by
By Jarrett Hoffman
HBCU Sports
Here is the most intriguing matchup of the 2025 HBCU football season every week.
Week 0: North Carolina Central v. Southern
The HBCU football season begins as it does every year, with the
MEAC/SWAC Challenge
contested between North Carolina Central and Southern. Beyond this being a yearly tradition, both teams involved are expected to be top contenders in their respective conferences. In addition to looking for a strong start to the season, North Carolina Central will be tasked with ending the MEAC’s three-game losing streak in this series.
Week 1: Tuskegee v. Winston-Salem State
In the final game of the first full week of the 2025 HBCU football season, we get a historic Sunday evening matchup between Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State in the
Red Tails Classic
. Both Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State enter the season as sleepers in their respective conferences, following improved 2024 campaigns. This season-opening contest will serve as a litmus test for them in their quest for conference championship contention.
Honorable Mention: Prairie View A&M v. Texas Southern
Week 2: Virginia State v. Norfolk State
For the third year in a row, Virginia State travels to Norfolk to play against the Spartans, looking to break a tie in the series. In 2023, the Trojans pulled off an upset against Norfolk State in a chaotic finish, scoring 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans evened the score the following year, tallying 467 offensive yards in a 28-23 win. We are in for another Game of the Year contender if this game is anything like the two contests since the series was revived.
Honorable Mention: Jackson State v. Southern Miss
Week 3: Fort Valley State v. Clark Atlanta
SIAC championship runner-up Clark Atlanta opens its conference schedule, welcoming top contender Fort Valley State. Last year, these two teams clashed in their respective season opener,
combining for 87 points
in a thriller that saw Clark Atlanta end a 13-game losing streak.
Circumstances have changed for each team with FVSU welcoming an entirely new coaching staff and the Panthers ushering in a new era without star quarterback David Wright III. In a SIAC championship projected to be tight down the stretch, neither team can afford a loss, which means we could get a repeat of their classic matchup.
Honorable Mention: Miles v. Alabama State
Week 4: Virginia Union v. Johnson C. Smith
The reigning CIAA champion, Virginia Union Panthers, get their first actual test of the season when they go up against Johnson C. Smith. Although Virginia Union was supreme, repeating as CIAA champions, followed by a historic performance in the Division II playoffs, Johnson C. Smith got the best of them in their regular-season matchup.
This time, the Golden Bulls
boast a much stronger roster
, while the Panthers proceed without their star running back, Jada Byers. While Virginia Union will have the gift of home-field advantage, getting past the Golden Bulls will be an uphill climb in their quest for a three-peat.
Honorable Mention: Hampton v. Howard
Week 5: Jackson State v. Southern
In a rematch of
last year’s SWAC championship game,
Jackson State looks to extend its win streak over Southern in the 73rd edition of the Boombox Classic. Southern is looking to avoid losing a seventh consecutive loss to Jackson State, which would match its longest losing streak in this series since 1983.
In addition, there is a strong possibility these two teams could match up again with the SWAC title on the line. A strong performance or a possible win could be a huge confidence booster for Southern in a competitive race for the SWAC West division title.
Honorable Mention: Fort Valley State v. Tuskegee
Week 6: Virginia State v. Johnson C. Smith
On the next stop of Johnson C. Smith’s revenge tour, they go up against Virginia State for the first time since they snatched their berth in the CIAA championship game last season. Starting the 2024 season a perfect 8-0, Johnson C. Smith needed just one win in its final two contests or a Virginia State loss to clinch a spot in the conference title game.
This did not come to fruition for the Golden Bulls as they lost their final two contests. At the same time, the Trojans would claim the championship berth after beating the eventual champion Virginia Union in their regular-season finale. Though Johnson C. Smith comes in with the better roster on paper, it will be a significant hurdle for them against a team they have not beaten on the road in over two decades.
Honorable Mention: Norfolk State v. Hampton
Week 7: Clark Atlanta v. Albany State
Clark Atlanta features again in what could be an SIAC championship preview, this time against perennial conference contender Albany State. While the Panthers saw many key players from last year’s team depart in the offseason, the Golden Rams’ core remained intact.
