Now HBCU Football really gets down to business.
Week Nine begins the chase for the MEAC crown while the SWAC/SIAC/CIAA races continue on in earnest.
Let’s predict Week Nine’s big matchups, but before we get there, let’s look back at Week Eight
Week Eight Record: 18-6
2025 Overall Record: 152-48
Best pick: Benedict 21, Edward Waters 17 (the South Carolina Tigers prevailed 31-27…still unbeaten heading into a big one this weekend.)
Worst pick: Howard 24, Tennessee State 20 (Big Blue won 24-7. Howard has some things to figure out as MEAC play begins.
Game Of The Week: Delaware State (4-3, 0-0 MEAC) at North Carolina Central (5-2, 0-0 MEAC), Saturday Oct. 25, 1 p.m., ESPN Plus
The biggest football game for Delaware State in nearly two decades features a trip to Durham, where NCCU has won their last four games by an average of 27 points per contest.
Do NOT expect a low scoring game Saturday.
Both teams run the ball well: DSU leads all of FCS with 327 yards per game as a team, Central has Chris Mosley and A.J. Rodgers to run the ball.
Neither team has scored below double digits once this year: Central is averaging nearly 52 points per game during their win streak, while DelState tied a school record for points with 70 on homecoming.
The intangible? Championship experience.
As good as the Hornets have been this year, Central has been good consistently over the years. And with it being the Eagles’ homecoming, DSU has their work cut out for them.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 34, Delaware State 26
Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama, The Magic City Classic, Saturday Oct. 25, 3 p.m., ESPN Plus
Two proud football programs with a history of rivalry get together in Magic City for the Magic City Classic.
It would take a miracle for either of these teams to catch and pass Jackson State for the SWAC East title, but bragging rights in this game absolutely matter.
Can AAMU slow down Andrew Body and the greatest show on turf? Just who will be the Bulldogs’ quarterback?
This game is absolutely worth tuning into the ESPN app to find out.
Prediction: Alabama State 30, Alabama A&M 21
Albany State (6-1, 5-0 SIAC) at Benedict (7-0, 5-0 SIAC), Saturday Oct. 25, 2 p.m., ESPN Plus
Benedict has survived some close encounters to host the awesome Rams in what could be a SIAC title game preview.
Albany State (13 points per game) and the Tigers (15.7) are in the top 15 in all of Division II for fewest points allowed, so this could be a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust situation in the Palmetto State capital.
The big question for ASU is the health of quarterback Isaiah Knowles. Though the Rams have won without him, this Benedict defense could wreak havoc on their offense. Either way, this will be a game of the year candidate.
Prediction: Albany State 21, Benedict 20
Winston-Salem State (4-4, 2-3 CIAA) at Johnson C. Smith (6-1, 3-1 CIAA), Saturday Oct. 25, 1 p.m., ESPN Plus
The Golden Bulls packed up Shaw with the quickness to spoil the Bears’ homecoming while the Rams enjoyed their own alumni gathering with a sizable win over Livingstone.
WSSU can play spoiler and keep their own slim championship game hopes alive, while JCSU can get some momentum going for a potential winner-takes-a-spot showdown against Fayetteville State next week.
Prediction: Johnson C. Smith 28, Winston-Salem State 18
Week Nine
Saturday, Oct. 25
South Carolina State 31, Norfolk State 20
Howard 17, Morgan State 16
Mississippi Valley State 24, Alcorn State 19
Prairie View 35, Lincoln (Ca.) 13
Bethune-Cookman 27, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 24
Florida A&M 23, Southern 21
Jackson State 34, Grambling 23
Tennessee State 26, Western Illinois 22
North Carolina A&T 32, Campbell 30
Monmouth 35, Hampton 17
Elizabeth City State 24, Lincoln (Pa.) 13
Fayetteville State 33, Shaw 19
Virginia Union 35, Bowie State 21
Virginia State 31, Bluefield State 28
Livingstone 21, VUL 14
Edward Waters 28, Clark Atlanta 24
Miles 25, Central State 20
Morehouse 27, Savannah State 23
Tuskegee 29, Allen 26
Fort Valley State 20, Lane 16
West Florida 30, West Virginia State 22
McKendree 24, Lincoln (Mo.) 17
Louisiana Christian 31, Texas College 21
Texas Wesleyan 34, Langston 18
Wayland Baptist 32, Arkansas Baptist 15
Florida Memorial 26, Thomas 19
Apprentice 33, Barber-Scotia 13