Under the bright lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, the famed Marching 100 of FAMU will face off against Southern University’s Human Jukebox in one of the most anticipated showdowns in the Red Lobster/ESPN Band of the Year Championship.
For the Marching 100, the path to the finals has been one of defiance and determination. When the 2025 preseason media poll ranked them fifth — a placement widely criticized as a snub — fans and alumni erupted in outrage. But through a season marked by discipline, innovation, and consistently rising rankings, the band has fought its way back into the spotlight, earning a shot to defend their title.
“Fifth? That lit a fire in every one of us,” said Jordan Miller, a junior trumpet section leader. “We knew what we were capable of. It wasn’t about proving others wrong — it was about proving ourselves right.”
The Band of the Year competition, held during the Cricket Celebration Bowl weekend, judges ensembles on musicality, drill and design, percussion, drum majors, and auxiliary units like dancers and color guard. For decades, bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities have turned halftime into art, and this matchup represents a pinnacle of that tradition.
Southern University’s Human Jukebox, known for its powerful brass and intricate choreography, presents a formidable challenge. Yet FAMU’s Marching 100 — a group with a legacy stretching back more than a century — has built its reputation on precision, showmanship, and the ability to perform under pressure.
For many, the preseason ranking wasn’t just a slight — it was a misjudgment of cultural and musical significance.
“Ranking bands will always be subjective, but placing FAMU fifth felt like disrespect to the tradition,” said Raynard Jones, Ph.D. a music historian at Clark Atlanta University. “This isn’t just entertainment. It’s musicianship at the highest level. They’ve responded not with words, but with excellence.”
The final performance will air live on ESPN, drawing millions of viewers and showcasing the vibrancy of HBCU culture to a national audience. For the students on the field, it’s more than a competition — it’s a moment of pride, legacy, and redemption.
“We’re ready,” said head drum major Oluwamodupe "Dupe" Oloyede, standing tall in her iconic uniform. “The rankings motivated us. Now it’s time to perform.”