Week 10 of the HBCU football season marks the penultimate weekend before the end of the regular season for the Division II teams.
With that in mind, we see a pair of teams that have a chance to clinch spots in the conference championship game, including one who will play a team fighting to keep their hopes alive.
In the SWAC, we get a potential conference championship preview between a team entrenched in an all-out war in their division and one who controls their destiny.
Finally, we highlight a MEAC team looking to avenge a devastating loss while the team that beat them begins the week in a monumental showdown.
These are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 10 of the HBCU football season.
Norfolk State vs. Delaware State
When: October 30; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPNU
Former NFL teammates turned HBCU head coaches will clash for the first time when Michael Vick and the Norfolk State Spartans face DeSean Jackson and the Delaware State Hornets.
Vick and Jackson’s teams will meet in Lincoln Financial Field, where they played as teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles from 2009-2013.
Delaware State comes into this game following a groundbreaking 35-26 win in its MEAC opener against North Carolina Central, snapping a 12-game conference losing streak in the process.
On the other hand, Norfolk State’s conference opener was not as successful, surrendering a 35-point second quarter in a 51-20 loss to South Carolina State.
The last time the Hornets got a win over the Spartans was in 2022, which was also the last time DSU entered the game with a better record.
While Norfolk State is still searching for its first FCS win of the season (0-7 overall in addition to conference-opening loss), Delaware State is aiming to keep itself in the hunt for a MEAC title.
Each MEAC contest this weekend will match teams that won their conference opener against teams that lost, providing the winners an opportunity to take sole possession of first place should their competitors slip up.
Johnson C. Smith vs. Fayetteville State
When: November 1; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: TheGrio
Fayetteville State will have its chance to punch its ticket to Durham for the CIAA championship game when it hosts Johnson C. Smith.
The Broncos are currently tied atop the conference standings with the reigning CIAA champion Virginia Union Panthers, each sporting identical 5-0 records.
Meanwhile, the Golden Bulls is still in the mix with a 4-1 conference record (only loss against Virginia Union), needing a win in this game to prevent elimination.
Last year, in a game JCSU needed to win to clinch a spot in the CIAA and keep its bid for an undefeated regular season alive, Fayetteville State played the ultimate spoiler role, walking into the Golden Bulls’ home field and coming away with a 27-0 shutout win.
The loss meant that the Golden Bulls went into the final weekend of the regular season needing a win, which would not materialize as they would be officially with a loss to Livingstone.
This time, it is the Broncos who control their own destiny, simply needing a win in order to return to the CIAA title game after a year absence.
Savannah State vs. Albany State
When: November 1; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Shifting to the SIAC, Albany State will have its shot to clinch a spot in the conference title game in its home finale against Savannah State.
In a battle between the two remaining unbeaten teams in conference play in the SIAC, the Golden Rams came out on top, beating Benedict 31-3.
They will go up against a Savannah State team that snagged a narrow 24-16 win over Morehouse in their last outing.
The Tigers are responsible for the Golden Rams’ their most recent conference loss, handing them a 28-26 loss in their matchup last season.
Despite head-to-head victories against Benedict and Kentucky State, each of whom are still in the mix for an SIAC championship berth, there is a scenario in which the Golden Rams are eliminated from contention entirely.
A loss in this game would guarantee they enter the final week with win-or-go-home stakes and give their competitors an opportunity to claim the final two championship slots.
Alabama State vs. Prairie View A&M
When: November 1; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWAC TV
In the toughest test remaining in Prairie View A&M’s bid for a SWAC West title, the Panthers put their unbeaten conference record on the line against Alabama State.
Last year, the Hornets snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Panthers, outlasting them in a game of field goals for a 9-6 win.
Though, Alabama State has not beaten Prairie View A&M on the road since 2012 (lost its last five against Prairie View in Blackshear Field).
Currently holding a perfect 4-0 record against the SWAC, the Panthers are currently in the driver’s seat in the West division, holding head-to-head wins over second-place Texas Southern and third-place Grambling State.
A win will allow for them to continue to maintain control of their commanding lead, limiting their margin for error in the final four weeks of the regular season.
Meanwhile, Alabama State’s chances to win the SWAC East improved significantly following Jackson State’s loss against Grambling State.
They are engaged in a three-way tie with Jackson State and Bethune-Cookman with 3-1 conference records, with Florida A&M also in the conversation with a 2-1 mark.
Though they will need help from JSU’s upcoming opponents to tip the odds in their favor, the Hornets conference championship hopes could continue to become a reality if they can get a win.
North Carolina Central vs. Howard
When: November 1; Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
North Carolina Central looks to get itself in the win column in MEAC play when they travel to the nation’s capital to face Howard.
The last time the Eagles walked into Greene Stadium to play the Bison, they walked away with a 50-20 loss in what served as the unofficial MEAC championship game in 2023.
North Carolina Central would get its revenge the following year, preventing Howard from getting consecutive wins in the series by beating them 26-3.
Last week, NC Central had its three-game win streak snapped in its MEAC opener against Delaware State, having its homecoming spoiled in a 35-26 loss.
Howard, on the other hand, engaged in an overtime thriller with Morgan State, coming out on top 33-27.
While the Eagles are looking to avoid an 0-2 hole in the MEAC, the Bison have a chance to improve their championship odds, staying unbeaten in conference play.