The so-called ‘stretch run’ of the 2022 HBCU football season is upon us.
It begins over the next three weeks (depending on the conference).
CIAA stretch run
For the CIAA, intra-divisional games – games between teams in the same division – begins this week as the regular season enters its final five weeks.
This is when determining North and South Division champions in the CIAA really begins.
That’s the focus of our preview this week. The CIAA title game in Salem, Va. is set for Nov. 12.
Stretch run for SIAC and others
There is an almost similar schedule for the SIAC which will also stage its championship game on Nov. 12. True intra-divisional play will start up next week in the SIAC. Its title game will be played at the home of the East Division champion.
Conference play between teams in the MEAC begins in earnest in two weeks (Oct. 22). It gets started with the Norfolk State / Morgan State game this Saturday. Delaware State and Norfolk State will play only the second MEAC game next week (Oct. 15).
The SWAC is a little different. Teams in the SWAC will play inter-divisional games right through the Nov. 26 end of the regular season. The SWAC Championship Game will be played Dec. 3.
Handicapping the CIAA North
In the CIAA North, it usually comes down to three teams – three-time champion Bowie State, Virginia Union and Virginia State. It looks to be trending that way again this season. Virginia Union has had the best start.
Dr. Alvin Parker’s VUU Panthers (5-0, 3-0 CIAA) are the conference’s only undefeated team. VUU is currently ranked 12th in the AFCA NCAA Div. II Coaches Poll and 17th in the D2football.com poll.
Virginia State (4-1, 3-0) and Bowie State (3-2, 2-1) are just behind VUU in the standings.
Also in the North
In other North Division games, Virginia Union is at home in Richmond, Va. (12 noon) for its homecoming vs. Elizabeth City State (1-4, 1-2). Lincoln (2-2, 1-1) has homecoming (1 p.m.) hosting Chowan (2-3, 2-1).
Next week, VUU plays at Bowie State. VSU will host VUU on Nov. 5, the last week of the regular season.
Handicapping the CIAA South
In the South, Shaw (2-3) and four-time division champion Fayetteville State (3-2) both have 2-1 records in CIAA games. They appear on a collision course for division supremacy. They have a date in Fayetteville for Oct. 29.
After getting by Bowie State, Shaw fell to VSU last week 28-24 on a Trojans’ touchdown with :12 seconds left. FSU battled unbeaten Virginia Union to the wire on Sept. 24 but fell 31-28.
This week, FSU has its homecoming (2 p.m.) vs. winless Saint Augustine’s (0-5, 0-3). Shaw visits (1 p.m.) J. C. Smith (1-3, 1-2) in Charlotte (N.C.) and Livingstone (1-4, 0-3) hosts (1 p.m.) Winston-Salem State (0-4, 0-2) in Salisbury, NC.