BCSN #1 ALBANY STATE (9-1, 6-0 SIAC) - The SIAC East Champions enter the championship game ranked #3 in Super Region 2 and possess the third highest performance incicator in Super Region 2. The Golden Rams are 9-1 versus DII competition and in region, 3-1 versus DII teams over .500, and 1-1 vs. DII ranked opponents (Loss to Valdosta State #1 Super Region 2, Win vs. Savannah State, #8 Super Region 2). Albany State is in with a win and will host the first round of the playoffs, but a loss may knock them out. The Golden Rams, even with a win and a Valdosta State loss will not finish higher than 3 due to Valdosta State's head-to-head victory. A loss to Miles will drop Albany State to either 5 or 6 and foce them to play on the road in round 1. While the Golden Rams are safe if they finish 4 or higher, a ranking on 5 or lower may lead to Albany State being bumped for a preferred qualifier. Albany State has NCAA Division II's top scoring defense and total defense.
DIVISION II HBCU FOOTBALL SCENARIOS
DIVISION II HBCU FOOTBALL SCENARIOS

According to the NCAA Championship qualifications for football in Division II, a conference champion who finishes ranked nine or higher shall qualify for the playoffs. With only seven teams allowed in the playoffs, the lowest ranked team shall be replaced by the preferred qualifier. In essence, that means that team #7 shall be bumped by a preferred qualifier. There could be two preferred qualifiers (team #9 and team #8). But if team #7 is a conference champion, they cannot be "bumped" by other preferred qualifiers. With the Gulf South winner of Valdosta State or West Florida in and Bowie State essentially in, win-or-lose, spots 5-7 could go to the SIAC Winner (should Miles win), CIAA Winner (should Fayetteville State win), and the SAC (South Atlantic Conference) winner.
What an exciting weekend this may potentially become for fans of our Division II HBCU football teams this weekend. There have been many years when Black Colleges were completely shut out of the football playoffs. With the right combination of wins and loses, we may realistically see three, or even four, HBCU football teams competing in Super Region 2 for the championship, and ultimately, the National Championship. Here are the Top 10 teams, the games and opponents, and where to watch:
Super Region 2 Rank | Team | Opponent | Location | Time (EST) | Where to watch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Valdosta State | #4 West Florida | Away | 5pm | FloSports |
2 | Bowie State | #10 Fayetteville State | Neutral | 1pm | Aspire TV orCIAA.com |
3 | Albany State | Miles | Away | 2pm | ESPN+ |
4 | West Florida | #1 Valdosta State | Home | 5pm | FloSports |
5 | West Georgia | Delta State | Home | 1pm | Audio Only |
6 | Mars Hill | Wingate | Away | 3pm | Stretch |
7 | Newberry | Limestone | Away | 4pm | Stretch |
8 | Savannah State | off | off | off | off |
9 | Lenoir-Rhyne | Catawba | Home | 1pm | Stretch |
10 | Fayetteville State | #2 Bowie State | Neutral | 1pm | Aspire TV or CIAA.com |