Well folks we're finally here! Welcome to the start to another exciting HBCU football season. We got a nice appetizer last Saturday as we watched FAMU pull out a 24-23 win over Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. FAMU gets the hard fought victory and now returns home for the home opener against South Carolina State and New Head Coach Chennis Berry. Let's look at the top 5 most interesting HBCU football games of the opening weekend!
Texas Southern @ Prairie View A&M (Labor Day Classic) Sat, Aug 31, 7:00pm Eastern
Texas Southern hasn't enjoyed a victory over Prairie View since 2014. For the last 9 meetings the Panthers have walked away from the Labor Day Classic victorious. Last year it seemed as if Texas Southern had finally reversed the curse as they lead Prairie View 34-17 with 4:35 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Prairie View would score 17 unanswered to push the game to OT before pulling out a 9th straight victory 37-34. The Panthers are coming into the season as one of the favorites to win the SWAC Western Division and is currently the reigning Western Division Champs. Texas Southern is coming off its 13th straight losing season. Texas Southern will be lead by new Head coach Chris Dishman who was a teammate of Prairie View Head coach Bubba McDowell at the Houston Oilers. The loser of this game not only loses bragging rights for the next 365 days but also starts the season 0-1 in SWAC Conference play which is crucial in a SWAC West race that is predicted to be tightly contested.
Virginia State vs Benedict ( Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic) Sun, Sept. 1 4pm
The Tigers of Benedict have been the flag bearers of D2 HBCU football for the previous 2 seasons. Benedict has gone 22-2 overall and finished in the top 15 for 2 consecutive seasons. Exit Chennis Berry and a host of players from those Benedict teams and now Ron Dickerson Jr takes over the program. Virginia State is coming into this season with a ton of confidence after a 8-2 finish last season. The Trojans have improved their win total each year under Head Coach Henry Frazier III. Many believe the Trojans are the favorites in the the CIAA and a win over the Tigers could be that signature win that Virginia State is looking for.
Morgan State vs Hampton ,Sat Aug 31, 6pm
The Bears and Pirates were originally scheduled to meet in a neutral site contest but the game has been moved back to campus and now the Pirates with host the Bears. The Pirates and Bears haven't played each other since 2016 but historically the Pirates have dominated this series. Hampton won 5 straight from 2004 through 2004-2008 and won the most recent two meetings against the Bears. Morgan State has one of the best defensive units in all of FCS football and this season the Bears hope to have an offense to go along with it. Hampton is looking to bounce back after a 5-6 year a season ago that lead to Head Coach Robert Prunty being shown the door. Trent Boykin has been announced as the interim head coach for the 2024 season and game 1 of his audition is on Saturday.
South Carolina State vs Florida A&M, Sat, Aug 31st 6pm
The Rattlers escaped the Spartans by the scales of their chinny chin chin a week ago. Now the Rattlers return home were the snakes have won 20 straight but their last time tasting defeat at home occurred in 2018 at the hands of South Carolina State. The Rattlers are looking to repeat as SWAC Champions and HBCU National Champions. South Carolina State is back. At least that's the word of the off-season as the Bulldogs secured the services of the hottest name in coaching Chennis Berry to write the new chapter of SC State football. Berry holds a 27-7 record as a head coach and took Benedict to heights unlike the program had ever seen. Now Berry follows the legendary Buddy Pough who had 3 HBCU Football National Titles to his name on top of being the winningest coach in SC State history.
Alabama State vs North Carolina Central (Orange Blossum Classic) Sun, Sept. 1st 3pm ESPN
The Hornets have been the talk of the off-season and the darlings of the media's eye. They were predicted to win the SWAC Eastern Division over FAMU and Jackson State which is an indication that Bama State has arrived. North Carolina Central is the top team in HBCU football. The Eagles are coming off of two very special seasons which saw them win the MEAC and HBCU National Title in 2022 and earn a bid to the FCS Playoffs in 2023. The Eagles have finished nationally ranked the past 2 seasons and not only have they arrived, they're a mainstay in the spotlight. If Alabama State wants NCCUs spot they will have to take it. Bama State could make quite a statement with a win over the flag bearers of HBCU football but a loss could bring out the critics who'll be quick to remind us that Champions are won on Saturday's in the fall on the field and not by media votes or podcast mics.
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