In week five of the HBCU football season, the SWAC takes center stage as it officially enters its first full slate of the year.
This week is headlined by a trio of SWAC rivalry games, two of which will come between division rivals looking to take a big step toward conference championship contention.
Also, a pair of SIAC games will be played between teams atop the conference standings, including two of the last remaining unbeaten teams in conference play.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in week 5 of the HBCU football season.
Allen vs. Albany State
When: September 27; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
Returning to the football field after an idle week, Albany State dips back into conference play when it hosts Allen.
The Yellow Jackets improved to 2-0 against the SIAC last week when they scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Clark Atlanta 49-38.
This game is a matchup between two prolific offenses, each featuring a top candidate for the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year award.
Allen’s offense is headlined by running back Fabian Duncan, who just posted 229 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Clark Atlanta.
Meanwhile, the Golden Rams’ offense stars quarterback Isaiah Knowles, who threw for 304 yards and six touchdowns in the team’s conference opener against Kentucky State.
When these two teams met last season, Knowles threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns, helping lead Albany State to a 57-17 win.
The last time these two teams met in Albany, Allen won 39-27, clinching its first winning season in nearly 60 years.
Benedict vs. Clark Atlanta
When: September 27; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SIAC Network
Benedict, the last remaining undefeated team in HBCU football, will take its perfect record on the line when it travels to Clark Atlanta.
Benedict is looking to build on a 45-24 win over Tuskegee from last Thursday, which improved its conference record to 2-0 (3-0 overall).
The Tigers rode a strong second quarter, in which they scored three unanswered touchdowns to take and keep the lead, on their way to victory.
Meanwhile, Clark Atlanta’s loss to Allen was also underscored by the injury to starting quarterback Zy McDonald, who went down after scoring the team’s first points.
In relief of McDonald, true freshman Xzavier Jackson put forth an incredible debut performance, recording 244 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Should he be called on again in relief of McDonald, Jackson will be tasked with keeping up the Panthers home win streak, have won their last four home games dating back to last season.
Clark Atlanta is also looking for its first win over Benedict since 2016. It has lost its last five meetings in the series, including a 49-20 loss in the last outing in 2022.
Alabama State vs. Florida A&M
When: September 27; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
The SWAC officially enters its first full conference slate with a key SWAC East matchup in Bragg Stadium between Florida A&M and Alabama State.
Both teams come into this game off idle weeks after previous victories over SIAC opponents Albany State and Miles, respectively.
Through three games, Alabama State boasts the top offense in the SWAC, averaging 36.3 points per game while also leading the conference with 262.3 passing yards per game.
Returning from a season-ending injury last season, Hornets quarterback Andrew Body ranks highly among the most efficient quarterbacks in FCS football.
He is currently tied for fourth in FCS with 10 passing touchdowns, and he is one of only two quarterbacks to do so while completing over 70% of his passes without throwing a single interception.
The Hornets will face a Florida A&M team looking to redeem itself after a rough start in their only FCS contest thus far, losing 10-9 to Howard.
Since entering the SWAC, the Rattlers have had the Hornets’ number, claiming a win in each of their four meetings, including two-score wins in three of those four games.
Jackson State vs. Southern
When: September 27; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Southern is trying to break a losing streak and get over the hump against defending SWAC champion Jackson State.
The Jaguars have lost six straight against Jackson State dating back to 2021, including losses in the 2022 and 2024 SWAC championship games.
A win would match the longest win streak the Tigers have ever had against Southern (won seven straight from 1977-1983).
Though this will technically serve as Southern’s conference opener, it has split its two contests against SWAC opponents, having won 34-29 against Mississippi Valley State and lost 30-7 against Alabama State.
A win would avoid the Jaguars’ first 1-4 start to a season since 2002.
Jackson State, on the other hand, is entering just its second FCS contest of the season, having beaten Hampton 28-14 in its season opener.
Their last outing saw them claim a 30-0 shutout victory over Tuskegee, extending their home win streak to eight dating back to last season.
Beginning their road to a repeat, the Tigers have not lost an official conference contest since 2023 (they lost a non-conference game against Grambling State last season, though).
Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M
When: September 27; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWACTV
The night ends with the State Fair Classic in the Cotton Bowl between the Grambling State Tigers and the Prairie View A&M Panthers.
While Prairie View has had control of the series since 2018, winning six of the last seven meetings, the two teams have split the last two meetings.
In 2023, Grambling broke a five-game win streak with a 35-20 victory while Prairie View A&M got back in the win column the following year in a close 36-34 outing.
Both teams come into this game after non-conference FCS wins against Northwestern State and East Texas A&M, respectively.
Each team’s head coach discussed the challenges they present during the SWAC weekly coaches’ press conference, adding intrigue to this highly anticipated matchup.
Prairie View A&M head coach Tremaine Jackson said of this matchup, “We want to make sure when the grass gets cut in August that you’re thinking about Prairie View A&M.”
On the other hand, Grambling State head coach Mickey Joseph chimed in, “We know you got two of the top dogs playing Saturday night in Dallas with coaches who’ve got a reputation of getting their kids ready to play no matter what happens or what goes on outside.”
In a highly competitive SWAC West with no clear favorite, this contest could prove important in deciding who represents the division in the conference championship game.