We are weeks away from HBCU football beginning the college football season. Here are the top storylines you need to know this year.
How will coach Vick and coach Jackson do in Year 1?
The storyline that will grab much of the attention in 2025 will be the two former Philadelphia Eagles teammates that are now MEAC head football coaches — Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson.
Will Vick and Jackson turn programs around like Deion Sanders did at Jackson State and Eddie George did at Tennessee State? Or will the two coaches struggle in year one?
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Can Jackson State go back-to-back?
There has been only one team to win consecutive Celebration Bowl titles in the game’s history — and that was North Carolina A&T, winners of three straight from 2017-19. Can Jackson State join the list of back-to-back Celebration Bowl champions?
The Tigers have the talent to do so, as quarterback Jacobian Morgan was named Preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and six other offensive players earned preseason honors.
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Will North Carolina A&T finally win some games in the CAA?
The North Carolina A&T Aggies were once a powerhouse HBCU football team. Then they left the MEAC and have since been in two different conferences struggling to find footing. NCAT joined the CAA in 2023, and in the two seasons as a member, the Aggies have won as many games — two.
It’s been an embarrassing last two years in Greensboro, so one has to wonder if this will finally be the year North Carolina A&T wins a conference game.
North Carolina doesn’t play a Division II team this year, either. Maybe I should have made the storyline “Will North Carolina A&T win A ”.
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How will Tennessee State do without Eddie George?
Former Tennessee State head coach Eddie George had the Tigers in FCS playoff contention entering the month of November for each of the last two seasons, culminating with a playoff berth in 2024. Now George has moved on to Bowling Green and in comes Reggie Barlow from the DC Defenders in the UFL.
Can Barlow continue the winning culture George left behind? Barlow’s fellow head coaches in the OVC-Big South don’t seem to think so — at least in his first year — picking Tennessee State to finish eighth (i.e. second-to-last) in the conference.
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Will the MEAC be decided on Nov. 15 in Durham?
Nov. 15, 2025. That’s the day South Carolina State visits North Carolina Central matching up the two preseason favorites to win the MEAC. The game could serve as a conference title game of sorts.
That is, unless another team in the MEAC can land an upset along the way. Until that happens, mark the 15th on your calendar.
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Has Morgan State found its quarterback yet?
Morgan State has had a championship-level defense since coach Damon Wilson took over the head coaching job back in 2022. Yet, during that time the Bears haven’t had a legitimate chance as a conference title contender because they have struggled to figure out the quarterback position.
Quarterback has been the key reason for Morgan State’s offensive struggles in past seasons, but if the position is finally fixed in 2025, Morgan State could have what it takes to win the MEAC.
How chaotic will the SWAC West be this year?
The SWAC West seems to always come down to the wire as chaos ensues and upsets happen in November to shake up the divisional race. However, entering 2025, Southern is the favorite with 120 points and 17 out of 21 first-place votes. That’s the largest margin of votes to win the SWAC West since the conference realigned divisions in 2021.
Will the Jaguars run away with the SWAC West division or will a the Wild, Wild West live up to its name?
: Recapping the 2024 HBCU football season
📲 B/R:
📚 Football History: Top MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments | Individual stars | | Recapping 2022 | Recapping 2021
Championships: Jackson State wins 2024 Celebration Bowl | Tennessee State, NC Central win tennis title | Football title history | Track champions
🏟 Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
🏀 HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
👀 March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
