Who’s ready for some college football tricks or treats? Well, ready or not, it’s that time of year again. The weather’s finally getting cooler, the leaves are changing, and college football conference races are tightening up as the finish line to the FCS postseason is already starting to take shape. This past Saturday, both the MEAC and SWAC had plenty of early Halloween goodies in store game-wise, and there were some upsets to report this week. All in all, the SWAC and MEAC races are starting to become very interesting, to say the least.
HBCU Fab Five (as of October 29th)
1. Alabama State (5-2 Overall, 3-1 SWAC)
With a convincing 56-13 in the 84th Magic City Classic over rival Alabama A&M, head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. won his fourth consecutive classic. Alabama State showed again that they’re a legitimate contender in the SWAC and the blowout victory on a national stage means they’re moving to the front of the Fab Five this week.
2. Delaware State (5-3 Overall, 1-0 MEAC)
Winning their conference opener as underdogs, on the road and facing North Carolina Central on their homecoming weekend, the DSU Hornets won a convincing first MEAC win under first-year head coach DeSean Jackson. With another 241 yards on the ground against a solid NCCU team, the Hornets are looking forward to a Thursday night game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia against the reeling Norfolk State Spartans.
3. Jackson State (5-2 Overall, 3-1 SWAC)
Yes, the JSU Tigers dropped a heartbreaker to Grambling State on a game-winning field goal and proved to the FCS that they’re beatable in the SWAC. However, this is still a solid football program and look for them to bounce back quickly.
4. Prairie View A&M (6-2 Overall, 4-0 SWAC)
The Panthers are undefeated in SWAC play and coming off a homecoming win against Lincoln (CA); can they carry that momentum forward this coming week? PVAMU is expected to be one of those programs challenging Jackson State for the SWAC title this season and they look the part right now.
5. Grambling State (5-3 Overall, 2-2 SWAC)
Grambling State gets the nod this week with its knockout win over Jackson State on Saturday. It’s now going to be November and every win counts and Grambling needs every bit of help to keep the momentum going. We’ll see how the Tigers look following C’zavian Teasett’s scary injury against Jackson State.
HBCU Flop Five
1. North Carolina Central (5-3 Overall, 0-1 MEAC)
Okay, they dropped a game to Delaware State on Saturday, but it was homecoming and DSU is technically in a “rebuilding” mode this season. However, tell that to the Hornets who stung NCCU like a nest of angry insects looking to make a statement. The Eagles need a bounceback week against Howard in order to keep moving forward, or they’ll take another step back in the MEAC.
2. Alabama A&M (4-4 Overall, 1-3 SWAC)
The Bulldogs aren’t a bad team; they just got beaten badly by their rivals in the form of Alabama State on a national stage on ESPN. There’s still plenty of football to be played and Alabama A&M can bury their heads in the sand or “lock on” and get back to the business of playing some good football again.
3. Southern University (1-7 Overall, 0-4 SWAC)
Firing a head coach and bringing in interim HC Fred McNair didn’t seem to make much of a difference in the win-loss columns, as the Jaguars dropped another game and their sixth straight loss. With another month of football games, it could be a long month for the Southern faithful in Baton Rouge. At least the offense showed signs of life against Florida A&M.
4. Mississippi Valley State (1-6 Overall, 0-3 SWAC)
Losing to fellow lost traveler Alcorn State 32-10 this past weekend puts MVSU near the bottom of the Flop Five. Cheer up though – you’re not at the bottom.
5. Norfolk State (1-7 Overall, 0-1 MEAC)
Oh Coach Vick, when will you and your Spartans get a break? I doubt that will happen this week when Norfolk State faces the surging Delaware State Hornets in Philadelphia this Thursday night.
Photo Credit to Alabama State University Athletics
