Week Four of HBCU football brought thrilling finishes, unexpected outcomes, and numerous losses for this prognosticator. After a stellar Week Three, I experienced a downturn similar to Disney stock, but that’s the unpredictable charm of HBCU football – surprises are a given each week. Here’s hoping Week Five leads to a better track record.
In Week Four, my predictions resulted in a mixed bag with a record of 16-9, while the overall 2025 record stands at an impressive 95-24. A standout pick was correctly predicting Prairie View’s narrow 27-24 victory over Northwestern State. Conversely, my prediction of Edward Waters over Bethune-Cookman fell far short as the Wildcats won decisively, 35-9.
The highlighted game of the week features Jackson State visiting Southern. This rematch of last season’s SWAC championship game, dubbed the Boombox Classic, pits a 2-1 Jackson State against Southern, which is searching for a confidence boost. Southern’s offense is struggling, ranking low in the SWAC, while Jackson State’s defense holds top honors in the conference. The Tigers are likely to dominate in this encounter, with predictions favoring a Jackson State win of 24-13.
In the ongoing State Fair Classic, Prairie View A&M faces Grambling State, with the SWAC West potentially being decided early. Both teams seek victory, yet predictions tip Prairie View slightly ahead with a 27-26 win. Another notable clash sees Allen challenging the favored Albany State. The Yellowjackets are riding high after defeating Lane and Clark Atlanta, while Albany proved formidable against Shaw and Kentucky State. Albany is predicted to continue their winning streak with a 35-27 victory.
Alabama State is set to face Florida A&M, with Alabama entering as likely favorites. A strong defense positions them well against the struggling Rattlers, forecasting a 31-17 win for Alabama. Virginia State’s matchup with Fayetteville State promises to be competitive, featuring strong offenses on both sides. Virginia State is predicted to edge this close contest 34-31.
Looking ahead to Week Five, several intriguing matchups are scheduled. Some predicted outcomes include Delaware State triumphing over Sacred Heart, Morgan State besting Miles, Norfolk State overpowering Wagner, and South Carolina State defeating Charleston Southern. Other key predictions include North Carolina Central winning against East Texas A&M and Richmond edging out Howard.
In summary, each week of HBCU football offers exciting surprises and challenges for teams as they navigate the season. With strong performances from key players and intense matchups, the season continues to showcase the dynamic nature of HBCU football. Here’s hoping Week Five provides the redeeming outcomes needed after a challenging Week Four.