LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor
The last week of October begins a key stretch of the 2025 black college football season.
CIAA and SIAC teams start the final three weeks of regular season play determining who will play in their Nov. 15 championship games.After seven weeks of non-conference games, the six-member MEAC begins its five-week march to determine who will win the 2025 title and represent the league in the season-end-ing Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 13. And, the SWAC enters the final five stages of its East and West Division races to determine who the winners will be and where they will play in the Dec. 6 league title game with the winner earning a spot opposite the MEACchampion in Atlanta.
The CIAA race
Two-time defending champion Virginia Union (6-1) and Fayetteville State (4-3) are atop the standings at 4-0 in league play. Johnson C. Smith (6-1) is third at 3-1 with Virginia State (4-3)and surprising Bluefield State (3-4)fourth at 2-2.
VUU hosts Bowie State (2-5, 1-3) this week (1 p.m., CIAA Sports Network) and closes at Bluefield State on Nov. 1 and at home vs.VSU on Nov. 8. After losing its first three games and rolling to four straight wins, Fayetteville State, coming off a bye week, is on the road in Durham, N.C. Saturday (1 p.m.) to face Shaw (2-5, 2-3). The Broncos finish the season with home dates vs.JCSU (Nov. 1) and Winston-Salem State (Nov.8).
JCSU and WSSU tangle Saturday (1 p.m.,CIAASN) in Charlotte, NC. Bluefield State is at Virginia State’s homecoming Saturday (2 p.m.,CIAASN).
The SIAC race
Benedict (7-0) brings its 6-0 league mark into a showdown Saturday at home (2 p.m., ESPN+) vs. Quinn Gray’s conference co-leader and league favorite Albany State (6-1, 5-0). Benedict has only one other league game on Nov. 8 at Savannah State. Albany Statehosts Savannah State next week and closes with Fort Valley State in Columbus, Ga. on Nov. 8.
Kentucky State (6-2) is third at 5-1with its only league loss to Albany State. The Thorobreds are off this week. Edward Waters (4-3) and Morehouse (3-4) are both fourth at 3-2.
Edward Waters is at homecoming for Clark Atlanta (2-5, 1-4) Saturday (1 p.m., SIAC Network & TheGrio). Morehouse plays at homecoming (3 p.m.) at Savannah State (3-4,2-3).
The MEAC race
The MEAC race begins with three homecoming contests. Defending champion South Carolina State (4-3)is at homecoming (2 p.m., ESPN+) at Norfolk State (1-6), Delaware State (4-3) is at 5-2 North Carolina Central’s homecoming (1 p.m., ESPN+)and Morgan State (3-4) is at 3-4 Howard’s homecoming (3:30 p.m., ESPN+).
The SWAC race
Jackson State (5-1, 3-0 SWAC E) is the East Division leader as it faces rival Grambling State (4-3, 1-2) in the Las Vegas HBCU Classic at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (5 p.m.,HBCUGo.tv). West Division leader Prairie View A&M (5-2, 4-0) has non-conferenceopponent Lincoln (Ca.) in for homecoming (2p.m., SWACTV).
Alabama State (4-2), tied with Bethune-Cookman (3-4) at second in the East at 2-1, has its annualMagic City Classic showdown (2:30p.m., ESPN+)with rival Alabama A&M (4-3,1-2) in Birmingham. B-CU has its homecoming(2 p.m., SWACTV) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-4, 1-2).
Texas Southern (4-3, 2-1), second behind PV in the West, is off this week.