Duane Nash is our resident HBCU expert and operator of The Yard-HBCU Sports. You can follow Duane — like 7,000 other big-time HBCU fans have — on Twitter @TheYardHBCU. Duane will give readers weekly insight into what teams will win the big games, which individuals are in contention for big honors … and much, much more.
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FOR STARTERS … Ok, I was wrong last week. Not just with some of my picks (Howard) but full tilt of conference play in HBCU FBS Football doesn’t start until NEXT weekend. So, until then, there are still a bunch of out-of-conference games, a long standing rivalry gets renewed, several Inter-FCS HBCU matchups and a sprinkling of in-conference games this weekend while Jackson State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and Texas Southern will be on a bye. Here are my picks for this week’s games![divider]
BIG SOUTH
Hampton (2-1) at Liberty (1-2)
The Pirates are coming off a big win over rival Howard, led by QB Deondre Francois’ four touchdown passes. Their reward, going to Lynchburg to face FCS Liberty, Coach Hugh Freeze earned his first win the Flames behind QB Stephen Calbert who tossed for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns last week. Flames 31, Pirates 14
MEAC
Southern (1-2) at Florida A&M (1-1)
One of the longest standing non-conference rivalries in Black College Football history. Both teams are coming of off big wins over Division II opponents, by a combined score of 118-20. It would be great if they could carry some momentum over into divisional play which starts next week. It’s going to be a clash of offensive styles with the pass happy Rattlers (256.5 yds/gm) and the Jags ground attack (226 yds/gm). Rattlers 28, Jaguars 24
Howard (0-3) at Delaware State (1-1)
I don’t know what to expect from the Bison. This offense, which averaged 34 points a game last year, is now scoring less than half of that (16.0) in their first four games this season under new head coach Ron Prince. Couple that with this being Howard’s fourth straight road game while the Hornets, statistically the best offense AND defense in the MEAC, has yet to leave the state of Delaware this season. Bison 31, Hornets 24
Norfolk State (1-2) at Montana State (2-1)
1035 yards of total offense. That’s a lot of yards given up by the Spartans defense over their last two games (1-1) but the Bobcat’s offense (363 yds/gm) isn’t necessarily lighting up the world. They are, however, finding ways to win. Bobcats 24, Spartans 21
Elizabeth City State (0-2) at North Carolina Central (0-3)
The Eagles are 0-3, their worst start in ten years. This SHOULD be a win for Central this weekend, facing Division II Elizabeth City State who allow an average of 439 yards of offense and 46 points per game. Sadly, I don’t know. The Eagles have only scored one touchdown in three games, averaging 8 points per. Eagles 13, Vikings 10
Morgan State (0-2) at Army (2-1)
Coach Tyrone Wheatley is having a rough start to 2019. FBS Bowling Green in Week 1, No. James Madison in Week 2 and this weekend the Bears will be facing Army, a team that should be undefeated. Morgan, which is statistically the worst defense in the MEAC will look to slow down the 18th-ranked rushing attack on the FBS level. Black Knights 35, Bears 7[divider]
SWAC
Prairie View A&M (1-2) at Alcorn State (1-2)
Last year’s game was supposed to have been a battle of the then best offenses in the SWAC. This season, the conference’s statistically best offense (PVAM, 465.7 yds/gm) will go head-to-head against the conference’s statistically best defense (Alcorn, 318.3 yds/gm). Coach Fred McNair and the Braves are looking to win their third straight over the Panthers in what could be a preview to the Conference Title Game. Braves 30, Panthers 28
Grambling State (0-2) at Alabama State (1-2)
2014. That’s the last time Grambling has started a season 0-3 and the last time Alabama State has beaten the Tigers. Last year, Coach Fobbs’ defense lead Grambling to a 34-0 win by forcing four turnovers, two of which led to scores. Tigers 23, Hornets 21
Bethune Cookman (1-1) at Mississippi Valley State (0-2)
The Delta Devils are coming off two tough losses and a bye. Bethune Cookman, well, let’s just say they took a trip to Coral Gables last week. The Wildcats can, at least, hold on to that 41-27 victory over MVSU last season which included seven total turnovers by both teams. Wildcats 7, Delta Devils 00
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-1) at Tennessee State (1-2) in Memphis, TN
The Golden Lions are on the verge of doing something that they haven’t done since 2012, win three games in a row. To do that, they are going to have to slow down QB Cameron Rosendahl, WR Chris Rowland and a Tennessee State offense that is averaging 32 points and 481 yards per game. TSU might have some fits defensively themselves, UAPB has scored 52 points in their last two games. Golden Lions 31, Tigers 28
Alabama A&M (2-1) at Samford (1-2)
This first ever matchup between these two teams should be an aerial dog fight. See what I did there? Both offenses are currently ranked in the Top 20 nationally (AAMU 14th, Samford 17th). Can RB Jordan Bentley, who tallied 124 rushing yards in AAMU’s 31-24 win over North Alabama, take advantage of a Bulldogs defense that has allowed 269 rushing yards per game? Alabama A&M 27, Samford 24
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