The long wait for the start of the 2025 HBCU football season is finally over, as we have now reached the first full weekend of games.
Among the most exciting games taking place during the opening weekend are a highly anticipated coaching debut, the renewal of a fierce SWAC rivalry, and a clash between defending conference champions.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 1 of the HBCU football season.
Norfolk State vs. Towson
Date: August 28; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPNU
Week one of the HBCU football season, with a Thursday doubleheader, will see the long-awaited head coaching debuts of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson.
While Delaware State will get its season started in an in-state matchup with the University of Delaware while Norfolk State will be on their home field, clashing against Towson.
Norfolk State vs. Towson gets the nod in this entry, as their series has been much more competitive than Delaware State-Delaware.
The Spartans have split their last two meetings with Towson, claiming a 21-14 win in 2023 and falling 28-23 last season.
This will be a significant test for Vick in his coaching debut and a barometer for the Spartans in their goal of competing in the MEAC.
Howard vs. Florida A&M
Date: August 30; Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPNU
Officially entering the weekend, Florida A&M returns to the Orange Blossom Classic after a year away, facing off against former MEAC rival Howard on national television.
This will be the first matchup between FAMU and Howard since the 2023 Celebration Bowl, in which the Rattlers came away with a 30-26 victory.
Both teams come into this game after down seasons in 2024, finishing with records of 7-5 and 4-8, respectively.
In addition to getting their 2025 seasons started on a strong note, both teams are aiming to get themselves back in their respective conference championship picture.
Prairie View A&M vs. Texas Southern
Date: August 30; Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch SWAC TV
Prairie View A&M looks to get itself back in the win column against Texas Southern when they travel to Houston for the Labor Day Classic.
Last season, Texas Southern ended a nine-game losing streak against Prairie View, securing their largest margin of victory (18 points) over the Panthers since 2003.
Prairie View A&M has not lost consecutive games in its Labor Day Classic series against Texas Southern since snapping a 15-game losing streak in 2003.
Despite a frantic offseason last year, the Tigers managed to finish with a 4-4 conference record, including ending the season with back-to-back wins.
They will be contending with a Prairie View A&M that will be welcoming in new head coach Tremaine Jackson, also a former Texas Southern football player, in their quest for a third SWAC West division championship since 2021.
Virginia Union vs. Miles
Date: August 31; Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: NFL Network
The Black College Football Hall of Fame will see a matchup of the reigning CIAA champion, Virginia Union Panthers, play the reigning SIAC champion, Miles Golden Bears.
The 2024 season was historic for Virginia Union, not only winning a second straight CIAA title, but advancing to the Regional Final of the Division II playoffs.
In what will be their first game in the post-Jada Byers era, the Panthers begin the chase for a three-peat, something the CIAA has not seen in three consecutive years since Hampton from 1992-1994 (Bowie State won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, then again in 2021).
Meanwhile, Miles is entering the post-Sam Shade era after the reigning SIAC Coach of the Year took his talents to the SWAC, becoming the next head coach at Alabama A&M.
Now with Chris Goode at the helm, the Golden Bears aim to become the first repeat champion in the SIAC since they did it in 2019.
Winston-Salem State vs. Tuskegee
Date: August 31; Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPNU
Ending the first full weekend of HBCU football is the Red Tails Classic between respective Division II sleeper teams, Winston-Salem State and Tuskegee.
In the first inter-conference Red Tails Classic matchup, Tuskegee came up short, falling 21-13 to Johnson C. Smith.
Two historic programs in Division II HBCU football, this will be their first time playing each other since 2019, when WSSU won 23-20.
For the first time since 2018, the Rams finished a season with a record above .500, posting a 7-3 overall mark in 2024.
They begin their hopeful ascent up the ladder against a Tuskegee team that is hoping to recover from a disappointing 2024 season in which they put up a 5-6 overall record.
