It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — starting with one of the more underrated games that happens each and every season:
2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl
Matchup: South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Ga.
TV: ABC
Game Overview
The Cricket Celebration Bowl carries more significant than the majority of these postseason matchups we’ll talk about — as it has served as the de facto HBCU National Championship, pitting the champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) against each other on a national stage. HBCU football is notoriously full of parity, with five different schools — Jackson State (2024), Florida A&M (2023), North Carolina Central (2022), South Carolina State (2021) and North Carolina A&T (2019) — taking home the crown each of the last five seasons.
Team Overviews
South Carolina State Bulldogs
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: Chennis Berry
Record: 9–3 (MEAC Champion)
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South Carolina State has been one of the more consistent teams in the MEAC, carrying an explosive passing attack that ranked seventh in total passing yards (3,432) among teams in the FCS. William Atkins IV ranks second in the conference in passing yards (2,323) and passing touchdowns (17) this season — leading to his selection to the All-MEAC second team and an invitation to the 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl — after transferring in from playoff-bound James Madison.
Jordan Franklin and Mike Lunz lead the way defensively, with the unit ranking fifth in defensive third-down conversion percentage (.305) and fourth in red-zone defense (.704) across the FCS — which means they tighten up when needed.
The Bulldogs enter this matchup determined to avenge their loss to Jackson State in 2024, giving them their second “national championship” in school history.
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Prairie View A&M Panthers
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Tremaine Jackson
Record: 10–3 (SWAC Champion)
Prairie View A&M is relatively new to the spotlight, having won the SWAC just twice since 1964 (2009, 2025) as they make their debut in the Celebration Bowl.
Jyzaiah Rockwell is the best wide receiver in the SWAC, leading the conference in receptions (68) and ranking second in receiving yards (1,084). Chase Bingmon ranks third in the conference in total rushing yards (880). Trevor Randle, Kamren Amao and Kennedy Parker lead the way on defense, with the unit ranking first in defensive third-down conversion percentage (.292) and passing yards allowed per game (128.5), and third in total defense (267.5) in the FCS.
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The Panthers have grown exponentially as a program over the last several seasons, and look to cap things off with their very first bowl win.
Players to Watch
South Carolina State
QB William Atkins IV
WR Jordan Smith
TE Cyrus Ellison
OL Roger Smith
OL James Reddick II
OL Chevy Trask Jr.
DL Michael Lunz II
LB Jordan Franklin
DB Jarod Washington
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Prairie View A&M
RB Chase Bingmon
WR Jyzaiah Rockwell
TE Travon Jones
OL Calvin McMillian
DL Malik Gucake
DB Eric Zachery
DB Travor Randle
Key Notes
South Carolina State and Prairie View A&M will both enter this matchup at relative full strength, with neither having any players enter the transfer portal.
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Chennis Berry (MEAC) and Tremaine Jackson (SWAC) both took home coach of the year honors in their respective conferences, with the former doing so in his second season at the helm and the latter doing so in his first.
Betting Lines
N/A
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The Pick: Prairie View A&M
