorn last year, the Panthers will have to slow down the conference’s second-best rushing offense led by dual-threat quarterback Xzavier Vaughn. The freshman from Beaumont, TX compiled 301 total yards and 3 touchdowns (two rushing) last week.

Braves 27, Panthers 24

3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-7, 2-4) at Southern (6-4, 5-1), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

The Jags survived a quintuple-overtime thriller over Bethune-Cookman to keep their lead in the SWAC West division standings. A win this week, and Southern is headed to the league’s title game for the ninth time. Look for the SWAC’s second-best pass defense, led by defensive end Ckelby Givens (7 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss), to tee off on the most-sacked team in the conference. The Jaguars may have won 10 of their last 11 games against UAPB, but the Golden Lions’ lone victory came in Baton Rouge (Spring 2021).

Jaguars 24, Golden Lions 21

2. South Carolina State (7-2 3-0) at Morgan State (5-5,2-1), Saturday, 4:00 PM (ESPN+)

This game could decide the MEAC championship. A victory for the Bulldogs will solidify the team’s second conference title in four seasons. SCSU wide receiver Einaj Carter had his best outing of the season last week, compiling 120 yards receiving and a touchdown. However, the Bulldogs have dropped their last two games against Morgan State. If the Bears want to make it a third and take the lead in the conference standings, their defense will have to return to form. The nation’s 22^nd-ranked scoring defense has given up 45 points in the first half of their last two games after allowing 17.5 points per contest over the first eight weeks of the season.

Bulldogs 30, Bears 28

1. Jackson State (8-2, 6-0) at Alabama State (5-4, 4-2), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

The Hornets relinquished control of their title hopes, giving up 14 unanswered in a loss to Grambling State last Saturday. However, if Alabama State can win their remaining conference games, and they get a little help from Alcorn State next week, the Hornets will win the East Division title for the first time since 2010. But Jackson State just needs to win one game to host the SWAC Title Game for the third time in four years. The Tigers are currently one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning six games in a row. JSU running back Irv Mulligan (896 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns) has compiled at least 138 yards on the ground in his last four games.

Tigers 30, Hornets 21

Big South-OVC

Tennessee State (7-3. 4-2) at Gardner-Webb (4-6, 3-3), Saturday, 1:30 PM (ESPN+)

Tigers 28, Bulldogs 24

CAA

Richmond (8-2, 6-0) at Hampton (5-5, 2-4), Saturday, 1:00 PM (FloSports)

Pirates 28, Spiders 27

North Carolina A&T (1-9, 0-6) at Towson (5-5, 3-3), Saturday, 1:00 PM (FloSports)

Tigers 30, Aggies 14

MEAC

Delaware State (1-9, 0-3) at Norfolk State (3-7, 1-2), Saturday, 12:00 PM (ESPN+)

Spartans 31, Hornets 27

SWAC

Grambling State (5-5, 2-4) at Alabama A&M (4-5, 2-3), Thursday, 8:00 PM (ESPNU)

Bulldogs 31, Tigers 28

Mississippi Valley State (0-10, 0-6) at Florida A&M (5-4, 3-2), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)

Rattlers 35, Delta Devils 17

Bethune-Cookman (2-8, 2-4) at Texas Southern (3-6, 2-4), Saturday, 3:00 PM (ESPN+)

Tigers 24, Wildcats 21