November 14th, 2025 7:00am
I have been immersed in the world of NCAA Division II football for almost 30 years. In that time, I don’t believe we've had a single day in the regular season with more at stake that what is on the schedule this Saturday.
Only four of the 16 conferences that sponsor football in Division II have an official conference championship game, but there are five others that have a head-to-head matchup this weekend that will determine outright or shared claims to a conference championship, and the league’s automatic bid to the playoffs. Let’s take a look at those games and then take a tour around the country to see what else demands our attention.
Conference championship games
PSAC Championship: Kutztown (10-0) v. IUP (7-2)
The PSAC championship kicks off at noon, eastern from Andre Reed Stadium in Kutztown. The Golden Bears are playing for a third straight PSAC title. There hasn’t been a threepeat champion in the PSAC since Slippery Rock did it in 1972-1974. For more on this game, check out my PSAC Championship Preview . Coverage of this game is on the PSAC Digital Network, which is free to all viewers.
CIAA Championship: Virginia Union (9-1) v. Johnson C. Smith (9-1)
Virginia Union is seeking a third straight CIAA Championship game victory. Johnson C. Smith is in the title game for the first time since 1972. The Golden Bulls’ only loss this season was to Virginia Union (28-10) back in week four. Watch for VUU running back Curtis Allen who is the clear front-runner for the Harlon Hill Award. He leads the nation in total rushing yards, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns (all by big margins). This game is being held at a neutral site in Durham, North Carolina. The winner makes the playoffs with the CIAA’s auto bid and should be a first round host. The loser should also be in the field.
SIAC Championship: Albany State (9-1) v. Benedict (9-1)
Albany State beat Benedict 31-3 on Oct. 25. That result is Benedict’s only loss this season. Albany State’s only loss was to FCS Florida A&M. The Golden Rams are currently second in the Super Region Two standings while Benedict is fourth. Both are well positioned to be in the post season regardless of Saturday’s outcome. This game is being played at Albany State’s home stadium with coverage on ESPN+.
Conf. Carolinas: UNC Pembroke (8-2) v. North Greenville (6-4)
North Greenville is the only team undefeated in conference play and that includes a 20-7 win over the Braves on Oct. 18. The Trailblazers have the better league record and the home field advantage, but their only path to the post season is to win this game and the automatic bid. At 6-4 entering the game, there is no chance of surviving a loss and making the field. UNC Pembroke is currently 6th in the SR2 standings and may be able to sneak in even with a loss, but it’s not a certainty. Coverage is available on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network, which is free to all viewers.
Five more games with championships on the line
None these five games are official conference championships, but for all practical purposes, they are. The winners of these head-to-head matchups earn their conference’s automatic bid to the playoffs and outright or shared ownership of the league championship.
GLVC: Indianapolis (9-1) v. Upper Iowa (8-2)
UIndy enters this weekend one game ahead of Upper Iowa and Truman State in the standings. They can win the outright league championship with a win on Saturday and claim the bid to the playoffs. If Upper Iowa can upset the Greyhounds, they will earn a share of the GLVC Championship for the first time ever. The Peacocks have already set a new program record for wins in a season since joining Division II.
LSC: Central Washington (9-1) v. Western Oregon (8-2)
Central Washington enters the matchup with their old GNAC foe as the only team unbeaten in Lone Star Conference play (8-0). But Western Oregon is right behind at 7-1. That makes this a winner-take-all bout for the right to go to the playoffs. Central Washington is currently 2nd in the SR4 standings and will comfortably make the field even with a loss. Western Oregon is 7th but even with a loss, will be better or equal on record to the teams behind, and have a critical head to head advantage over UTPB.
GSC: West Florida (9-0) v. Valdosta State (5-4)
If one game illustrates just how much the automatic bids for conference champions has reshaped the last few weeks of the season, it's this one. On Saturday night Valdosta State will either be celebrating a conference title and a trip to the playoffs, or will be packing up the equipment after a disappointing 5-5 season. The delta between those two outcomes is wild. West Florida has been the best team in SR2 all year but Valdosta State has won three in a row over quality opponents. Coverage of this game will be on FloCollege.
RMAC: CSU Pueblo (9-1) v. Chadron State (8-2)
Both teams enter this contest at 8-0 in RMAC play, making this a winner-take-all for the league championship and auto bid to the playoffs. The Eagles started the season 0-2 but both losses were out of conference and one was to an FCS opponent. They have won eight in a row. Both teams are coming off thrilling overtime wins. The Eagles upset Western Colorado at home in OT, while the Thunderwolves rallied to beat Colorado Mines in OT. The winner will likely be a seeded team and host a first round game. The loser will most likely be unseeded, but in the field. Coverage will be on the RMAC Network.
MIAA: Northwest Missouri State (9-1) v. Pittsburg State (8-2)
The Bearcats already own at least a share of the MIAA championship and can stake a full claim with a win over their old rival on Saturday. Pitt State can do no better than a co-championship (that shouldn’t a thing, BTW, its what we have tie-breakers for) but if they have the head-to-head win over Northwest, they would claim the AQ bid to the playoffs. The biggest question is if Pitt State can still make the playoffs with a loss, dropping them to 8-3? I think the answer is yes, but it's not a given. This game is being held at Childrens Mercy Park in Kansas City. Coverage will be on the MIAA Network.
Five conferences already have their championship and automatic playoff bid determined.
GAC: Harding
GLIAC: Ferris State
GMAC: Findlay
NE10: Bentley
SAC: Newberry
The remaining two conferences still have champions to decide. Here are the scenarios.
