The Setup: Saturday, Nov. 15 | 1 P.M. | Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE
This one's personal. Howard and Delaware State have been trading punches for nearly two decades, and the Bison hold an 8-7 edge in the all-time series. But momentum? That belongs to the Hornets right now.
Howard (4-6, 1-2 MEAC) limps into Dover on a two-game losing streak, coming off back-to-back conference beatdowns—35-14 to North Carolina Central and 42-12 at South Carolina State. The Bison started the season 4-2 with eye-catching neutral-site wins over Florida A&M, Morehouse, and Hampton, but they've been exposed on the road, going 0-5 away from home.
Delaware State (7-3, 3-0 MEAC), meanwhile, is rolling. Winners of four straight, including gutsy road victories at Morgan State (14-12) and North Carolina Central (35-26), the Hornets are undefeated in conference play and sitting pretty atop the MEAC standings. They've been physical, opportunistic, and clutch in tight games—exactly what you need in November football.
What's at Stake
For Delaware State, this is about staying perfect in MEAC play and keeping pace for a potential conference championship. A win here puts them at 4-0 in league action with one game left against South Carolina State. They control their own destiny.
For Howard, it's pride and survival. The Bison need to show they can compete on the road in conference play. They've already lost two MEAC games, so their path to the title is all but closed. But a win here—especially against a surging rival—could provide a springboard heading into next week's rivalry finale against Norfolk State at Audi Field.
History favors Howard slightly, including a dominant 38-0 shutout in last year's meeting. But this isn't last year's Delaware State team.
Recent Form Tells the Tale
Howard's issues are glaring: they can't win away from home, and they've been non-competitive in their last two road conference games, giving up 77 combined points. The early-season magic—tight victories over FAMU (10-9) and a blowout of Morehouse (38-10) in front of huge neutral-site crowds—feels like a distant memory.
Delaware State, on the other hand, has shown grit. They've won close games (27-20 over Norfolk State, 14-12 at Morgan State) and blown teams out (70-23 over Southern Connecticut State). Their only losses came to FCS playoff-caliber teams (Delaware, Sacred Heart) and a shootout at Monmouth. This is a battle-tested squad playing its best ball right now.
What Delaware State Must Do
The Hornets need to control the clock and impose their will physically. They've been at their best when they dictate tempo, keep opposing offenses off the field, and win in the trenches. Against a struggling Howard defense that's given up big numbers in back-to-back games, DSU must establish the run early and set up play-action opportunities.
On defense, the Hornets have to generate pressure and force turnovers. Howard's offense has been inconsistent, especially on the road, and Delaware State needs to capitalize on mistakes. Creating short fields for their offense will be critical.
Strengths to lean on: DSU's balanced attack has been their calling card all season. They've shown the ability to run or throw depending on what the defense gives them, and their defense has been opportunistic in key moments. At home, where they're 3-0 this season, they've been dominant. That crowd at Alumni Stadium matters.
What Howard Must Do
The Bison need to stop beating themselves with turnovers and mental mistakes. In their two-game skid, they've been overwhelmed, and self-inflicted wounds have compounded the damage. Clean football is non-negotiable if they want to have a chance.
Offensively, Howard must find a way to move the ball consistently and finish drives in the red zone. They've been shut down in recent weeks, and going 0-5 on the road suggests they struggle when the environment turns hostile. Establishing any kind of rhythm early will be crucial.
Defensively, the Bison have to shore up their run defense and limit explosive plays. Delaware State will test them on the ground, and if DSU gets rolling, it's going to be a long afternoon in Dover.
Strengths to lean on: Howard's best football this season came in those neutral-site wins, where they played with confidence and made big plays. They have playmakers who can flip a game with one play. Special teams could also be a weapon—creating short fields or flipping field position could give them a fighting chance.
The Bottom Line
Delaware State is the better team right now. They're healthier, hotter, and playing at home. Howard has shown flashes this season, but those flashes have all come in controlled, neutral environments. On the road, they've been overmatched.
If the Bison can't fix their road woes and play clean football, this one could get ugly. But if they show up with the same energy they brought to MetLife and Audi Field earlier this year, they've got a puncher's chance.
Prediction: Delaware State 31, Howard 17. The Hornets stay perfect in MEAC play and move to 8-3 overall. Howard's road struggles continue, and they head into rivalry week searching for answers.