Players such as reigning
SIAC Freshman of the Year Tiant Wyche
and All-SIAC quarterback Isaiah Knowles will be key to Albany State’s championship pursuits. This matchup could determine who will play for an SIAC championship in November. It is sure to be an exciting game with offensive firepower on both sides.
Honorable Mention: North Carolina Central v. Florida A&M
Week 8: Prairie View A&M v. Southern
The SWAC West could be decided in a week eight matchup between the last two division champions, Prairie View A&M and Southern. Either PV or Southern has won six of the previous seven division championships, and the winner of the respective regular-season matchup will go on to claim the conference title berth.
After a down season, Prairie View returned to the drawing board, moving on from head coach Bubba McDowell and hiring Tremaine Jackson. Meanwhile, Southern underwent noticeable changes, including losing starting quarterback Noah Bodden and longtime running back Kendric Rhymes. The Jaguars’ bid for a second straight division title could be in jeopardy depending on the result of this game.
Honorable Mention: Tuskegee v. Albany State
Week 9: Jackson State v. Grambling State
Jackson State has a chance to avenge a minor blemish from last season when they face Grambling State in the
Las Vegas HBCU Classic.
Last season, Grambling State dismantled Jackson State 41-20, highlighted by five forced turnovers and 20 unanswered points in the second half.
Even after claiming a win in the Celebration Bowl, Jackson State comes into the year with a much stronger roster. This game, counting toward their conference record, could add intensity that last year’s matchup did not have.
Honorable Mention: Alabama A&M v. Alabama State
Week 10: Jackson State v. Florida A&M
One week later, Jackson State has another crucial conference matchup, facing Florida A&M in a matchup of the last two SWAC East division champions. Last season, Jackson State got revenge after losing to Florida A&M for the first time since joining the SWAC the previous year.
Despite their 2024 campaign being their worst in the SWAC, the Rattlers gave the Tigers a tough test. If FAMU comes back stronger this year, this could be an exciting contest between the top two contenders in the SWAC East.
Honorable Mention: Norfolk State v. Delaware State
Week 11: Albany State v. Fort Valley State
In the final week of the regular season, we get a key SIAC championship-determining contest between Albany State and Fort Valley State. In their final regular-season game last year, Fort Valley State needed a win over Albany State to clinch a spot in the conference title game.
That did not come to pass as the Golden Rams played spoiler, securing a 20-15 win to knock the Wildcats out of title contention. In addition to Fort Valley State seeking revenge, both teams are projected to be in position for a postseason spot by the end of the regular season. This game’s result could be significant in deciding who plays for the conference championship.
Honorable Mention: Virginia Union v. Virginia State
Week 12: South Carolina State v. North Carolina Central
Like in the 2024 season, the MEAC title could be decided when South Carolina State clashes with North Carolina Central. South Carolina State got the North Carolina Central in their last matchup, fending off a late rally to win 24-21. This win cleared the way for the Bulldogs to clinch the MEAC title and a berth in the Celebration Bowl.
Although both teams went through significant changes in the offseason, notably losing their top respective offensive stars, Eric Phoenix and J’Mari Taylor, both teams are expected to be in the mix to win the conference. The fact that this game is almost always guaranteed to produce drama is a bonus.
Honorable Mention: Texas Southern v. Southern
Week 13: Jackson State v. Alcorn State
The last full week of HBCU football in the Division II ranks sees the renewal of a storied rivalry between Jackson State and Alcorn State in the Soul Bowl. They have split their last two matchups, though the Tigers’ win last season was much more decisive. If all things go according to plan, this should be a preview of this year’s SWAC championship game. A win could go a long way for either team to build momentum with the postseason potentially looming.
Honorable Mention: North Carolina Central v. Morgan State
Week 14: Southern v. Grambling State
The final week of the regular season concludes with the 52nd annual Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State. In addition to renewing a heated rivalry to culminate Thanksgiving weekend, this contest could potentially have postseason implications.
Featured in a SWAC West Division with no clear favorite, a win in this game could be the difference between clinching a spot in the conference championship or a premature end to the season. This is arguably the most historic rivalry in all of HBCU football and is guaranteed to be a heated affair.
Honorable Mention: Alabama State v. Tuskegee
Jarrett Hoffman
Jarrett Hoffman is an HBCU Sports contributor and a graduate of Bowie State University.
