Week 1 of the HBCU FCS football season was full of intrigue, providing us with enthralling storylines.
Grambling, Southern, and South Carolina State ended up on the right side of the ledger. Last year’s Black College National Champions earned their 11th straight victory. Somehow, Northwestern State was able to snap its 20-game losing streak with a victory over Alcorn, and former Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons extended his win streak over Bethune-Cookman to four. However, he’s currently coaching at Florida International.
QB Tyriq Starks led Howard to a win in his first collegiate start, giving the Bison their first season-opening victory since 2017, while head Coaches Reggie Barlow (Tennessee State) and Tremaine Jackson (Prairie View A&M) won dramatically. But the best performance of the week came in a loss.
After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, Alabama State QB Andrew Body garnered national recognition after his 431 total yards, five touchdown performance in the Hornets’ 52-42 loss to UAB. ASU came close to snapping the SWAC’s 40-year-long streak of losing to FBS opponents, pulling within 3 points of the Blazers’ lead with 4:03 left in regulation.
This week’s slate of 19 games features matchups against nationally ranked programs — which include the two best Division I football teams in the country — and two all-SWAC non-conference contests.
Here are my top five matchups and predictions for this week.
Predictions Record:
2025 record: 12-4
Week 1: 12-4
Week 2 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games
All times are Eastern
5. #1 North Dakota State (1-0) at Tennessee State (1-0), Saturday, 2:30 PM (ESPN+)
Unbeaten all-time against HBCUs (12-0), NDSU plans to extend its streak against a team it defeated 52-3 last year. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will have his hands full scheming up a game plan that will slow down the Bison rushing attack, led by quarterback Cole Payton, who gained 101 of his 293 total yards of offense on the ground last week.
Bison 42, Tigers 7
4. Towson (1-0) at Morgan State (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+) Battle for Greater Baltimore
The Bears have lost seven in a row to Towson, including their 14-9 defeat to the Tigers last season. If the Bears can keep their quarterback upright (MSU allowed nine sacks in their previous three meetings against TU), avoid turnovers, and running back Jason Collins Jr. can duplicate last week’s performance (94 total yards, two touchdowns), Morgan State might be able to win their first Battle for Greater Baltimore in 16 years.
Tigers 21, Bears 20
3. Virginia State (1-0) at Norfolk State (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+) Battle of the States
Coach Vick will be entering his first foray into the Battle of the States, but don’t allow Virginia State’s Division II status to fool you. Since 2017, the Spartans have held a slight 3-2 advantage over the Trojans in their last five matchups. Norfolk State struggled to put away VSU in 2024, and if they can’t corral the Trojan offense that tallied 569 yards last week, NSU will start the season 0-2 for the fourth time in five seasons.
Spartans 24, Trojans 21
2. Alcorn State (0-1) at Alabama A&M (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (HBCU Go) Louis Crews Classic
The first of two SWAC non-conference matchups. The Braves have won six consecutive games against Alabama A&M, but this will be their first meeting since 2019. Both teams are looking to rebound after rough outings last week. Can the Bulldogs take advantage of Alcorn after the Braves’ tragic loss to Northwestern State?
Bulldogs 17, Braves 14
1. Alabama State (0-1) at Southern (1-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+) Pete Richardson Classic
Alabama State hasn’t played Southern since 2023, when the Hornets snapped a five-game losing streak to the Jags. Quarterback Andrew Body will be looking to prove that his Week 1 performance wasn’t a fluke against a Jaguars defense that has allowed 30 points per game so far this season. Southern running back Trey Holly and quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy have combined for 314 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season and could have a field day against Bama State, which allowed 273 on the ground in their loss to UAB.
Hornets 28, Jaguars 24
More HBCU Predictions
CAA
Elizabeth City State (0-1) at Hampton (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (FloSports)
Pirates 30, Vikings 14
North Carolina A&T (0-1) at Central Florida (1-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Knights 42, Aggies 16
MEAC
UAlbany (0-1) at Delaware State (0-1), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)
Great Danes 28, Hornets 20
Howard (1-0) at Temple (1-0), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
Owls 31, Bison 14
North Carolina Central (1-1) at Old Dominion (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
Monarchs 31, Eagles 21
South Carolina State (1-0) at #13 South Carolina (1-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+/SEC Network)
Gamecocks 38, Bulldogs 17
SWAC
Grambling State (0-1) at #1 Ohio State (1-0), Saturday, 3:30 PM (BigTen Network)
Buckeyes 56, Tigers 7
#15 Jackson State (1-0) at Southern Mississippi (0-1), Saturday, 5:00 PM (ESPN+)
Golden Eagles 34, Tigers 17
Florida A&M (0-1) at Florida Atlantic (0-1), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
Owls 38, Rattlers 14
Texas Southern (0-1) at California (1-0), Saturday, 6:00 PM (ACCNX/ESPN+)
Golden Bears 48, Tigers 6
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-1) at Central Arkansas (0-1), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Bears 42, Golden Lions 17
Bethune-Cookman (0-1) at #5 Miami (1-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ACCNX/ESPN+)
Hurricanes 55, Wildcats 7
Mississippi Valley State (0-1) at #5 Tarleton State (2-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (ESPN+)
Texans 38, Delta Devils 12
UT-Rio Grande Valley (1-0) at Prairie View A&M (1-0), Saturday, 7:00 PM (SWAC TV)
Panthers 24, Vaqueros 17
