This is truly a special time of the year and a time to be truly thankful for the blessings we all receive on a daily basis. Whether you celebrate with friends and family or by yourself, we all truly have something or someone in our lives to show our thanks for and count the good fortune that many of us take for granted each day. Of course, Thanksgiving wouldn’t truly be the completely American holiday it’s become without mentioning the word football in any discussion regarding this week’s festivities. For the FCS, the season is winding down and the 2025 playoffs are already set. HBCU football was filled with a lot of exciting games this past weekend, with conference and postseason bids up for grabs. While the Flop Five programs remain largely unchanged this week, the Fab Five did have some significant changes, all of which reflect the changes in both the SWAC and MEAC standings as the regular season comes to a close.
HBCU Fab Five (as of November 24)
1. South Carolina State (9-3 Overall, 5-0 MEAC)
The Bulldogs pulled off a convincing 28-17 win over Delaware State on Saturday to secure the MEAC title for the second year in a row and an invitation to the Celebration Bowl next month. South Carolina State moves up to the top spot as the sole conference winner at this point in the season and awaits the Prairie View A&M–Jackson State winner.
2. Jackson State (9-2 Overall, 7-1 SWAC)
The Tigers are back on top in the SWAC East after winning the head-to-head tiebreaker against Alabama State. That means that Jackson State will be playing on December 6th at home for the SWAC Championship against Prairie View A&M. A victory would put JSU in the Celebration Bowl for the fourth time in five seasons.
3. Prairie View A&M (9-3 Overall, 7-1 SWAC)
PVAMU claimed the SWAC West title and earned a berth in the conference championship game against Jackson State on December 6th. The winner of the SWAC Championship will face South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl. A Prairie View win in the SWAC title game would see the Panthers reach the Celebration Bowl for the first time.
4. Delaware State (8-4 Overall, 4-1 MEAC)
The Delaware State Hornets fell short against South Carolina State in the MEAC title game on Saturday. However, the 2025 season under first-year head coach DeSean Jackson brought an element of excitement back to a moribund football program. DSU improved from one win in 2024 to eight victories this year and made it to the de facto conference championship game. I fully predict this program will be on the rise again next season.
5. North Carolina Central (8-4 Overall, 3-2 MEAC)
The Eagles played their final game on Saturday like it was a bowl game and took care of business against Morgan State with a 33-14 win. With little more to play for than pride, NCCU came out and made a positive season-ending statement and finished up the 2025 campaign with a solid overall record of 8-4.
Honorable Mention: Alabama State (9-2 Overall, 7-1 SWAC)
The Hornets will get to play one more game on Thanksgiving against NCAA Division II Tuskegee in the Turkey Day Classic. This will be more of a bowl game than anything else, as they fell short in the SWAC East. Alabama State had a great season and a potential win on Thursday will punctuate their 2025 success.
HBCU Flop Five
1. Morgan State (4-8 Overall, 1-4 MEAC)
Morgan State nearly upset Delaware State earlier this year and one missed field goal seemed to doom the rest of their season. Morgan State looks to rebuild next year and turn things around in the MEAC.
2. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-8 Overall, 2-6 SWAC)
Another hard season for the Lions culminated in a 44-14 loss to Alabama State last Saturday. A winter of discontent and rebuilding awaits this program.
3. Norfolk State (1-11 Overall, 0-5 MEAC)
Under first-year head coach Michael Vick, the Spartans suffered defeat after defeat this season. However, NSU played in many really close games that could have gone a different way. With some heavy recruiting and rebuilding in the off-season, the Spartans should have a better season next year.
4. Mississippi Valley State (1-10 Overall, 0-7 SWAC)
The Delta Devils still have one more chance for some sort of redemption this season with a Saturday game coming up against Florida A&M. After falling in a 59-6 blowout to Prairie View A&M, MVSU needs a shot in the arm this coming weekend to help shake some of the sting off of a forgettable 2025 season.
5. Southern University (1-10 Overall, 0-7 SWAC)
The Southern Jaguars will be happy to wrap up this chaotic season with their annual arch-rivalry game against Grambling State this coming weekend. Again, a last-minute win could help soften a rough season just a bit, but one more loss will just punctuate the futility of this year’s campaign.
Photo Credit to South Carolina State University Athletics
