Last week, home teams were 4-1 on homecoming. Grambling State earned its first conference victory of the season, while Southern’s losing streak has extended to five games, leading to the firing of head coach Terrence Graves on Monday.
This Saturday, the MEAC starts conference play, six more schools celebrate homecoming, and two installments of Classics — one old, one new – are on the docket for Week 9 of the FCS HBCU college football season, while Texas Southern is on a bye.
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Here are my previews and predictions for this week. All times are Eastern Standard.
Predictions Record:
2025 record: 85-24
Week 8: 4-3
Week 9 FCS HBCU Top 5 Games
5. South Carolina State (4-3, 0-0 MEAC) at Norfolk State (1-6, 0-0 MEAC), Saturday, 2:00 PM (ESPN+)
Last year’s conference champs will look to start league play 1-0 for the sixth straight season. Unlike last year, the Bulldogs’ point differential after seven games has fallen from +20 to -20. South Carolina State’s focus will be on extending its dominance in this series, having won four of its last five meetings. Unfortunately, Norfolk State has looked disappointing at this point in the season, dropping five consecutive games. Nonetheless, the Spartans will look to end their losing ways at homecoming.
Bulldogs 30, Spartans 17
4. Morgan State (3-4, 0-0 MEAC) at Howard (3-4, 0-0 MEAC), Saturday, 3:30 PM (ESPN+)
In what will be their FIRST of two home games this year (yes, you read that correctly), Howard will face rival Morgan State at homecoming. The Bears snapped their six-game losing streak in this series with a 35-21 win last season. Speaking of underachieving, the Bison will try to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. The inconsistencies of both teams must be maddening. Howard has been held scoreless in the second half of their last three games, and Morgan State has yet to defeat a Division I opponent.
Bison 17, Bears 14
3. Alabama State (4-2, 2-1 SWAC) vs. Alabama A&M (4-3, 1-2 SWAC), Saturday, 3:30 PM (ESPN+)
Alabama State’s SWAC East Division hopes might have been dashed with their tough road loss to Jackson State two weeks ago. However, the Hornets can remain in the hunt with a bit of help. Head coach Eddie Robinson will be looking for a fourth straight Magic City Classic win, outscoring the Alabama A&M 82-52 in their previous three meetings. The Bulldogs’ defense, which has allowed 123 points to their last three opponents, must find ways to slow down quarterback Andrew Body (1,810 total yards, 16 touchdowns, one interception) if they want to snap their streak in this rivalry.
Hornets 42, Bulldogs 31
2. #12 Jackson State (5-1, 3-0 SWAC) vs. Grambling State (4-3, 1-2 SWAC), 6:00 PM (HBCU Go)
Jackson State will head into the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic outscoring its last four opponents 163-71. JSU quarterback JaCobian Morgan continues to impress, compiling 253 yards of offense and passing for four touchdowns in his previous outing. However, Grambling State has won six of its previous eight meetings in this series, including its 41-20 victory last year, making it the previous FCS team to defeat Jackson State.
Jackson State 42, Grambling State 24
1. Delaware State (4-3, 0-0 MEAC) at North Carolina Central (5-2, 0-0 MEAC), Saturday, 1:00 PM (ESPN+)
The Eagles have dominated this series since the turn of the century, winning 12 of their last 14 matchups. However, this Delaware State team is no longer the pushover you usually schedule for homecoming. Led by running back Marquis Gillis (723 rushing yards, six total touchdowns), the Hornets continue to lead the nation in rushing yards while being the best scoring offense in the MEAC (38.3 PPG). North Carolina Central has a high-powered offense of its own, averaging 36.1 points per contest behind quarterback Walker Harris (1,792 passing yards, 15 total touchdowns, five interceptions) and running back Chris Mosley (956 total yards, eight touchdowns). The Eagles are looking for a sixth consecutive victory over Delaware State, outscoring the Hornets in their last two wins in the series 107-24.
Eagles 38, Hornets 35
More HBCU Predictions
SWAC
Mississippi Valley State (1-5, 0-2 SWAC) at Alcorn State (1-6, 0-3 SWAC), Saturday, 3:00 PM (SWAC TV)
Braves 12, Delta Devils 10
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-4, 1-2 SWAC) at Bethune-Cookman (3-4, 2-1 SWAC), 3:00 PM (SWAC TV)
Wildcats 28, Golden Lions 17
Florida A&M (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) at Southern (1-6, 0-3 SWAC), Saturday, 5:00 PM (ESPN+)
Rattlers 28, Jaguars 10
Lincoln (CA) (0-8) at Prairie View A&M (5-2), Saturday, 3:00 PM (SWAC TV)
Panthers 56, Oaklanders 0
CAA
Campbell (2-6, 2-2 CAA) at North Carolina A&T (1-6, 1-2 CAA), Saturday, 1:00 PM (FloSports)
Camels 26, Aggies 21
#10 Monmouth (6-1, 3-0 CAA) at Hampton (2-6, 0-4 CAA), Saturday, 2:00 PM (FloSports/ Monumental Sports Network)
Hawks 29, Pirates 24
OVC-Big South
Western Illinois (1-7, 0-4 OVC-Big South) at Tennessee State (2-5, 0-3 OVC-Big South), Saturday, 2:30 PM (ESPN+)
Tigers 24, Leathernecks 20
