It’s time once again for the Florida Classic and one of the oldest rivalries in college football: Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman.
The two first met in 1925 and have faced off in Orlando each year since 1997. FAMU (5-5, 4-2 in SWAC) has won four in a row in the series and four out of their past five games this season. The Rattlers’ last win was a 26-23 squeaker over Alabama A&M when quarterback RJ Johnson III threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
B-CU (5-6, 4-3) enters on a two-game losing skid, most recently a 28-13 decision at Jackson State. The Wildcats had a shot to tie the game late, but Cam’Ron Ransom threw his second interception of the game for an 82-yard pick-six. The QB accounted for 69 of the team’s 75 rushing yards.
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Here’s when the Rattlers and Wildcats square off this week.
FAMU football schedule: Florida A&M’s next game
FAMU plays Bethune-Cookman on Saturday in their Week 13 game. The game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ with the ESPN Select or Unlimited plan.
What time is FAMU vs Bethune-Cookman?
The Rattlers and Wildcats kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
FAMU vs BCU prediction
Bethune-Cookman boasts the No. 4 offense in the SWAC (404 yards per game) but the worst defense (439 ypg). Wide receiver Maleek Huggins ranks third in the conference with 808 yards and second with seven touchdowns, so containing him will be key if FAMU wants to make it five straight Florida Classic wins. He went off for 177 yards on seven catches with a TD in the 2024 rivalry game.
This is a showdown between the top two passing offenses in the SWAC. FAMU’s pass defense ranks middle of the pack (215.4 ypg), so if they can hold up on their end, it should be enough to let RJ Johnson run up the score in Orlando. Prediction: FAMU 35, B-CU 28
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: When is FAMU football vs Bethune-Cookman? Time, date, TV, prediction for Florida Classic
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
