HBCU Football Viewer's Guide For Week 8: Critical SWAC Matchups, Homecoming Clashes!

HOUSTON - HBCU football in Week 8 will feature several homecoming matchups and likely more separation in the SWAC West as Southern hosts Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State visits Florida A&M for crucial clashes. Also, several rivalries and regional football action will take place and broadcast on HBCU GO, SWACTV app, ESPN+, UEN, and other digital streaming platforms.

HBCU FOOTBALL GAMES IN WEEK 8

• Kentucky State 17, Franklin Pierce University 14 - Final
• Bowie State vs Bluefield State | 1:00 P.M. | Bluefield, WV | Team 1 Sports
• Johnson C. Smith vs Shaw | 1:00 P.M. | Raleigh, NC | CIAA Network
• Lincoln (PA) vs Virginia Union | 1:00 P.M. | Richmond, VA | CIAA Network
• Southern University Jaguars
• North Carolina Central at Florida A&M | 3 p.m. | HBCU GO
• Virginia-Lynchburg vs Texas Southern | 1:00 p.m. | Texas Southern | SWAC TV
• Lane vs Morehouse | 1:00 P.M. ET | Atlanta, Ga. | ESPN+
• Elizabeth City State vs Virginia State | 2:00 P.M. | Petersburg, VA | CIAA Network
• Alcorn State vs Florida A&M | 3:00 p.m. | Florida A&M | ESPN+
• Clark Atlanta vs Miles | 3:00 P.M. ET | Fairfield, Ala. | ESPN+
• Benedict vs Edward Waters | 4:00 P.M. ET | Jacksonville, Fla. | Stats / Cheap Rs-flyfishing Jordan OutletAC Network
• Virginia-Lynchburg vs Texas Southern | 1:00 p.m. | Texas Southern | SWAC TV
• Grambling State vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 2:00 p.m. | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC TV
• Howard vs Tennessee State | 4:30 P.M. | Nashville, TN | TV: ESPN
• Alcorn State vs Florida A&M | 3:00 p.m. | Florida A&M | ESPN+
• Prairie View A&M vs Southern | 4:00 p.m. | Southern | HBCU GO
• Howard vs Tennessee State | 4:30 P.M. | Nashville, TN | TV: ESPN+

BOLD: HOMECOMING

Featured Game of the Week - Week 8

Prairie View A&M vs. Southern | SWAC TV

The Prairie View-Southern football game has two scenarios that could determine the teams' SWAC fates. Coach Tremaine Jackson has the Panthers in contention for winning the SWAC West with a 3-0 division record. Last season's champions from Baton Rouge are struggling as Coach Terrence Graves has a 1-5 overall and 0-2 league record.

It's simple, Prairie View A&M, another victory over a SWAC West opponent will give them a 4-0 divisional lead over Texas Southern, who sits at 3-1. The Panthers don't wish to fall to 3-1, but still hold the tie-breaker advantage against the Tigers since they defeated them at the 40th Labor Day Classic in September.

Here's another reason why Coach Graves needs to keep PV's conference record unblemished - ALABAMA STATE. In two weeks, the Panthers will host Coach Eddie Robinson Jr., QB Andrew Body, and the explosive Bama State offense at Panther Stadium. Should they fall to Southern and Alabama State, Texas Southern could take the lead position in the SWAC West.

However, TSU still has Alabama State on its schedule as well when it visits The Gump on Nov. 8.

For Southern, they would need a miraculous turn of events and win all remaining games to be in contention for the division. Left on the Jags' schedule after PV are FAMU, UAPB, Alcorn State, Texas Southern, and Grambling State at the Bayou Classic - all conference games.

The probability of mounting a rally with six consecutive victories is low, but not out of the question. Last season, Southern posted a 7-1 conference record as Coach Graves and his "Cardiac Cats" kept hanging "W's" against SWAC foes.

Prairie View A&M has conference contests against Southern, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Mississippi Valley State. They can afford to stumble in at least two of those upcoming games. Nonetheless, it's on Coach Jackson's mind to conquer all rivals. Those back-to-back battles with Alabama State and Alabama A&M will be pivotal for the Panthers. Why?

Those clashes will tell if the conference's top-ranked Prairie View A&M defense is legit or not, facing the No. 1 (ASU) and No. 3 (AAMU) scoring offenses.

Another question is about the Panthers' offense. Can they match firepower against a Bama State, Alabama A&M, or even a Jackson State squad?

Currently, the Panthers' offense is No. 7 in scoring and No. 6 in total offense. Can Prairie View A&M begin to find a rhythm with either Cam Peters or Tevin Carter under center as the season closes?

Howard vs Tennessee State | 4:30 P.M. | Nashville, TN | TV: ESPN.

RECOMMENDED GAMES TO WATCH

Howard vs Tennessee State | 4:30 P.M. | Nashville, TN | TV: ESPN+

Tennessee State welcomes the Bison for homecoming. Could Larry Scott's team play spoiler once again? The Tigers Hold Off The Bison!

