September 20th, 2024 11:00am
The CIAA’s out of conference leg was a rousing success. Schools scheduled well, and they came out with nine of 11 clubs notching at least one win against Division 2 School. The conference swept the SIAC as well, which does bode well for playoff jockeying later in the season. Here was a breakdown of OOC wins, excluding wins against conference members:
Bluefield State: Concord (Mountain East)
Elizabeth City State: Chowan, Erskine (Gulf South)
Fayetteville State: UNC-Pembroke (Mountain East)
Johnson C. Smith: Tuskegee, Morehouse (SIAC)
Livingstone: Allen (SIAC)
Shaw: Albany State (SIAC)
Virginia State: Benedict (SIAC)
Virginia Union: Kentucky State (SIAC)
Winston-Salem State: Ohio Dominican (Great Midwest)
More importantly, the losses incurred for the last three clubs were against FCS schools, which, for your annual reminder, don’t matter for qualifying for the D2 playoffs. As such, we have this really interesting mix of results going into conference play since you technically have six schools undefeated against D2 competition. The stakes are rather high given that it’s the top two teams who go to the conference championship game this year.
In celebration of this week’s opening slate, I’m going to infuse the discussion with describing games with a second passion – wine (for the 21+ crowd of course)!
Here is this week’s slate, in order of interest:
#20 Virginia Union (1-1) at Johnson C Smith (3-0)
These two teams feature a complex web of depth at various positions, particularly line play. Both JCSU and VUU rotate multiple defensive lineman in an attempt to wear you down. They both have stellar running back – we all know about Jada Byers (who was one of the first two selectees for the HBCU Legacy Bowl, mind you), but there’s also the one-two punch of Quavaris Crouch and Kamarro Edmonds for JCSU. The kicking game is also par for the course. This game may come down to whoever makes the least mistakes. Its literally the crown versus the challenger.
Wine Pairing: Our weekend soiree will end with this game, as it is the only 6pm conference game. You need a dinner wine because its going to be a meat and potatoes type of game. It should be the type of game that you really need to pay attention because it should be a real chess match. Expect some bold options being played too. Thus, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon would fit the bill here.
Advantage: To be the champs, you got to beat the champs. With RJ Rosales back in the lineup, I’d expect VUU to take this game. Dare I say, whomever wins this game will be in the top 25 rankings.
Winston-Salem State (2-1) at Virginia State (1-1)
The last time these two teams played was at VSU, featured WSSU leading the game, followed by the lights going out, and VSU rallying afterwards. That event was in 2017. The two best cheerleading groups from what I’ve heard also. This game has two evenly matched teams: they are in similar in points surrendered (mid-teens), points scored (mid-20s). They are balanced in their offensive approaches. Defensively, VSU seems more vulnerable against the run, and WSSU the same against the pass. I think this game says a lot about how far WSSU has come rather than how far VSU has fallen.
Wine Pairing: This game should be spicy, and it’s giving Syrah, a red wine that has peppery notes. Also a good wine to pair with BBQ, because we know the tailgate is going to be on point.
Advantage: Virginia State, but I do expect a close game. You might be tempted to take a sip of your favorite beverage if WSSU gets in the rhythm of just kicking field goals again. The Rams need to learn how to develop a knockout punch, and the lack thereof leaves them open to VSU stealing this game in the end.
Fayetteville State (1-1) at Elizabeth City State (2-1)
The Down East Viking Football Classic is a party to its own. ECSU comes into this game after starting the season 2-1 for the first time since 2017. Ironically, that year was the same year that ECSU rose to that 2-1 record by beating Fayetteville State at the DEFVC 45-42 (what a wild game that was). It was also the last time that ECSU took down FSU. Speaking of the Broncos, they got bucked by Valdosta 34-0 in game that just featured all sorts of offensive struggles. But ECSU is no Valdosta, and the Vikings haven’t gotten consistent on offense (they beat Erskine 20-0, and scored all 20 points in the fourth quarter). FSU’s defensive line is really good at putting pressure on quarterbacks, so thoughts of Viking QB Damarcus Creecy getting ample time to pass may be ambitious. That thought also doesn’t bode well ECSU, who isnt running the ball well. Creecy is their leading rusher. ECSU leads the conference in pass defense, and FSU isnt exactly a prolific passing team. But, the Broncos do enough to keep teams on their heels when it comes to moving the offense through the air.
Wine pairing: Immediately, this game is giving me Pinot Noir. Pinot is a fickle grape, and both are on the lighter side. Pinot’s fickleness is like both team’s offenses – they both are capable of great things, but it takes the right combination, and sometimes let you down. Oregon’s got some good ones though, and fans of the winning program should splurge on Burgundy.
Advantage: Fayetteville State. They are just a bit more polished than the up and coming Vikings.
Livingstone (2-1) at Bowie State (0-2)
Last year, Livingstone KO’d Bowie State at home, setting up high hopes for the Blue Bears going into this season. Bowie State has dropped their first two games to stiff competition. Contrasts between the two teams resides in special teams. Livingstone’s Jason Zapata connected on three of them last week, the last one pushing the Blue Bears to the win versus Allen, while Bowie State has yet to make one this season. BSU likes to play keep away on offense, controlling the time of possession. If you’re Livingstone, can you find some consistency in the pass game against a team that has struggled in pass defense?
Wine Pairing: You’re probably use to seeing the records flipped between these two teams. Make no mistake though, as Livingstone will be a tough out for a lot of times, while Bowie State has to show us that they still got the juice. In the "you have to see it to believe it category", Chenin Blanc comes to mind. Aim for one from South Africa to really be off the grid.
Advantage: Bowie State with the get back from last year.
Lincoln PA (0-2) at Shaw (2-1)
By no means is this game a gimme for Shaw, but it sure feels like it with the surprising lack of productivity coming from the Lincoln Lions. The Lions have reverted back to old form through two games, now sitting at 7.5 point a game. They seemed like a team that was going to have to outscore teams in shootouts, but you cant do that if you find the endzone. Meanwhile, the defense is permitting teams to pass for over 250 yards a game, and there’s also the 150 yards they are also giving up on the ground. Shaw’s WRs have been tremendous this year, but RB Travon Tensley has quietly become reliable for the Bears. The Bears are a scrappy bunch, and not to be overlooked.
Wine Pairing: Chardonnay will do just fine here, as it’s a versatile as the wide receivers in this game. Go for a Chablis from France, something lighter and not oaked because…..
Advantage: …I expect Shaw to lay the wood on Lincoln.
Thank you for entertaining me. Should be a great Saturday to open up conference play.