2026 Pick'ems Introduction and Week 0 Picks

[LegalRam]

It's time for the 2026 CIAA Pick'ems. Last year ended in a 3 way tie when BiggKool gambled going with JCSU to beat VUU while Callen2525 and Argonut went with the majority and picked VUU. That game pushed BiggKool into the 1^st place tie.

Every pick counts, and the first few weeks offer OOC games and the greatest opportunity to pick up points. So, if you want to win this thing and have your name engraved on the digital championship wall, then make sure you come out strong.

A historical snapshot of CIAA Pick'ems Champions:

2025 – Argonut, BiggKool, and Callen2525
2024 - Ctrabs74
2023 - LegalRam and LT93bunny
2022 - LT93bunny
2021 - gr8ness97
2019 - OGramball3r
2018 - DCAbloob
2017 - Eagle74 and gr8ness97
2016 - DCAbloob
2015 - FSU-Tadow1906
2014 - FSU-Tadow1906
2013 - LegalRam
2012 - gr8ness97

Same rules from prior seasons apply. You have until 1 hour before the first game (on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) to post your picks (if you miss the Thursday picks still post in time for the rest of the week so you earn some points). Tiebreakers are broken via the number of games one has participated in over the course of the season. This system is done to keep individuals engaged in Pick'ems all year long.


8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC)
Barton (CC) at VSU

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[gsutiger1993]

Arighty then... Let me get my mojo back. LOL


8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC) We start with the Bottom Dwellers Bowl.
Barton (CC) at VSU

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC) This game might be a pick-em. Evenly matched. We're going to see if VUU, aka Runningback U, has reloaded of the bat.

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC) I want to pick the Rams so bad but if Vick loses this game, warm up the moving trucks.

[Finchwidget]

Thanks for kicking this off again Legal!

8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC)
Barton (CC) at VSU

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[GoVSUTrojans]

8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC)
Barton (CC) at VSU

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[BiggKool]

On the fence about Bluefield vs Tusculum and Fort Valley vs ECSU:

Blue State at Tusculum
Barton at VSU
VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne
Fort Valley State at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict
Allen at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State

[#1 Jayhawk Fan]

Tusculum
Virginia State
Lenoir-Rhyne
FVSU
JCSU
Allen
Fayetteville State
Norfolk State

[Eagle74]

Blue State
Virginia State
Lenoir Rhyne
FVSU
Benedict
Allen
Fayetteville State
Norfolk State

[LT93bunny]

8/27

Blue State
VSU

8/28

VUU

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC)
Benedict (SIAC)
Livingstone
Fayetteville State
Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[markjack1911]

8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC)
Barton (CC) at VSU

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[Argonut]

Bluefield St.
Virginia St.
Va. Union
Norfolk St.
Benedict
Ft. Valley
Livingstone
Fayetteville St.

[LegalRam]

8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC) - This could go either way, but I'll go with the home team.
Barton (CC) at VSU - I think the Trojans will have a decent squad this year, so I'm going with them for the week 0 win.

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC) - This is a tough pick for me. I can't imagine LR having another down year, but I'm having a hard time picking against Union.

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU - I don't have a lot of faith in ECSU.
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC) - Who would have thought we would see the day that this matchup would feature two teams coming off playoff seasons.
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone - I have even less faith in LC.
Shaw at Fayetteville State - This should be a nice early season win for UNCFSU.
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC) - Too many unknowns at WSSU for me to even consider picking the upset. Hopefully we at least keep it close against Ron Mexico and the Spartans.

[ctrabs74]

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC): Good news for Bluefield State: Tusculum is coming off a 1-win season; Bad news: that lone win was on the road at ... Bluefield State
Barton (CC) at VSU

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC): I'm going to agree with the majority of posters on here and say that this was a tough game to pick
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[EastStroud13]

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC)
Barton (CC) at VSU

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)

[callen2525]

8/27

Blue State at Tusculum (SAC)
Barton (CC) at VSU

8/28

VUU at Lenoir-Rhyne (SAC)

8/29

Fort Valley State (SIAC) at ECSU
JCSU at Benedict (SIAC)
Allen (SIAC) at Livingstone
Shaw at Fayetteville State
WSSU at Norfolk State (FCS – MEAC)