Alcorn State vs Florida A&M | 3:00 p.m. | Florida A&M | ESPN+

Neither can afford to lose. Gotta believe the Rattlers will prevail at home on Homecoming at The Bragg! Rattlers WIN!

Benedict vs Edward Waters | 4:00 P.M. ET | Jacksonville, Fla. | Cheap Rs-flyfishing Jordan OutletAC Network

An important Cheap Rs-flyfishing Jordan OutletAC clash of two the conference's best teams. It will be a shootout! Benedict's defense has the ability to neutralize Edward Waters. Pick Benedict!

Virginia-Lynchburg vs Texas Southern | 1:00 p.m. | Texas Southern | SWAC TV

Albany State may one of the toughest Cheap Rs-flyfishing Jordan OutletAC teams to face at home. Skegee ain't been Skegee before the Morehouse upset. ALBANY STATE PROTECTS HOME!

Grambling State vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 2:00 p.m. | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | SWAC TV

The Tigers are hungry for a win. The Golden Lions won't back down easily. Both SWAC teams have to win to look respectable. Unless the G-Men has solved its QB issues, Pine Bluff wins!

HBCU FOOTBALL GAMES IN WEEK 7

• Southern Connecticut State at Delaware State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
• Westgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV at North Carolina A&T | 1 p.m. | FloFootball
• Fayetteville State at Bowie State | 1 p.m. | no broadcast listed+
• Howard at Sacred Heart | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
• Lincoln (PA) at Bluefield State | 1 p.m. | Bluefield State Network
• Virginia State at Bowie State | 1 p.m. | HBCU GO
• We shall see
• Winston-Salem at Shaw | 1 p.m. | CIAA Network
• Florida Memorial vs. Keiser University | 1 p.m. | Sun Network
• Livingstone at Fayetteville State | 1:30 p.m. | FSU Sports Network
• Norfolk State at Wofford | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Campbell at Hampton | 2 p.m. | FloFootball
• North Carolina Central at Florida A&M | 3 p.m. | HBCU GO
• Westgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV
• Mississippi Valley State at Alabama A&M | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV
• Lincoln (CA) at Alcorn State | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV
• Texas Southern at Grambling State | 7 p.m. | ESPN
• North Carolina A&T Aggies
• Tennessee State at Southeast Missouri State | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
• Texas Southern at Grambling State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Featured Game of the Week - Week 7

No. 2 Alabama State vs. No. 1 Jackson State | ESPNU

No. 2 Alabama State faces No. 1 Jackson State is a game that could settle the SWAC East today! Hornets QB Andrew Body leads the SWAC in a majority of categories, along with his running back Jahbari Kuykendall (436 rushing yards) and WR Jalen Jones (430 receiving yards, 6 TDs).

However, Jackson State is led by QB JaCobian Morgan who has completed 71 of 118 passes for 929 yards, 6 touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 141.4. He won last week's HBCU Legends' National Player of the Week honors.

Morgan can hand the football off to Ahmad Miller and Travis Terrell, each ready to break off a long run against any SWAC defense. Also, he has three dynamic receivers in Nate Rembert, Jameel Gardner Jr. and Ja'Naylon Dupree.

The nation's top-ranked Tigers defense will take on the top-ranked offense. If defense wins championships, then JSU would be the favorites. Turnovers and special teams will be the X-Factors today.

The Hornets currently have a superstar quarterback named Andrew Body, who leads the conference in several offensive categories:

SWAC Stats

Body leads in...

1. All-purpose yards: 1900 yards (380 YPG)
2. Norfolk State at Wofford | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN
3. Rushing per game: 104.0 yards
4. Passing: 1,380 yards
5. Passing per game: 276.0
6. Passing TDs: 18
7. Passing Efficiency Rating: 203.3

FCS Stats

• Passing Efficiency: No. 3
• Passing Yards: No. 12
• Completion Percentage: No. 12 with 69.7%
• Passing TDs: 18

WEEK 7 - 5 GAMES TO WATCH

• Virginia State vs. Bowie State | 1 PM | HBCU GO | Pick - Virginia State

• Westgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV vs. North Carolina A&T | 1 PM | FloFootball | Pick Westgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV

• North Carolina Central vs. Florida A&M | 3 PM | HBCU GO | Pick - NCCU

• Southern vs. Bethune-Cookman | 4 PM | SWAC TV | Pick - Bethune-Cookman

• ALBANY STATE PROTECTS HOME

Last week's games:

HBCU FOOTBALL GAMES IN WEEK 6

Here are your Saturday, Oct. 4 HBCU football games scheduled for Week 6:

