2023 Celebration Bowl Preview & Prediction: Howard vs. Florida A&M

Full preview & prediction for the 2023 Celebration Bowl between Florida A&M and Howard in Atlanta

Two teams will make their first appearance in Atlanta, Georgia for the Celebration Bowl on Saturday. Florida A&M has not appeared in a postseason bowl game since the 1995 Heritage Bowl, while Howard made its last postseason appearance in 1996. 

The MEAC leads the all-time series 6-1, including five consecutive wins over the SWAC in the Celebration Bowl. The only SWAC program to defeat the MEAC was Grambling State in 2016.

2023 Predictions Record: 88-40
2022 Predictions Record: 115-35

Howard (6-5) @ Florida A&M (11-1)

Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. CT (ABC)
Line: Florida A&M (-7)
Series History: Florida A&M leads 27-11
Last Meeting: Florida A&M won 39-9 on Nov. 16, 2019

Key Players: Howard

Quinton Williams (QB): 178 for 298 (59.7%), 2,158 Passing Yards, 16 Passing TDs, 4 INTs, 5 Rushing TDs
Jarett Hunter (RB): 133 Carries, 602 Rushing Yards, 4.5 YPC, 8 Rushing TDs
Eden James (RB): 99 Carries, 572 Rushing Yards, 5.8 YPC, 2 Rushing TDs
Kasey Hawthorne (WR): 35 Receptions, 504 Receiving Yards, 14.4 YPC, 5 Receiving TDs, 4 Rushing TDs
Kenny Gallop Jr. (DB): 65 Total Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks, 3 INTs, 3 PBUs, 2 Forced Fumbles
Darrian Brokenburr (DL): 27 Total Tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 Sacks, 3 QBHs

Key Players: Florida A&M

Jeremy Moussa (QB): 195 for 339 (57.5%), 2,604 Passing Yards, 19 Passing TDs, 8 INTs, 2 Rushing TDs
Marcus Riley (WR): 32 Receptions, 570 Receiving Yards, 17.8 YPC, 5 Receiving TDs, 261 Kick Return Yards, 1 Return TD
Jah'Marae Sheread (WR): 46 Receptions, 441 Receiving Yards, 9.6 YPC, 2 Receiving TDs, 221 Punt Return Yards
Isaiah Major (LB): 100 Total Tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 5 QBHs
Anthony Dunn Jr. (EDGE): 43 Total Tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 8 Sacks, 8 QBHs
Javan Morgan (DB): 36 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs

Howard won the first outright conference championship since 1993 as the Bison won four of the last five games of the season. A win this weekend will give the Bison the first Black College National Championship since 1996. 

Howard's offensive attack has been extremely balanced this season but is led by a dynamic rushing game that is averaging over 180 yards per game. Jarett Hunter and Eden James lead the Bison rushing attack, but it is the experienced offensive line that paves the way for the talented running back room. Offensive linemen Anim Dankwah, Da'Metrius Weatherspoon, and Darius Fox have all earned All-Conference honors. 

The true x-factor for Howard will be wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne, who can create explosive plays in a variety of ways. Hawthorne leads the Bison in receiving yards but is also a threat on creative rushing concepts. Quarterback Quinton Williams will need to be efficient against the Florida A&M secondary that has forced an interception in six consecutive games.

The defense is led by an elite secondary as Howard leads the FCS in passing defense (129.5 YPG Allowed) and has only allowed 200 passing yards once this season. All-American safety Kenny Gallop Jr. leads the unit, but Ray Williams (2 INTs) and Robert Jones III (5 PBUs) are other names to watch. Despite the success against the pass, Howard has struggled to stop the run. The Bison are currently allowing over 185 yards per game on the ground, which could be a problem against a talented Florida A&M running back room.

Florida A&M won the first SWAC Championship in school history this season in dominant fashion. The Rattlers won 10 games by 10 or more points this season, including six wins over SWAC opponents by 14 points or more. 

Speed and athleticism at the skill positions define this Florida A&M offense. Wide receivers Marcus Riley and Jah'Marae Sheread excel at generating explosive plays in space and both can be dangerous threats on special teams. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa has taken a step forward in Year 2 with the Rattlers, but will need to shine on the biggest stage in HBCU football this weekend. 

Running backs Terrell Jennings, Kelvin Dean, and Jaquez Yant will need to have big games this weekend. After finishing last in the SWAC in rushing offense last season, the Rattlers jumped to No. 6 in the conference with 143.9 yards per game on the ground. The Bison secondary could create problems for the Rattlers, but a strong rushing attack could create opportunities for Moussa to make plays down the field this weekend.

The Rattlers have been dominant defensively this season, ranking No. 2 nationally in total defense (267.0 YPG Allowed) and scoring defense (14.2 PPG Allowed). Anthony Dunn Jr. and Gentle Hunt (11 TFLs; 5.5 Sacks) will need to have massive games against an experienced Howard offensive line unit. The secondary struggled to force turnovers early in the season, but Javan Morgan and Eric Smith (3 INTs) have led the turnaround for the Florida A&M secondary that ranked third in the SWAC in interceptions (14) this season. 

This is going to be an excellent matchup in Atlanta this weekend as both teams are going to try and establish the run early to try and create some downfield opportunities for their quarterbacks. I expect Florida A&M to create some matchup problems in the open field with a talented receiver core and the Rattlers defense is going to make a handful of plays to seal the game late. 

Prediction: Florida A&M (27-23)

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