Howard's ranking gap with North Carolina Central makes this one closer than it looks

Records alone suggest a near thing: Howard sits at 4-4, North Carolina Central at 3-5, and Versus projects a game decided by a single point. The ratings tell a different story. Howard checks in at No. 61 in FCS, 46 spots clear of North Carolina Central's No. 107, and carries a B- overall grade against the Eagles' D.

Howard's defense has been steady lately, not allowing more than 24 points in any of its last four games, which matters against an Eagles offense graded D+ and ranked 98th in FCS. North Carolina Central does arrive with some momentum, having just beaten Delaware St for the first time since 2024, its biggest result of the season, but that win came against a team ranked only 84th nationally, hardly a sign the Eagles have closed the gap with a club like Howard.

One wrinkle favors the home side anyway. Howard has scored noticeably better at home than on the road this season, and this game is at North Carolina Central's place. That split is part of why Versus still has the Bison favored by only a single point despite the wide gap in rank. The meeting counts in the Mid-Eastern standings, and North Carolina Central has won 9 of the last 10 in this series, a trend the numbers say is due for a correction.