One HBCU football question for every team down the stretch

Five regular season weeks remain in the regular season, with one more week after Thanksgiving in the HBCU football slate. With the season entering the home stretch, here are questions facing each FCS HBCU.

Alabama A&M — Will the Bulldogs win the Magic City Classic?

Alabama A&M hasn't won a Magic City Classic game since 2021. At 3-3 entering the game, a win could carry momentum through the rest of the season.

Alabama State — Can the Hornets launch back into the SWAC title race?

Alabama State plays Jackson State on Nov. 16. If the Hornets win that game while winning every other game combined with Jackson State winning out in every game outside of a loss to Alabama State, there could be a three-way tie atop the SWAC East.

Alcorn State — Can the Braves get some help?

Alcorn State no longer controls its own destiny in the SWAC West. It'll need Southern to lose two games for it to take back sole possession of first place in the division.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff — Can JaVonnie Gibson be an All-American?

Wide receiver JaVonnie Gibson leads the SWAC with 44 catches, 1,022 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He looks like he'll finish with the conference's receiving triple crown, and he also leads the nation in receiving yards and is second in receiving touchdowns. Gibson could be an All-American if he keeps up his numbers.

Bethune-Cookman — Can it win the Florida Classic?

Bethune-Cookman hasn't won the Florida Classic since 2019. Another loss would give Florida A&M its longest streak in the series since 2001. 

Delaware State — Can Delaware State shake up the Celebration Bowl race with an upset or two?

While I don't think DSU can win the MEAC, I think it is definitely capable of landing an upset. If the Hornets pull it off in a game or two, they could change who's representing the conference in Atlanta.

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Florida A&M — Can the Rattlers continue to 'Bragg Different?'

Florida A&M is on the outside looking in for the SWAC East division, but there is still much to play for. The Rattlers have the second-longest home win streak in the FCS at 21 games — only three games behind South Dakota State. With three home games left, FAMU has a chance to extend the streak into 2025.

Grambling State — Can the Tigers win out until at least the Bayou Classic?

Grambling State is two plays away from being undefeated in SWAC play. This is a good HBCU football team. However, the Tigers will need some help if they want to play for a conference title. The first step will be helping themselves by winning out to set up a potential divisional championship game in the Bayou Classic.

Hampton — Can Hampton finish with a winning record?

The Pirates haven't had a winning record since leaving MEAC in 2017 (not counting 2018's independent schedule filled with non-DI opponents).

Howard — Can Howard figure out the quarterback position?

Quinton Williams is long gone and Howard has struggled to find a stable replacement. Ja'Shawn Scroggins is only completing 50% of his passes and Jaylon Tolbert has thrown three interceptions to four touchdowns.

Jackson State — Can Jackson State win the Celebration Bowl?

The winner of the Jackson State-Florida A&M game has won the SWAC in the last three seasons. Jackson State won that game, so now its sights should be set on the Celebration Bowl, even with a lot of schedule left to play.

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Mississippi Valley State — Can the Delta Devils win a game?

For as bad as the Mississippi Valley State program has been, it hasn't gone winless since the 2021 spring season. Before that, the Delta Devils haven't gone winless since 2010 (not counting seasons with vacated wins). Already at 0-7, a winless season would be a new low.

North Carolina A&T — Will the Aggies win a Division I game?

North Carolina A&T's only win, so far, has been against DII rival Winston-Salem State. Will the Aggies avoid back-to-back one-win seasons?

North Carolina Central — Can NC Central avoid an upset in MEAC play? 

Last year, NCCU was the favorite and ranked in the FCS before losing to Howard. Can the Eagles avoid a similar fate as they enter the remaining conference slate under similar circumstances?

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Norfolk State — Can Norfolk State figure out how to win close games?

Norfolk State is 1-3 in games decided by one possession in 2024. That record was 2-4 in 2023. In a competitive MEAC, winning close games matters and it could be the difference for the Spartan program.

Prairie View A&M — Can the Panthers salvage their season with some late wins?

Prairie View A&M's season can already be called a failure after falling to 1-3 in conference play, with three losses in the SWAC West. However, wins in November can still bring hope after a dismal start.

South Carolina State — Can Chennis Berry carry over his success from Benedict?

Chennis Berry led Benedict to undefeated regular season records and the playoffs during his last two seasons as coach. Now at South Carolina State, he has the Bulldogs looking like the biggest threat to knock off favorite North Carolina Central from a potential MEAC throne. 

Southern — Will Southern win the SWAC West?

Southern is 3-0 in SWAC play so far, with a tiebreaker over SWAC West foe Alcorn State. That gives the Jaguars wiggle room to lose a game and still make the conference title game, but two losses might be too much to overcome.

Tennessee State — Can the Tigers finish the season strong and make a playoff push?

Tennessee State just got ranked in the STATS Perform Poll for the first time since 2017. The Tigers were 6-2 entering last November before losing their final three games. Can TSU make the playoff after a 6-2 start in 2024?

Texas Southern — Can MJ Hinson finish as the best DB in the SWAC?

Cornerback MJ Hinson leads the SWAC in pass breakups and his three interceptions rank second in the conference. Hinson also has a pick-six on the year. If he leads the conference in the stats for the rest of the season, he'll have an argument as the best DB.