North Carolina Central and Southern square off in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday, August 23, from Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and this game can be seen live on ABC.
NC Central is currently a 9.5-point favorite in the contest with a posted total of 51.5. Both of these proud HBCU programs have high expectations coming into 2025, and this should be a great showcase of HBCU football.
Here's my NC Central vs Southern prediction and college football picks for Saturday, August 23.
NC Central vs Southern Prediction
- NC Central vs Southern Pick: NC Central -9.5 (Play to -10.5)
My Southern vs NC Central best bet is on NC Central spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
NC Central vs Southern Odds
| NC Central Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -120 | 49.5 -115 / -105 | -375 |
| Southern U Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -102 | 49.5 -115 / -105 | +290 |
- NC Central vs Southern point spread: NC Central -9.5
- NC Central vs Southern over/under: 49.5 points
- NC Central vs Southern moneyline: NC Central -375, Southern +290
NC Central vs Southern Preview
NC Central Eagles Betting Preview: Eagles in for Another Strong Season
Under sixth-year head coach Trei Oliver, NC Central has a long history of success in the MEAC, including conference titles in 2022 and 2023 and a runner-up finish last season.
Walker Harris returns at quarterback after passing for 1,882 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
The Eagles have a loaded wide receiver room with Markell Quick, Chance Peterson and Chauncey Spikes returning. Mehki Wall will also take on a larger role in the receiver room after transferring in from Duke.
All five starters return along the offensive line, and this group paved the way for a successful rushing attack that averaged 180 yards per game on the ground with a 5.3 yards per carry average.
This is the top offense in the MEAC.
Defensively, the Eagles saw significant improvement under new defensive coordinator Jesse Thompson in 2024. The stop unit allowed just 3.5 yards per carry in conference play while registering 28 sacks.
The pass defense registered the No. 1 efficiency mark in FCS in 2024, allowing just 56% completions with four touchdown passes while securing 13 interceptions.
Several key pieces in the defensive secondary return for this group, and I would imagine NC Central will have another strong defensive season in the MEAC.
Southern Jaguars Betting Preview: QB Question Key for Jaguars
Southern University comes in after a 9-5 season that saw it play for the SWAC Championship for the second time in three seasons. This group found momentum during the back end of its schedule, feasting on weaker SWAC competition while routinely locking in with an excellent pass defense.
The 2025 version of the Jaguars will need to develop a more robust passing attack if they're going to challenge NC Central in this contest — and if they want to remain a big player in the SWAC.
Southern U has remained coy over who will start the season at quarterback after Cam'Ron McCoy transferred in from Jackson State to battle with incumbent Jalen Woods.
This will be an important decision, one that will have implications on the entire season for Southern. That's especially true since it struggled to pass the ball and protect the quarterback last season.
Both quarterbacks vying for the job have primarily served as backups in prior seasons, so whoever wins will have a lot put on their shoulders for the first time.
The Jaguars return two of their top receivers from last season in Dupree Fuller and Darren Morris, and Xavier Franks transfers in from Southern Mississippi to provide additional support.
Running back appears to be by committee, as the Jaguars could split carries with as many as four ball carriers, which is what they did last season.
The offensive line has experience and looks to build on its success with four starters back from last season, along with Presbyterian transfer Malachi Bingham.
Defensively, Southern was one of the stronger bunches in the SWAC last season, allowing just 300 total yards per game while registering 35 sacks. Ckelby Givens anchors the defensive line and brings his 73 tackles and 12 sacks from last year back alongside Zac Yassine.
The linebacker room has Vincent Page returning, and this unit has solid depth pieces returning from 2024.
While the secondary performed well for Southern last season, I would like to consider the competition faced in the back half of the schedule, as the SWAC is primarily composed of inept quarterbacks operating run-heavy offensive platoons.
NC Central vs Southern Pick, Betting Analysis
I'm betting NC Central in this showdown at any number -10.5 or better.
The Eagles have better talent top to bottom and a much more explosive offense. I'll need to see some progression from the Southern U pass game before I want to buy into this group being able to contend against a defensive bunch as talented as NC Central.
Without an effective pass attack, I can see the Eagles stacking an extra defender in the box, plugging up the run lanes and forcing Southern U quarterbacks to make tough contested throws.
Last year was a quarterback carousel for Southern, and I could see both quarterbacks having short leashes here if things aren't going well. That could cause this one to go sideways for the Jaguars in the second half, and that's when I expect NC Central to pull away and win by 14-17.
Pick: NC Central -9.5 (Play to -10.5)