NSIC: Down to Augustana and Minnesota Duluth. Duluth owns the critical head to head tie breaker so if they win at Minot State, they are the champs and take the playoff spot. If they lose and Augie wins at Wayne State, the Vikings take the hardware. If both lose, Minnesota State would be tied with both teams in the standings, but Duluth wins that three-way tie.
MEC: Frostburg State gets the AQ with a win at Fairmont State. Charleston gets it with a win over WV State AND a Frostburg loss. If both lose, Frostburg wins the H2H tie-breaker.
Other games with playoff hopes on the line
Slippery Rock (6-3) at Bloomsburg (2-8): Rock is still in play in SR1 despite a humbling loss to Edinboro last week. They do have a shot to make the field but close the season with a scrappy Bloomsburg team that pushed Kutztown to the final play last week.
Northeastern State (7-3) at West Alabama (5-3): The Riverhawks haven’t cracked the SR4 Top 10 yet, but they’re close. I don’t think they can make enough of a move to be in the playoffs, but a win over West Alabama would be a great final argument and a cap on what has been a remarkable season in “The Quah.”
Assumption (7-2) at West Chester (4-6): Despite last week’s loss at Bentley, Assumption is still in position to make the playoff field with a win. West Chester is limping towards the finish after a puzzling lopsided loss at Shippensburg, but they did beat NE10 champ Bentley by 17 points back in week one.
MSU Moorhead (7-3) at Minnesota State (8-2): The Mavericks are on solid ground for the playoffs, but most likely facing a must-win to secure their spot. Moorhead can play with anyone in the league and they have the best quarterback in the country closing out his college career.
Colorado Mesa (6-4) at Western Colorado (8-2): Two weeks ago, Western was 8-0 and looking forward to the stretch run. Now, they’re on the outside of the playoffs looking in. A win this weekend still may not be enough in a crowded region.
California (7-3) at Shippensburg (3-7): California can most likely secure a playoff spot with a win at Ship. This will be the final game in the head coaching career of Shippensburg’s Mark Maciejewski. “Coach Mac” announced his retirement earlier this week. He is currently the longest tenured head coach in the PSAC.
Other games of interest
Henderson State (7-3) at Ouachita Baptist (7-3): Henderson State is at Ouachita Baptist. At. lol. If you know, you know. The Battle of the Ravine is as good as rivalries get in Division II. The uniqueness of the setting with the schools literally across the street from each other, is unmatched. Playoffs are a stretch as the winner needs more help than is likely to come, but for these teams, there aren’t many things more important than winning this game.
Tiffin (6-4) a Findlay (10-0): Findlay already has the GMAC Championship and automatic playoff bid locked up. They will try to complete the undefeated season against their closest rival, Tiffin.
Seton Hill (4-6) at Shepherd (6-4): Nothing really at stake here but it is notable that Shepherd is working for a seventh straight win. It’s remarkable how they have recovered from an 0-4 start to the year.
Arkansas-Monticello (2-8) at Southern Arkansas (7-3): This will be the final game for UAM head coach Hud Jackson as he transitions full time to the role of Director of Athletics.
Angelo State (6-4) at West Texas A&M (6-4): Nothing on the line here, but I am very interested in how these two perform. There is a big difference between 6-5 and 7-4. For Angelo, its a disappointment either way. For West Texas, it would be a nice way to close a year in which they’ve shown a lot of growth.
Southwestern Oklahoma State (5-5) at Northwestern Oklahoma State (2-8): SWOSU has a chance to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2015. This program is just two years removed from a winless season. Good things have been happening in Weatherford since Andrew Rice arrived. But this may not be as easy as it looks. After being nowhere for most of the season, Northwestern has won two of the last three.
Last chance for a win
Here are some teams still trying to notch that first win of the year
Thomas More (0-10) at Kentucky Wesleyan (0-10): Its been a hard season for both teams but at least one of them gets to close the year on a positive note.
Pace (0-10) at Franklin Pierce (5-4): The Setters and Ravens played earlier this season and Pace last that one by 24 points. On the other side, Franklin Pierce has a chance to finish the year with the first winning season in program history (since 2019).
Edinboro (6-4) at Millersville (0-10): A year ago, Millersville was 0-10 entering their meeting with Edinboro. The Marauders kicked a field goal on the final play to earn their only win. Guess what? They’re in the same spot this year. Can they repeat the trick? Seems unlikely as Boro is 6-4 and coming off a manhandling of Slippery Rock, but this late in the year, you never know.
Wayne State (0-10) at Northern Michigan (2-8): Last chance for the Warriors to notch a win this season. Northern is only 2-8 but you won’t find many 2-8 clubs with more momentum or optimism. Both their wins were on the road, so a win at home in the dome would be a big deal.
Adams State (0-10) at South Dakota Mines (2-8): Can The Grizzlies close the year with their first win for rookie head coach Levi Gallas?
West Virginia Wesleyan (0-10) at Glenville State (5-5): Wesleyan has not won a game since Oct. 22, 2022. That’s 34 consecutive losses. They will be outmanned but Glenville has been inconsistent.
Sul Ross (0-10) at UT Permian Basin (8-2): It's hard to find a path for the Lobos to win this one.
And we’ll close with this…
Gannon (1-9) at Lock Haven (5-5): If you were born after the 1981 college football season, then Lock Haven has not had a winning season in your lifetime. Think about that. 1981. That’s 44 years ago. The Bald Eagles were 5-6 in 2023 and 2024. Is this the year it finally happens?
Questions, suggestions, comments, complaints? Email me at [email protected] and follow me on X @D2Chuck