Such could have been said earlier this year about the Bowie State football success, one that had been stuck in mediocrity the past few seasons. The offense scored nearly at will versus D-II competition.If the defense holds up against the rugged CIAA North, then the coaches will have proven us wrong for sure.

On the flip side, Virginia Union is reeling for sure. The real problems are turnovers and penalties. The Panthers have a minus-one turnover margin, often giving up the ball on their side of the field and creating easy chances for its opponent to score. There was even a stretch last week where the defense had two 15-yard personal foul penalties on one drive.

Other notables from last week:

WSSU won its first ever game against Catawba. It was another dramatic affair that could have gone either way. th down. Ouch.
It was so vicious.
It must be something about anyone with a Bulldog mascot since both Bowie and Wingate scored more than 50 points last week.

Fayetteville State lost to UNC-Pembroke. In other news, the sky is blue and water is wet.

Virginia State had a letdown after dominating Lenoir-Rhyne. The key for this team is balance.

Virginia Union @ Winston-Salem State: This is your game of the week for the conference.VUU is still a dangerous team against a Ram squad that should be 2-0. The Rams seem to be improving on offense with a defense that is bending rather than breaking. I can see VUU gaining lots of yards in this game, but WSSU taking the victory with enough of a passing game to keep the Panthers off keel. They key for this game is to see how chippy the players get as the game goes on.

Bowie State @ FCS Central Connecticut State: This is a game that was surprisingly competitive last year. Bowie lost this game by a touchdown scored in the fourth quarter. It is mighty tempting to pick the Bulldogs over the Blue Devils; however, the question is whether the Seton Hill or the JCSU performance will show up for the defense. This game can easily be a shootout against a CCSU team eager to get its first win.

Virginia State @ Kentucky State:Look for the run game to set the tone for the Boys of Troy.

Morehouse @Elizabeth City State: Morehouse is 2-0 and looking to come into spoil the Down East party the Vikings throw every year. Morehouse had wins over NAIA Edward Waters (19-14) and Kentucky State (14-3), not exactly thrilling teams. ECSU has managed to score decent points against higher level competition, and this team is underrated despite its 0-2 record. I think the Vikings can pull it off.

West Florida @ Chowan: Chowan has a history of playing new D2 schools (think Alderson-Broddus). UWF is guided by former UNCP coach Pete Shinnick and is led by Valdosta State transfer QB Kaleb Nobles. The Argonauts are a high scoring team (45 points a game) and are pass heavy.

UNC-Pembroke @ Shaw: Shaw will win. LOL jk. No way.Did you see what UNC-P did to WSSU and Fayetteville State?!

Welcome to the bonus round. You know the outcome of these games. I know the outcome of these games. This is where the athletic departments are pimping out their football teams for some cash.

Livingstone @ FCS Davidson: Davidson is a non scholarship squad that has lost to a CIAA squad before.

Lincoln (PA) @ FCS Morehead State: Will Lincoln win? Nah bruh.

FCS North Carolina Central: NCCU is in an arms race with rival NC A&T, so you can best believe they will be shooting to put up more points on the Falcons that the Aggies did two weeks ago. They should get paid two times for this game.

JCSU @ FCS Wofford

Fayetteville State @ FCS Elon: Will UNCFSU win?