The matchup between Johnson C. Smith University and Winston-Salem State University is my HBCU Game of the Week. Given the two team’s records, some may call this an easy pick. But let’s examine the game within the game.

The Teams
WSSU Rams are undefeated, while the Golden Bulls are yet to win a CIAA game and are 1-3 overall. Winston-Salem State is ranked 23rd in the nation among Division II teams for the first time in eight years. Johnson C. Smith is next to last in the CIAA Southern Division.

JCSU’s quarterback, Ryan Carter, leads the CIAA in passing yards, while Winston’s quarterback, Kameron Smith, recent rookie-of-the-week, leads the league in touchdown passes. Winston-Salem State leads the CIAA in scoring on offense and defense, while Johnson C. Smith’s passing defense has held opponents well below the 200-plus-yard average of WSSU.

JCSU has moved the game to Memorial Stadium in anticipation of a big crowd to witness its upset of WSSU. The WSSU fans are relieved that they won’t have to sit in lawn chairs on the railroad tracks of the visitors’ side at JCSU’s Irwin Belk Stadium as they watch a blowout of the Bulls.

The Coaches
Connell Maynor, in his first year as a head football coach at Winston-Salem State University, is undefeated; Steven Aycock has a record of 4-10 since taking assuming head coaching duties at Smith a season ago. It has been rumored that, at his current pace, Coach Maynor will be heading back to Division I football as a head coach (North Carolina A&T State University) within the next two seasons. Rumors also swirl around Aycock – that this may be his final season coaching at JCSU.

I doubt that either of those rumors has Coach Maynor yelling “show me the money” or Coach Aycock looking at property in his hometown of Atlanta, but this game is hugely important to both nonetheless.

My prediction
The JCSU Bulls will fight tooth-and-nail but will be out manned, out classed and out gassed as a more talented WSSU team takes a 45-14 victory.

The Bands
There will be plenty of hype at the game this weekend, but WSSU’s Red Sea of Sound, much like their football team, will let JCSU know that they are “Bad” and will take the battle of the bands as well.

Check out the WSSU Michael Jackson tribute clip below.

Finally, Let’s support the home team and go to the game – Saturday, 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

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