October 16th, 2026 10:00am
Real clarity around the championship game participants is not likely to occur this weekend, but there are enough landmines in the schedule that need addressing for those teams who have not lost in conference. Plus, there is the battle of the defeated that will set the tone for who solidifies their place in the CIAA basement.
Games in order of interest
Virginia Union (4-0, 5-1) at Bowie State (3-1, 3-3)
A resurgent Bowie State hosts conference heavyweight VUU in the must see game of the week. BSU is on a 3 game winning streak after’s defense causes six turnovers last week. Bowie can win this game if it can get VUU into third down and long scenarios and put pressure on QB RJ Rosales. Both teams like to run the ball, and BSU also needs to get more out of its passing game. VUU’s rush defense is second in the league in stopping the run.
Advantage: VUU. Defense travels, and they do not need to score a lot of points to win games.
Virginia State (5-0, 6-1) at Shaw (2-3, 4-3)
Shaw has withered under the pressure the last couple of weeks. First, it was Bowie State putting in a two score haymaker on the ground that the Bears never recovered from. Then, it was the balanced JCSU offensive attack that caged them. Now, the Bears are facing a team that is more about passing than running. Shaw defense will need to cover the all-arounders in WR Jaylen Pretlow and Vincent Ordenes and the homerun hitter in WR Kevin Gayles. Expect Shaw to stick with their rushing game with RB Trey Thorpe at the helm. Shaw is ahead of schedule with the rebuild but the defense is not likely to hold up against a Trojan offense that likes to pour on the points in the second half.
Advantage: VSU, but do not panic if the game is close at the half
Elizabeth City State (1-3, 1-5) at Fayetteville State (2-2, 3-3)
This game is less about ECSU’s abilities and more about FSU. ECSU continues to be rather predictable in performance. When they are hot, they are really good. Its just the offense flickers off faster than a pilot light in a windstorm. That didn’t happen last week because Lincoln’s special team, who gave up a punt block return AND kickoff return for touchdown.
But Ferg, didn’t FSU have some special team disasters the last time they played?
Why yes, they did. It was a field goal block and a punt return for touchdown that almost allowed the Broncos to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
It is possible that ECSU has some chances in this game because FSU has been prone to a comedy of errors this year. But if ECSU has to rely on its rushing game because of an unproductive passing game, then FSU’s defense is more than capable to putting an end to an upset bid.
Advantage: FSU (Happy Homecoming, but it should be a loss because who names their homecoming NOHOE?)
Bluefield State (0-4, 0-6) at Winston-Salem State (0-4, 0-6)
Its been a tough season for both schools, as they have had close-ish games slip away in the second half. Neither have been consistent in passing the ball, and their one-dimensional offenses with little pizazz means teams focus on stopping the rush. Even then, they are the two worst rushing teams, and the two worst rush defenses in the conference.
It is at this point in covering this game that I go searching for my corkscrew and a bottle of Pinot Noir.
Okay, so - It is likely the team who gets to double digits first will win this game. What makes the difference here to me is that WSSU’s passing game is rather recalcitrant, whereas at least B-State has had a QB with almost 300 passing yards in a game.
Advantage: Bluefield State. If WSSU loses this game, then their feelings are going to be lower than an ant’s knees.
Lincoln (1-3, 1-6) at #25 Johnson C. Smith (4-0, 5-1)
The hurricane low key did JCSU a favor. It put the Golden Bulls on the minds of many, as last week’s game versus Shaw was the only Division II game played on Friday night. They did not disappoint, throttling the Bears. Now, they play Lincoln, who has a high flying offensive game between the 20s. Lincoln needs a better conversion rate in the redzone, as scoring 63 percent of the time is not going to cut it against JCSU. The Lions have been able to get the ball to receivers not named Tyson, Kyrie to reduce some of the pressure on the passing game.
It’s JCSU. They are going to feed the ball to Fabian Duncan and Kamarro Edmonds, but we now know that the coaches are going to allow Damien Mazil to pass at will. So, does Coach Flowers unleash the running game that has been the bread and butter, or attack a pass defense that gives up 8.1 yards a pass play? Plus, its really the Golden Bulls defense to pay attention to. That unit has only allowed six points in the last two games.
Advantage: JCSU (and happy homecoming!)
Bye: Livingstone, who is recovering from a mauling from Virginia State last week.