No. 6 Delaware State on the road at No. 7 North Carolina Central highlights HBCU match-ups

No. 1 Tennessee State travels on the road to play (non-HBCU) Murray State. In the MEAC, No. 7 North Carolina Central hosts No. 6 Delaware State. No. 4 Alabama State, after winning the Magic City Classic last weekend, hits the road to face Prairie View A&M in SWAC competition. There is no HBCU Classic Game of the Week so we provide a bonus game featuring No. 2 Bethune-Cookman at unranked Morgan State.

By Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil and Brandon Bolden
Inside the HBCU Huddle Columnists
College Sporting News

HBCU FOOTBALL MAJOR DIVISION POLL

Week 9 – Released 10/28/12
1. Tennessee State--(8-1)
2. Bethune-Cookman--(6-2)
3. Arkansas Pine Bluff--(6-2)
4. @ Alabama State--(5-3)
5. Alabama A & M--(6-2)
6. Delaware State--(5-3)
7. North Carolina Central--(5-3)
8. Howard--(5-3)
9. Jackson State--(4-4)
10. North Carolina A&T--(4-4)
@ = TSPN & 3C 2011 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

#1 Tennessee State (8-1, 4-1) at Murray State (HWCU) (3-5, 2-3)
Murray, KY,
OVC– 1:00pmCT

The No. 1 Tennessee State Tigers look to create some space in the crowded OVC standings with a victory when they take on the Racers of Murray State University. Tennessee State nipped the Golden Eagles as they defeated Tennessee Tech by one, 22-21. Tiger QB, Michael German tied the game as time expired on a six-yard touchdown pass to A.C. Leonard which set-up the game winning extra point to lift Tennessee State pass the Golden Eagles. The Tigers offense had another balanced outing as RB, Trabis Ward ran for 129 yards on the ground and QB, Michael German passed for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Murray State is in search of a win as they hope to end their current two-game losing streak. The Racers fell just short in their last game losing to the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State, 38-35. This will be an interesting matchup and almost even in some cases but the advantage may still remain with the conference front-runners, Tennessee State, regarding the passing game. In their last matchup, Murray State had their way with the Tigers, beating Tennessee State, 58-27.

*** Game Outcome: Tennessee State (27-24)

MEAC GAME OF WEEK

#6 Delaware State (5-3, 4-1) at #7 North Carolina Central (5-3, 4-1)
Raleigh, NC, O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
–MEAC– 1:00pmCT

The No. 6 Hornets of Delaware State look to make a statement, and stay with-in a game of first place for the MEAC title with a victory, as they travel to North Carolina to take on No. 7 North Carolina Central University. The Eagles were handed their first conference loss of the season last week when they were man-handled by Bethune-Cookman, 42-17. North Carolina Central just did not have the answer for stopping the Wildcats rushing attack, allowing 164 yards by RB, Isidore Jackson. Delaware State put the sting on their last opponent, Morgan State, in an important conference matchup, as they defeated the Bears, 28-23. Quarterback, Nick Elko and the Hornets aerial assault went to work on the Bears amassing almost 400 hundred yards through the air along with two touchdowns. Both teams have favorable advantages in this matchup. Expect both of offenses to scorch the air with passing yards and scores as this game features the second ranked passing offense in the MEAC in Delaware State versus third ranked passing offense in North Carolina Central. In their last game North Carolina Central defeated the Hornets by a touchdown, 14-7.

*** Game Outcome: North Carolina Central (42-37)

MEAC Games to Watch

Hampton (2-5, 2-3) at #8 Howard (5-3, 4-2)
*** Game Outcome: Howard (Score 21-10)

Florida A&M (3-5, 3-2) at #10 North Carolina A&T State (4-4, 2-3)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina A&T State (Score 21-14)

Savannah State (1-7, 0-5) at Norfolk State (2-7, 0-6)
*** Game Outcome: Norfolk State (Score 24-14)

South Carolina State (4-5, 3-3) – Open

SWAC GAME OF WEEK

#4 Alabama State (5-3, 5-2) at Prairie View A&M (3-5, 3-3)
Prairie View, TX, Blackshear Stadium
–SWAC– 1:00pmCT

The SWAC Eastern Division leading No. 4 Alabama State University looks to make statement and keep an edge as the fight for the divisional title with a win as they travel to Pantherland to take on Prairie View A&M University. The Panthers are feeling real good about themselves after pummeling the Jaguars of Southern University, 49-29 last Saturday night. The Panthers rushing offense imposed its will on the Jaguars rushing for 247 yards on the ground. After trailing 29-28 in the third quarter, the Panthers went on an offensive spree, scoring 21 straight points. Panther QB, De’Auntre Smiley had a career day passing for four touchdowns and 398 yards while completing 29 of 38 passes. Smiley also ran for 170 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown leading to his selection as The Sports Network FCS Co-National Offensive Player of the Week. The first place Hornets were impressive in their last game as they crushed cross-state rivals Alabama A&M, 31-13 in the 71st edition of the annual Magic City Classic. Hornet QB, Greg Jenkins completed 10 of his 15 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. The Hornets run defense was stout only allowing 29 rushing yards in their last game. When looking at the statistics, Prairie View should have the advantage as they bring into this matchup their top ranked rushing offense in the SWAC and take on an Alabama State passing defense that is ranked sixth in the conference. In their last matchup, Alabama State defeated Prairie View 20-7.

*** Game Outcome: Alabama State (47-44)

SWAC Games to Watch

#3 Arkansas at Pine Bluff (6-2, 5-1) at Texas Southern (2-6, 2-4)
*** Game Outcome: Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Score 41-21)

Southern (3-5, 2-4) at #5 Alabama A&M (6-2, 5-2)
*** Game Outcome: Alabama A&M (Score 31-21)

Alcorn State (3-5, 3-3) at Mississippi Valley State (2-6, 2-4)
*** Game Outcome: Mississippi Valley State (Score 20-13)

Jackson State (4-4, 4-2) at Grambling State (1-7, 0-6)
*** Game Outcome: Jackson State (Score 24-7)

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION BONUS GAME

#2 Bethune-Cookman (6-2, 5-0) at Morgan State (3-5, 2-3)
Baltimore, MD, Hughes Stadium
–MEAC–, 12:00pmCT

Morgan State looks to turn the wheels around on their current three-game losing skid as they host the No. 2 surging Wildcats of 2 Bethune-Cookman University. The Bears woes continued last Thursday as they lost another close game, falling to Delaware State, 28-23. Morgan State’s defense showed why they are ranked dead last in the conference against the pass as Delaware State QB, Nick Elko passed for almost 400 yards and two touchdowns while completing 33 of his 43 pass attempts. The Wildcats won their fourth straight to claim sole possession of first place in the MEAC as they bruised and battered North Carolina Central, 42-17. Bethune-Cookman RB, Isidore Jackson ran wild, rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats outscored The Eagles, 28-3, in the second half. If Morgan State thought their last game was tough, their contest against the Wildcats could be worse as the Bears take on a Bethune-Cookman squad who carries the best rushing attack in the conference. The Wildcats lead the MEAC in total defense. In their last meeting, Bethune-Cookman defeated Morgan State, 49-23.

*** Game Outcome: B-CU (56-17)