FCS football season preview: Players to watch, potential upsets and more
In HBCU football, a "classic" matchup has been a premier event for decades. These classics often see rivals play head-to-head and carry historical value. Fans, players, alumni and more all get excited for these games.
In 2022, there are over 20 classics that feature at least one HBCU team from the FCS level. Below, we'll provide the scheduling information for these classic games, plus a few additional headliner HBCU football matchups, including the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl for instance.
That said, here is every HBCU classic scheduled for 2022:
| CLassic | matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEAC/SWAC Challenge | Alabama State vs. Howard | Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta, GA |
| Battle of the Real HU | Howard at Hampton | Sept. 3 | 6 p.m. | Hampton, VA |
| Labor Day Classic | Miles at Alabama State | Sept. 3 | 6 p.m. | Montgomery, AL |
| Labor Day Classic | Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M | Sept. 3 | 7 p.m. | Prairie View, TX |
| Pete Richardson Classic | Florida Memorial at Southern | Sept. 3 | 7 p.m. | Baton Rouge, LA |
| Duke's Mayo Classic (Aggie-Eagle Classic) |
North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T | Sept. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Charlotte, NC |
| Orange Blossom Classic | Florida A&M vs. Jackson State | Sept. 4 | 3 p.m. | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Southern Heritage Classic | Jackson State vs. Tennessee State | Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | Memphis, TN |
| Jake Gaither Classic | Albany State at Florida A&M | Sept. 10 | 6 p.m. | Tallahassee, FL |
| Battle for Greater Baltimore | Morgan State at Towson | Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | Towson, MD |
| Battle of the Bay | Hampton at Norfolk State | Sept. 17 | 2 p.m. | Norfolk, VA |
| W.C. Gorden Classic | Grambling State at Jackson State | Sept. 17 | 2 p.m. | Jackson, MS |
| HBCU New York Football Classic |
Morehouse vs. Howard | Sept. 17 | 3 p.m. | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Louis Crews Classic | Austin Peay at Alabama A&M | Sept. 17 | 3 p.m. | Huntsville, AL |
| Arlington Football Showdown | Southern vs. Texas Southern | Sept. 17 | 5 p.m. | Arlington, TX |
| John Merritt Classic | Lane vs. Tennessee State | Oct. 1 | 2 p.m. | Nashville, TN |
| State Fair Classic | Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M | Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | Dallas, TX |
| Truth & Service Classic | Harvard at Howard | Oct. 15 | TBA | Washington, D.C. |
| St. Louis River City HBCU Football Classic |
Alabama A&M vs. Arkanas-Pine Bluff | Oct. 16 | 4 p.m. | St. Louis, MO. |
| BoomBox Classic | Southern at Jackson State | Oct. 29 | 2 p.m. | Jackson, MS |
| Magic City Classic | Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State | Oct. 29 | 3:30 p.m. | Birmingham, AL |
| Soul Bowl — Capital City Classic |
Jackson State at Alcorn State | Nov. 19 | 3 p.m. | Lorman, MS |
| Florida Classic | Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M | Nov. 19 | TBA | Orlando, FL |
| Turkey Day Classic | Arkansas Pine-Bluff at Alabama State | Nov. 24 | 3 p.m. | Montgomery, AL |
| Bayou Classic | Grambling State vs. Southern | Nov. 26 | 2 p.m. | New Orleans, LA |
| SWAC Championship | TBD | Dec. 3 | 4 p.m. | TBD |
| Celebration Bowl | TBD | Dec. 17 | 12 p.m. | Atlanta, GA |
