LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor
That’s because SWAC favorite – according to its head coaches – Alabama State is facing MEAC favorite – according to its head coaches – North Carolina Central Sunday (3 p.m., ESPN) in the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
If the so-called experts – head coaches from the SWAC and MEAC – are to be believed, the regular season in 2024 black college football begins this week with a match up that could foreshadow the end of the season.
If you listen to these guys, this is a preview of the season-ending Celebration Bowl that pits champions of the two conferences in December in Atlanta.
Regardless of the outcome, this match up is certainly the most intriguing of the 25 games that officially kick off the 2024 regular season.
SWAC vs. MEAC battles are at the top of the schedule this week.
Alabama State vs. NC Central
This is the first time that third-year head coach Eddie Robinson Jr.’s Hornets of Alabama State have been picked as SWAC favorites. ERob’s troops have finished behind both league champion Jackson State and Florida A&M in 2022 in the SWAC East and behind league winner Florida A&M in 2023 in the East.
With both former JSU head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and former FAMU head coach Willie Simmons departing after taking those titles, it appears the coast is clear for ‘Bama State and Robinson to ascend to the top of the league.
Some of that expectation was fueled by the addition of prolific quarterback Andrew Body’s transfer from Texas Southern to join the Hornets. In three seasons at TSU, Body threw for over 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns and ran for over 1,000 yards and nine TDs. But Body was not the only noted addition. ASU also added QB Jonah O’Brien, a transfer from Eastern Illinois that has battled with Body for the starting job. The Hornets also feature preseason all-SWAC performers in RB Marcus Harris, OL Aurelius Dunn, KR Robert McMinn, DL Treqwan Thomas, LB Rico Dozier and DBs James Burgess and Amon Scarbrough.
Trei Oliver’s Eagles of NCCU have finished first and second in the MEAC over the past two seasons. They may have been picked to win the MEAC this season based on having an experienced quarterback returning to the fold.
starts and showed his prowess throwing for five TDs in a game last season vs. Mississippi Valley State.
OL Trevon Humphrey, RB J’Mari Taylor and WR Joaquin Davis are offensive standouts. The Eagles’ defense is led by DL Jaden Taylor, DB Kole Jones and LB Max Uren.
Other Games to Watch
Shaw (1 p.m.) and Winston-Salem State is at Bluefield State (6 p.m.). In the SIAC, Edward Waters is at Morehouse (3 p.m.).
The lone SWAC game has West Division neighbors Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M in their traditional Labor Day weekend tussle (6 p.m.).
CIAA vs. SIAC match ups include Virginia Union at Kentucky State (Sat., 3 p.m., HBCUGo), and Sunday’s games between Benedict and Virginia State at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio (4 p.m., NFL Network) and Johnson C. Smith and Tuskegee in the Red Tails Classic in Montgomery, Alabama (7 p.m., ESPNU).
In other Saturday contests, Tennessee State hosts Mississippi Valley State (5 p.m.) in the classic named for legendary former TSU coach, the late John Merritt. Morgan State travels to face Hampton and new head coach Trent Boykin (6 p.m., FloFootball).
In other Div. II battles Saturday, Livingstone is hosting Charleston (6 p.m.) while Albany State is at Valdosta State (7 p.m., FloFootball) and Miles is at West Alabama (6 p.m.)
Plenty of eyes will be fixed on another SWAC vs. MEAC battle in Tallahassee, Florida Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN+) that could have Celebration Bowl implications when Florida A&M and new head coach James Colzie III, coming off a tight 24-23 Week Zero win over Norfolk State, hosts South Carolina State and new head coach Chennis Berry.
There is much expectation and anticipation around Berry after two undefeated championship seasons in the SIAC at Benedict. He takes over the storied Bulldogs’ program that has been led over the past 40-plus years by two legendary head coaches in Hall of Famer Willie Jeffries (1973-78 and 1989-2000) and future Hall of Famer Buddy Pough (2002-23).
The schedule opens this week on Thursday with five black college teams ‘playing up’ on the road against higher level competition.
In those FCS vs. FBS match ups, Howard is at Rutgers (6 p.m., Big Ten Network), Arkansas-Pine Bluff is at Arkansas (6:30 p.m., ESPNU), Alcorn State is at UAB (7 p.m., ESPN+) and North Carolina A&T is at Wake Forest (7 p.m., ACC Network Extra). Central State of the Div. II SIAC, faces Morehead State of the FCS Pioneer Conference (6 p.m., ESPN+).
Saturday’s line-up also has a host of other black college FCS teams playing on the road and looking for upsets vs. FBS competition.
There are a few intra-conference black college battles Saturday.
In the CIAA, Elizabeth City State is atShaw (1 p.m.) and Winston-Salem State is at Bluefield State (6 p.m.). In the SIAC, Edward Waters is at Morehouse (3 p.m.).
The lone SWAC game has West Division neighbors Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M in their traditional Labor Day weekend tussle (6 p.m.).
CIAA vs. SIAC match ups include Virginia Union at Kentucky State (Sat., 3 p.m., HBCUGo), and Sunday’s games between Benedict and Virginia State at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio (4 p.m., NFL Network) and Johnson C. Smith and Tuskegee in the Red Tails Classic in Montgomery, Alabama (7 p.m., ESPNU).
In other Saturday contests, Tennessee State hosts Mississippi Valley State (5 p.m.) in the classic named for legendary former TSU coach, the late John Merritt. Morgan State travels to face Hampton and new head coach Trent Boykin (6 p.m., FloFootball).
In other Div. II battles Saturday, Livingstone is hosting Charleston (6 p.m.) while Albany State is at Valdosta State (7 p.m., FloFootball) and Miles is at West Alabama (6 p.m.)
