THE HILL | The 2026 college football season is finally here as Alabama A&M University opens the year on the national stage against Howard University in the 20th Annual Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday night in Atlanta.
 
Kickoff against the Bison is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Center Parc Stadium, with the game televised nationally on ABC.
 
Saturday's game marks just the second meeting between the two programs and the first since 1992. The MEAC holds a 12-7 all-time record in the annual event, despite the SWAC winning three of the past four matchups.
 
Alabama A&M went 4-8 last season after jumping out to a 3-1 mark in non-conference play. The Bulldogs finished the 2025 campaign 1-7 in SWAC play and were picked fifth in the conference's preseason predicted order of finish.
 
Howard also got off to a strong start in 2025, opening the season 3-1 before finishing 5-7. The Bison went 2-3 in conference play and were predicted to finish sixth this season.
 
The game will air live on ABC with Tiffany Greene (play-by-play), Jay Walker (analyst) and Quint Kessenich (sideline) on the call. Fans can also tune in to WJAB 90.9 FM, where Chauncy Sanders (play-by-play), Brian Howard (analyst) and Maurice Brooks (analyst) will bring listeners all the action.
 
ABOUT THE GAME

• Alabama A&M and Howard will meet for the second time
• The Bulldogs last appeared in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in 2014, falling 47-13 to North Carolina A&T State
• The Bison most recently appeared in the annual game in 2022, suffering a 23-13 setback to Alabama State
• Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade enters his second season, while Howard head coach Ted White begins his first season

 
BULLDOGS AT A GLANCE

• Alabama A&M looks to reverse a recent trend as the Bulldogs have not won at a neutral site since a 42-28 victory over Alabama State in the 2021 Magic City Classic
• The Bulldogs are looking to snap an eight-game losing streak at neutral-site venues
• Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV, who has appeared in 43 career games, returns for another season and heads back to where his collegiate career began — Georgia State University
• Linebacker Wyatt Wright was named to the 2026 Deacon Jones Player of the Year watch list
• Kicker David Faulk earned BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-American honors
• The Bulldogs made a pair of coaching changes during the offseason. Jamaal Fobbs joins Dennis Alexander as co-offensive coordinators, while Ty Martin will serve as running backs coach
• Alabama A&M's September schedule keeps the Bulldogs close to home. AAMU leaves the state just once during the month, traveling to Florida A&M for its conference opener on Sept. 26

 
BISON AT A GLANCE

• Saturday's game marks the beginning of the Ted White era at Howard
• Kedrick Green returns after recording 60 total tackles, including 44 solo stops, last season and was named to the FCS National Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
• Defensive back Kedrick Green earned several preseason honors, including spots on the Deacon Jones Player of the Year and Aeneas Williams Award watch lists
• The Bison will face two Big Ten opponents this season, including a Sept. 12 matchup against defending national champion Indiana

 
SERIES HISTORY

• Alabama A&M and Howard will meet for just the second time
• The Bison won the inaugural matchup, 28-7, in 1992 in Huntsville, Alabama
• Both programs are seeking their first victory in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge

 
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

• Alabama A&M must protect the line of scrimmage
• The Bulldogs need to win the turnover battle
• AAMU must limit penalties and avoid costly mistakes

 
LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT

• Alabama A&M begins a stretch of three consecutive home games on Sept. 5
• The Bulldogs will play host to Miles College in the 16th Annual Louis Crews Classic
• The Maroon and White are 11-4 in the annual game and enter this year's matchup riding a three-game winning streak
• AAMU is 18-3 all-time against Miles, with the Golden Bears' last victory in the series coming in 1995
• Louis Crews Classic weekend features several activities, including the Coach's Breakfast and Johnny Gill concert on Friday, followed by the game on Saturday

 
HOME TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the upcoming season. To purchase tickets, visit aamusports.com or call the ticket office at 256-372-7255 or 256-372-7254.
 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – The Rocket City's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).