Stats Perform is bringing a greater spotlight to athletes, students and stories at Historically Black Colleges and Universities through a partnership with Urban Edge Network. We’re looking at which HBCUs have the jump on conference title races.
It’s Week 7 of the college football season and almost all of the teams in the FCS are in full conference play, with positioning underway to see who will make a run at titles.
The HBCU programs are also setting themselves up for the stretch run that could land them as contenders for conference championships and postseason berths. MEAC and SWAC teams are playing for an appearance in the Celebration Bowl, but HBCUs also are present in CAA Football and the Big South-OVC, where those teams battle for playoff bids.
Here’s an early look at how HBCUs are shaping up in conference title races:
MEAC
Full conference play does not start for another week, but North Carolina Central has the early jump on its MEAC rivals thanks to a 37-10 win over Norfolk State. But, like last season, there are a few teams with the ability to jump up and snatch the title away.
Howard is the defending champion, but has yet to catch fire, even with the return of 12 All-MEAC preseason selections. Morgan State and South Carolina State were both 3-2 in last year’s conference race behind Howard and NCCU, which both went 4-1, and they’re all lining up paths to the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.
Spotlight: North Carolina Central at South Carolina State (Oct. 31)
This Halloween night matchup will be a border war that could have recruiting ramifications in addition to being a big conference showdown. SCSU has a chance to test its level against one of the best in the MEAC, and also the nation when you consider NCCU is ranked No. 25 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll.
SCSU has improved under first-year coach Chennis Berry, but are the Bulldogs ready to compete for a title? If there’s a disadvantage for NCCU, the matchup comes on the road just five days after the Eagles face Morgan State’s physical squad.
Spotlight: Howard at Morgan State (Nov. 23)
This contest between the Washington and Baltimore rivals always seems to have an impact on the MEAC title. Last season, Howard’s 14-7 victory over Morgan State stopped NCCU from securing the title and brought it to the home of “Excellence in Truth and Service.” This season, Morgan State hopes it is in position to bring the title back to the “National Treasure.”
But that will likely only happen with a win over the Bison.
SWAC
As far as conference title races go in the SWAC, it’s always hot and heavy from the start. Every team has played at least one conference game, some have played two, and defending West Division champion Prairie View A&M has played three conference games already (with two losses).
The early leaders are Jackson State in the East and Alcorn State in the West, both at 2-0. The upcoming schedule grind stands out for both teams, but particularly for Alcorn in what’s become a wild, wacky race of contenders.
Florida A&M (East) and Southern (West) are off to 1-0 starts, but eight other teams are already playing catchup due to at least one SWAC loss. It will be a battle just to get to the conference championship game on Dec. 7
Remember, the SWAC champion immediately comes back to play the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 14 instead of having two weeks of preparation, like in past years.
Spotlight: Alcorn State at Grambling State (Saturday)
This is a critical game in the West Division. Both teams have avenues to the title game, but after stumbling against Prairie View A&M 36-34 in five overtimes, Grambling needs to get this win over Alcorn to pull the Braves back into the pack.
While two of Alcorn’s three losses came against FBS opponents, the Braves’ two conference wins were over Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (a combined 1-9), and their crossover games are difficult (Alabama State and rival Jackson State). After a dominating run last decade, the Braves are seeking their first SWAC title game appearance in the 2020s.
Spotlight: Florida A&M at Jackson State (Oct. 19)
FAMUs two losses have come against FBS opponents and it’s had a couple close calls against FCS competition. However, the Rattlers’ road win over Alabama State last Saturday was quality.
The reigning Celebration Bowl champs look to be gathering strength now that they are into the conference race, but Jackson State has hit the ground running with over 40 points in their last two games.
This again has a chance to be one of the more entertaining games of the 2024 season. The winner has gone on to undefeated SWAC seasons each of the past three years.
Yeah, no pressure.
Big South-OVC
Tennessee State is the only HBCU competing in this two-conference merger, but they’re in the title mix – off to a 4-2 overall record and 2-1 in the conference.
But there are some solid teams in the conference, with 11th-ranked Southeast Missouri appearing to be the class of it. While Tennessee State doesn’t have much room for error, if it navigates the conference landscape, SEMO will be waiting at the end of the road on Nov. 23.
Spotlight: UT Martin at Tennessee State (Nov. 2)
If the Tigers want to be a serious contender for the conference title, this is likely where the proving ground will be. UT Martin is 3-3, but its only conference loss is to SEMO in overtime, and the Skyhawks have earned at least a share of a conference title in three straight seasons.
Under coach Eddie George, Tennessee State is 6-1 at home the last two seasons.
CAA Football
Hampton (3-3, 0-2) and North Carolina A&T (1-5, 0-2) appear to be falling out of CAA title contention before the race even reaches its midpoint.
Hampton is in its third season in the CAA and has a 4-14 conference record in that time. N.C. A&T is winless through 10 games in its first two seasons in the conference.
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