And just like that summer is over and HBCU football is back. As we begin the process of shaping our muscle memory around getting used to football on Saturdays here’s a little cheat sheet to get you through week zero and week one. This is the complete schedule of HBCU openers by conference, starting with the MEAC and the SWAC.
MEAC Week Zero
Norfolk State will take on FAMU in the season opener in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta on August 24. The game is nationally televised with a 7:30 pm start.
Delaware State travels to Hawaii for a midnight EST kickoff on August 24.
MEAC Week One
Howard visits Rutgers for a 6 pm kick on Thursday, August 29.
Saturday, Aug.31
The following games are all 6 pm EST starts:
South Carolina State at FAMU
Norfolk State at East Carolina
Delaware State at Sacred Heart
Morgan State at Hampton
The MEAC schedule rounds out with the grandaddy of HBCU football Classics, the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday, September 1 with North Carolina Central taking on Alabama State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
SWAC Week Zero
As previously mentioned, FAMU will take on Norfolk State in the season opener in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta on Aug. 24.
SWAC Week One
Thursday, Aug. 29
Jackson State travels to ULM for a 7 pm start on Thursday, August 29.
Two other Thursday games are on the SWAC slate with UAPB at Arkansas with a 7:30 pm kickoff.
Alcorn State will travel to Birmingham to take on UAB for an 8 pm start.
Saturday August 31
The week one weekend will include eight SWAC matchups, with seven of those on Saturday, August 31.
South Carolina State travels to FAMU for a 6pm start on Saturday, August 31.
Mississippi Valley State will make the trip to Nashville to take on Tennessee State in Nissan Stadium on Aug 31 at 6pm.
Bethune-Cookman visits South Florida for a 7pm kickoff.
Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M will battle in the Labor Day Classic with a 7 pm kickoff.
Alabama A&M will visit Auburn for a 7:30pm start.
Grambling faces off against Louisiana at 8pm.
Southern will be on the road at McNeese for an 8pm kickoff.
Sunday, September 1
Alabama State will take on North Carolina Central in the Orange Blossom Classic, with a 3pm EST start.
CAA
North Carolina A&T opens the season at Wake Forest on Thursday, August 29.
Hampton will open the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 hosting fellow HBCU Morgan State for a 6pm kickoff.