The Howard Bison take on the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Florida A&M is slated as a short 6.5-point favorite in the game with a total set at 48.5.
Here’s my Howard vs Florida A&M predictions and college football picks for Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Howard vs Florida A&M Prediction
- Howard vs Florida A&M Pick: Florida A&M -6.5
My Howard vs Florida A&M best bet is on the Rattlers spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Howard vs Florida A&M Odds
| Howard Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | +172 |
| Florida A&M Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | -210 |
- Howard vs Florida A&M point spread: Florida A&M -6.5
- Howard vs Florida A&M over/under: 48.5 points
- Howard vs Florida A&M moneyline: Howard +172, Florida A&M -210
Howard vs Florida A&M Preview
Howard Bison Betting Preview: Trouble on Defense
Howard comes in off a disappointing 4-8 season in which the offense really struggled to get going the majority of the way.
Ja’Shawn Scroggins stepped into a tough situation at quarterback, and he played admirably. Frequently, he was back there taking a pounding, but he never backed down and ended up also being Howard’s second-leading rusher on the season.
The skill positions are down a notch, and Howard only has one returning starter along the offensive line.
I don’t see the Bison being very potent offensively this season unless unproven and unknown talent were to wow the MEAC.
Howard fired it defensive coordinator after last season and promoted defensive backs coach Kyshoen Jarrett to try to retool a struggling defense that was shredded by the top teams in the MEAC last season.
The defensive line is considered the strength, but the Bison will be relying on rotational players — along with San Diego State transfer Keion Mitchell — to step up.
The back seven is inexperienced, and I could see Howard getting toasted in the pass department with young players being caught out of position routinely.
Florida A&M Rattlers Betting Preview: Bounce Back in Order?
Florida A&M is coming off a disappointing 7-5 season in which the Rattlers could never really build enough consistency on either side of the ball to be a major player in the SWAC.
We saw this group go toe-to-toe with South Carolina State out of the MEAC and completely dominate Southern University. We also saw the Rattlers lose outright against Mississippi Valley State as 33-point home favorites.
The lack of continuity was concerning given that all the right levers were being pulled in a 12-1 2023 campaign that saw the Rattlers crowned SWAC Champions.
I'd chalk it up to growing pains in year one for James Colzie III.
The 2025 version of Florida A&M football should be improved, and it'll have plenty of options at quarterback with four players transferring in, headlined by Tyler Jefferson and RJ Johnson III, who were both in the MAC last year.
The offensive line returns experienced contributors and sees former Rutgers offensive lineman Mozell Williams enter via the portal.
The offense has potential to be better and more consistent.
Defensively, the Rattlers do lose some experience, but we see three ACC players transfer in on the defensive line. If Xavier Perkins and DJ Jones can live up to the billing, this defensive line could be nasty.
The linebacker core sees returnees Nay’Ron Jenkins and Jerome Nichols back for 2025, and Anthony Rosier figures to factor after transferring in from App State.
The secondary is experienced and four players were added from FBS, strengthening an already solid pass coverage unit.
Howard vs Florida A&M Pick, Betting Analysis
I'm going to lay it here with FAMU -6.5.
The Rattlers have better players and stronger interior line play. I would expect that we see multiple quarterbacks in this one, even with Johnson recently getting the nod as the starter. His athleticism will be key here.
I would expect him to be able to step up and get yardage with his legs and break down this Howard defense. Howard struggled all year last year facing mobile quarterbacks, and we saw it shred Hampton, South Carolina State and NC Central last season.
There's going to be rain in the forecast for Saturday afternoon, and I don’t suspect Howard will be able to run the football with a weak offensive line.
The pass offense efficiency numbers for the Bison were so weak last season. Just 55% of their passes were completed, and they gave up sacks on 9.4% of dropbacks.
I expect FAMU to put the head on Scroggins, who's prone to turnover worthy plays.
Timely turnovers will be the key here in FAMU getting the win in the Orange Blossom Classic.
Pick: Florida A&M -6.5
