Alcorn State, Florida A&M, Jackson State, and Tennessee State earned conference wins while North Carolina Central and South Carolina State were victorious against FCS out-of-conference opponents at the conclusion of Week 6.
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.
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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
