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: Except for two remaining SWAC games next week, we’ve come to the end of the 2019 HBCU Football regular season. Entering this Saturday’s games, we’ll find out who will represent the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl, if Alcorn State will host the SWAC Title game, if a MEAC team will (potentially) qualify for the FCS Playoffs and if Florida A&M will have a historic finish to their season. This week, Alabama State, Prairie View A&M, Southern and Grambling State will be on bye before they finish up their season next weekend..
Here are Duane's picks for this week's games:
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BIG SOUTH
Hampton (5-6, 1-4) at No. 12 Monmouth (9-2, 5-0), Saturday, 12:00 PM, ESPN3 Well, this is the end of Year One for the Pirates in the Big South. At 1-4, they are tied for fifth in the conference, slightly better than their predicted finish of sixth. Unfortunately, Hampton will face the second-best statistical team in the Big South who is still fighting, not only, for the Big South Title but a potential bye in the First Round in the Playoffs. THE PICK: Hawks 38, Pirates 14
MEAC
North Carolina Central (4-7, 3-4) at No. 24 North Carolina A&T (7-3, 5-2), Saturday, 1:00 PM, ESPN3
The Aggies jumped out early to a big win last week…but IF I were an Aggie Fan (full disclosure, I am), this game would still concern me. It’s the Aggie-Eagle Classic, quite possibly the second-biggest collegiate sports rivalry in the state of North Carolina. Yes, I know I’m biased. So what? Even though A&T, the MEAC’s top-ranked statistical team, has won three-straight in this series, like any other rivalry, you can throw the records out the window. These Eagles, who currently have a sub-.500 record, are the MEAC’s best pass defense, second-rated total defense and third-rated scoring defense against conference opponents. Let’s not forget that Central is 20 th in the nation in turnovers gained. THE PICK: Aggies 24, Eagles 14
South Carolina State (7-3, 5-2) at Norfolk State (5-6, 4-3), Saturday, 1:00 PM, ESPN3
The Bulldogs need this win to stay in contention for a Celebration Bowl appearance. The Spartans, who are on a three-game win streak, can earn a share of the MEAC crown with a win and an A&T loss. This should be an interesting offensive battle. SC State QB Corey Fields has thrown nine touchdowns in his last three starts while RB Labron Morris (24 car, 135 yds, 2 TDs) had his third 100-yard game of the season last weekend. Norfolk QB Juwan Carter and RB Kevin Johnson have combined for 12 total touchdowns over the last three weeks. THE PICK: Bulldogs 28, Spartans 24
No. 13 Florida A&M (9-1, 7-0) vs Bethune Cookman (6-4, 4-3), in Orlando, Fl, Saturday, 3:30 PM, ESPNU
FAMU’s self-imposed postseason ban prohibits them from winning the conference title, earning a birth in the Celebration Bowl or participating the Playoffs, but it doesn’t mean that the Rattlers don’t have anything to play for. A win this weekend would give FAMU their best record since 1978 and, quite possibly, would mean that the Rattlers would finish the season ranked No.1 in the HBCU polls and potentially would be named the black college football national champions. Most of all, a win would end the eight-game losing streak against heated in-state rival Bethune-Cookman. You think that the Wildcats don’t know this? Oh yeah, Cookman could earn a share of the MEAC crown with a win and an A&T loss. There’s a lot on the line at this year’s Florida Classic…but I guarantee that bragging rights until next year means just as much, if not more, than the accolades. THE PICK: Wildcats 27, Rattlers 24
Morgan State (3-8, 2-5) at Howard (1-10, 1-6), Saturday, 1:00 PM, ESPN3
Last week, I told you that Morgan State could win three-in-a-row for the first time since 2015. The only thing standing in their way is Howard. A Bison team that gives up the most points to opponents than any other team in the nation and, is currently, on a seven-game losing streak. But Howard has won their last two matchups against Morgan, so… THE PICK: Bears 28, Bison 7
St. Francis, PA (5-6) at Delaware State (2-9), Saturday, 2:00 PM, ESPN3
The Hornets are looking to finish 2019 with their highest win total since 2013. To accomplish that, they would need to defeat the Northeast Conference’s St. Francis. I don’t know much about the Red Flash but their QB Jason Brown leads the NEC in passing yards and has a TD/INT ratio of 23 to 4. And even though they have a sub-.500 record, St. Francis is third ranked defense in the NEC. THE PICK: Red Flash 28, Hornets 10
OVC
Tennessee State (2-9, 1-6) at Tennessee Tech (6-5, 3-4), Saturday, 2:30 PM, ESPN+: After dropping three straight games, the Tigers will need a win to finish the season 3-9. Win or lose, the Tigers will end the year with their worst record under Coach Reed since his first year at TSU. But on a positive note, a win would give the Tigers a share of the Sgt. York Trophy. Hopefully WR Chris Rowland, who’s been dealing with an injury, can return this week. If not, expect the Tigers to lean on RB Te'kendrick Roberson and WR Dayron Johnson offensively. THE PICK: Golden Eagles 30, Tigers 20
SWAC
Alcorn State (7-3, 5-1) at Jackson State (4-7, 3-3), Saturday, 3:00 PM, ESPN3 The Braves have won their sixth straight East Division Title and is a lock to play in the SWAC Title Game. The real question is where will this game be played? A win over the Tigers will guarantee that it’s played in Lorman. To do that, the SWAC’s best rush defense against conference opponents will have to slow down Tiger RB Keshawn Harper, who has rushed for 530 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games. THE PICK: Braves 30, Tigers 17
Mississippi Valley State (2-8, 1-5) at Alabama A&M (6-5, 3-3), Saturday, 2:00 PM Eliminated from the SWAC championship race, the Bulldogs are looking to finish this season with seven wins. A feat they haven’t accomplished since 2012. The Delta Devils have lost four of their last five while Alabama A&M has won five straight in this series. A&M has the second-best scoring offense in the SWAC, and they’ll be competing against the conference’s worst scoring offense. This should be all Alabama A&M in this one. THE PICK: Bulldogs 35, Delta Devils 17
Texas Southern (0-10, 0-6) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-5, 2-4), Saturday, 2:00 PM The Golden Lions can finish this season with a plus-.500 record after a win Saturday. It’ll be the first time UAPB has accomplished this feat since 2012. I’m not sayin’ that this game is a lock, but the Tigers, one of two winless teams in FCS (LIU Post), are giving up the second-most points of any team in the nation but TSU has won three of their last four matchups. THE PICK: Golden Lions 28, Tigers 10
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