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.
BCSN #2 BOWIE STATE (9-1, 7-0 CIAA) - The CIAA North Champions enter the championship game ranked #2 in Super Region 2 and also have the second highest performance incicator in Super Region 2. The Bulldogs are 9-0 versus DII competition, 7-0 in region, 4-0 versus DII teams over .500, and 1-0 vs. DII ranked opponents (New Haven, #6 Super Region 1). Bowie State is in, win or lose. A win guarantees a home game in the first two rounds. If Super Region #1, Valdosta State, should lose to Super Region #4, West Florida, Bowie State will earn a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the regional rounds. A loss will likely drop Bowie to either 4 or 5. A ranking of #4 will get the Bulldogs a home game in round 1 but put Bowie State on the road for round 2. Bowie's defense ranks #3 in total defense and has the #8 scoring defense in NCAA Division II.
BCSN #3 FAYETTEVILLE STATE (8-1, 7-0 CIAA) - The CIAA South Champions enter the championship game ranked #10 in Super Region 2 and sit with the tenth highest performance incicator in Super Region 2. The Broncos are 8-1 versus DII competition and in region, 1-1 versus DII teams over .500 (Loss to Wingate, who was in first top 10 poll and a win vs. Shaw), and have not played a DII ranked opponent. Fayetteville State probably has the weakest resume of all teams ranked in the Top 10. A Bronco win versus Bowie State in the CIAA Championship game will allow Fayetteville State to gain entry via the preferred qualifier status. A loss eliminates the Broncos. The Broncos rank #2 in total defense.
BCSN unranked MILES (6-4, 4-2 SIAC) - Do not let the record of the SIAC West Champions fool you. Two of the Golden Bears four losses are to FCS teams in Alabama State and Southern. The other two losses occurred when the Golden Bears started the 4th and 5th quarterbacks on the depth chart. Looking at the numbers, Miles is probably ranked #11 in Super Region 2 and have the 11th highest performance incicator in Super Region 2. The Golden Bears are 6-2 versus DII competition and in region, 2-1 versus DII teams over .500, and are 0-1 (Loss to Albany State) versus DII ranked opponents. A Golden Bear win versus Albany State in the SIAC Championship game will allow Miles to gain entry via the preferred qualifier status. A loss eliminates the Golden Bears.
BCSN #4 SAVANNAH STATE (8-2, 5-1 SIAC) - The SIAC East runner-ups do not play this week. The Tigers currently sit #8 in Super Region 2 and boast the seventh highest performance incicator in Super Region 2. The Tigers are 8-2 versus DII competition and in region, 2-2 versus DII teams over .500 (Losses to Valdosta State and Albany State, wins vs. Benedict and Kentucky State), and 0-2 versus DII ranked opponents (Losses to Valdosta State and Albany State). Savannah State finds themselves in a similar situation to Virginia State's position in 2019. It would have been nice if Savannah State could have picked up an extra game versus Shaw of the CIAA or played a SIAC Consolation Game versus Lane to help boaster their rating. Since that did not occur, the Tigers will need some serious help to get in. Either Mars Hill or Newberry must lose. Even if both lose, one team will probably get in as a preferred qualifier. West Georgia must also lose. Valdosta State will need to defeat West Florida. Finally, Bowie State and Albany State need to win their respective championship games. If all of these events occur, Savannah State may get in anywhere from #4 to #6 ranked team. An Albany State and Bowie State win plus a loss by either team Mars Hill or Newberry may get Savannah in at #7.
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 |
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