• Delaware State at Monmouth | 1 p.m. | FloFootball
• Morgan State at Georgetown | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
• Shaw at Bluefield State | 1 p.m. | (no broadcast listed)
• Fayetteville State at Bowie State | 1 p.m. | (no broadcast listed)
• Livingstone at Elizabeth City State | 1 p.m. | (no broadcast listed)
• Virginia Union at Winston-Salem State | 1 p.m. | (no broadcast listed)
• Savannah State at Westgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
• Johnson C. Smith at Virginia State | 2 p.m. | (no broadcast listed)
• Ottawa-Arizona vs. Langston (OK) | 2 p.m. | SAC Network
• Bethune-Cookman at Alabama State | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV
• Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
• Allen at Benedict | 3 p.m. | Cheap Rs-flyfishing Jordan OutletAC Network
• Kentucky State at Miles | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
• Elizabeth City State vs Virginia State | 2:00 P.M. | Petersburg, VA | CIAA Network
• North Carolina A&T at William & Mary | 3:30 p.m. | FloFootball
• Norfolk State at Hampton (Battle of the Bay) | 4 p.m. | FloFootball
• Prairie View A&M at Alcorn State | 4 p.m. | SWAC TV
• Alabama A&M vs. Jackson State | 5 p.m. | HBCU GO
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern | 7 p.m. | SWAC TV
• Florida Memorial vs. Southeastern University | 7 p.m. | Sun Conference Network

Featured Game of the Week

Alabama A&M vs. Jackson State | HBCU GO

The Jackson State Tigers will meet Alabama A&M at the Gulf Coast Challenge inside Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4. HBCU GO will feature the game at 4 PM ET with James Hadnot (play-by-play), Jon Kelley (color analyst), and Nicole Hutchinson (sideline reporter) handling the broadcast for the network.

It's the first face-to-face clash between head coaches TC Taylor (JSU) and Sam Shade (AAMU). The classic will have Tigers quarterback JaCobian Morgan meeting Cornelius Brown IV or Eric Handley for the Bulldogs, leading both offenses in what has the makings of an epic showdown in the 31st meeting of the two programs. The Tigers lead the all-time series, 18-12.

FYI

• BACK-TO-BACK 500-YARD PERFORMANCES: Jackson State racked up 522 yards of total offense, the most since a win over Mississippi Valley State in 2022, against Tuskegee. They answered that with 534 yards against Southern to top the previous mark from the prior game.
• Jackson State is the favorites and has not dropped a conference game the end of 2023 and is riding a nine-game SWAC winning streak.
• AAMU is seeking to end a three-game losing streak to JSU
• 350 days... that was the span between losses for Jackson State following the game at Southern Miss on Saturday [Sept. 6]. Prior to that game, Jackson State last loss on Sept. 21, 2024 on the road before reeling off 10 consecutive victories to close out 2024 and extended the streak to 11 after the 2025 season opener. Although the winning streak may be over for consecutive wins, they maintain the 11-game streak against FCS opponents

KEY PLAYERS

JSU

• JaCobian Morgan had an excellent game against Southern, producing an outing with 337 passing yards and two touchdowns. He was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week and BOXTOROW HBCU National Co-Player of the Week. HBCU Legends gave him an honorable mention for his outstanding performance.
• The Tigers had three receivers rack up 90-plus yards in the win over Southern led by  with 102 yards on five receptions. He was joined by  with seven receptions for 96 yards and  with 93 yards on five receptions. Both Rembert and Dupree had touchdown receptions in the win.
•  recorded his first career interception at Jackson State on the goal line to end a Southern threat, leading to the longest scoring drive of the season for the Tigers to close the half. Jackson State went 97 yards to end the half with a 51-yard touchdown reception from Dupree with just five seconds remaining.

AAMU

• Quarterback Eric Handley went 27 of 40 passing for 355 yards, with three touchdowns at BCU - all career marks for the redshirt freshman.
• Alabama A&M quarterback Cornelious Brown IV has thrown a touchdown pass in five of the past six games he has played in, dating back to the 2024 season.
• Placekicker David Faulk went 2-for-2 in field goals last weekend at Bethune-Cookman, including booting a career-long 45-yarder.

PREDICTION

Jackson State by 7+ points over Alabama A&M

GAMES TO WATCH

Morehouse College (0-4) vs. Tuskegee (2-3)

The Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic is the 'Grandaddy' of all classics, dating back to 1936. The teams first met in 1902. Morehouse will face Tuskegee University in the annual Morehouse–Tuskegee Classic on October 4 at 7:00 PM ET, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Maroon Tigers are improving. The dropped a close one to Edward Waters, but find themselves with plenty of alumni and fan support going into the Morehouse-Tuskegee Class in Montgomery, Alabama this weekend.

Broadcast: ESPN+

Pick: Morehouse in the Upset & First Victory of the Season

Prairie View A&M vs. Alcorn State

Prairie View can post 3 wins in the SWAC West should they defeat Alcorn State. The game will broadcast on SWAC TV.

Pick: Prairie View A&M

BONUS PICKS:

• Texas Southern over UAPB

• Westgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 3 p.m. | SWAC TV over Savannah State

• Norfolk State over Hampton