HBCU Football Week 12 delivers US championship games, major conference battles and maybe a surprise or two.
Your friendly HBCU Football Prognosticator has your predictions for what promises to be a fun weekend of football.
As always, before we pick this week’s game, let’s go back to the 11 predictions.
Week 11 record: 23-8
2025 General note: 221-67
Best pick: Johnson C. Smith 31, Livingstone 21 (Golden Bull 26-21, first in CIAA title game in 50 years … let’s see if they’re there …)
Worst seed: Texas Southern 27, Alcorn State 14 (Braves 35-17, overwhelming TSU in Swac West Race)
Game of the Week: South Carolina State (7-3, 3-0 MeAC) at North Carolina Central (7-3, 2-1 MeAC), Friday, Nov. 14, 5 p.m. EST, ESPN2
Thanks to ESPN’s Bass-Ackwards scheduling, the most important game on the Meac schedule to date will begin in rush hour in the bullpen.
He said there are too many lines. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a conference game since the arrival of Channis Berry last season and set up a potential championship game at Delaware State next week.
To do so, they will have to go through an aging squad, taking revenge on us after last season’s controversial loss to the Orangebirds.
Center, lead rusher Chris Mosley, but AJ Rodgers continues to impress and quarterback Walker Harris’ caliber season offensively.
Lineman Thomas Johnson leads a furious NCCU defense that doesn’t allow much in the passing game.
They will be tested by James Madison transfer Billy Atkins, who was given a boost by South Carolina State’s strong arm.
If Central wins, a pretty interesting three-way tiebreaker is in play. If South Carolina State wins, they will get a windfall from returning to Atlanta.
Expect the best of the year in HBCU football this game.
Prediction: South Carolina State 28, North Carolina Central 24
Virginia Commonwealth (9-1, 7-0 CIAA) vs. Johnson C. Smith, (9-1 6-1 CIAA), CIAA Championship Game, Durham County Memorial Stadium, Durham, North Carolina, Saturday 15, 3 PM, CIAA Network
The Panthers went undefeated, including 28-10 in September, 20-10 on the CIAA schedule.
JCSU had to sweat out revenge games against Fayetteville State and Livingstone, including several close ones, to reach the title game, so this game will be tough.
The question is, do Curtis Allen and the vaunted VUU slow down the running game? Either way, both teams are headed to the NCAA Division II tournament, so the CIAA wins the league.
Prediction: Virginia Commonwealth 31, Johnson C. Smith 21
Benedict (9-1, 7-1 i I) at Albany State (9-1, 8-0 siak), championship game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 1, ESPN +
The Golden Rams beat the Tigers 31-3 31-3 three weeks ago in Columbia, so home field advantage makes things tougher for Benedict.
Defense will be key for both teams as both will need to be lit up to keep the game away.
Albany State’s offense has become more consistent and now Isaiah Knowles Back at quarterback, they look like a dark horse for a long run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
The opportunity to win a SIAC championship is likely to begin.
Prediction: Albany State 30, Benedict 16
Bethune-Cookan at Johnson State (5-5, 4-2-2-2-2-2 to 5-2, 5-2, 5-2, 5-1.yo), Sat., 15, 1 PM, Grio
JSU can lock up another Swac East title against a still-repeating Bethune-Cookman team Dust at grambling last weekend.
When the Tigers completely forget to play football, you can pencil in a W for the away team and a mind-blowing jitters from the trip.
Prediction: Jackson State 27, Bethune-Cookman 13
Week 12
Saturday, November 15
Delaware State 20, Howard 14
Norfolk State 24, Morgan State 21
Texas 27 Alcorn State 14
34 Prairie View, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20
Florida A&M 26, Alabama A & M 25
Alcorn State 21, Gramling 17
texas south 23, South 14
Alabama State 35, Mississippi Valley State 17
William & Mary 33Hampton 18
Monmouth 34, North Carolina A & T 16
Gardner-Webb 32Tennessee State 17
Kentucky State 33, Short 23
Allen 34, 19 Erskine
Charleston 30, West Virginia State 15
Lincoln (M.) 14, William Jewell 13
Langston 24, Oklahoma Panhandle State 23
Florida Memorial 28, St. Thomas 17
Fort Lauderdale 27, Vul
