Week 12 of the HBCU football season is highlighted by a pair of championship games in the two HBCU Division II conferences.
The MEAC has a pair of contests that could set up an unofficial championship game next weekend, while the SWAC hosts a East division matchup that could shake up the standings.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 12 of the HBCU football season.
South Carolina State vs. North Carolina Central
When: Friday, November 14; Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN2
South Carolina State opens up the weekend, putting its unbeaten conference record on the line in a Friday night matchup in Durham against North Carolina Central.
The last time these two teams faced off, it served as an unofficial MEAC championship game with the Bulldogs coming away with a 24-21 victory.
South Carolina State is currently riding a five-game win streak, including wins in its last two road contests.
While the Bulldogs come into this game following a one-sided 42-12 win over Howard, North Carolina Central had to fight for a narrow 31-28 win against Norfolk State.
A win for South Carolina State would set up a straight-up contest to decide the MEAC champion against Delaware State (assuming DSU beats Howard this weekend).
However, a win for North Carolina Central would produce added drama heading into the final week of the regular season for the MEAC.
SIAC Championship: Benedict vs. Albany State
When: Saturday, November 15; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
The two teams responsible for three of the last four SIAC championships clash with the title on the line as Albany State hosts Benedict.
Albany State secured its spot in the SIAC championship game in its penultimate game of the regular season against Savannah State.
Meanwhile, Benedict clinched its SIAC title berth in the final week, beating the aforementioned Savannah State in a double-overtime thriller.
This game is a rematch of their matchup from October 25, in which Albany State handed Benedict its first (and only) loss of the season, 31-3.
In the NCAA’s most recent Regional Rankings, both teams currently rank in the top five in their region (Albany State ranked fourth and Benedict ranked fourth).
A win would guarantee that either team would host at least one game in the Division II playoffs (in the case of Benedict winning, both teams could potentially host playoff games).
On the other hand, a loss would be most damaging for Benedict as it would most likely drop them outside the top five in the region, forcing them to start the playoffs on the road against a top-three seed.
Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State
When: Saturday, November 15; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: TheGrio
Jackson State looks to maintain its lead in the SWAC East in its penultimate game of the regular season when it hosts Bethune-Cookman.
In its four years since becoming an official SWAC member, Bethune-Cookman has not beaten Jackson State, including a 37-17 loss in their matchup last season.
Following a 42-3 win over Mississippi Valley State, Jackson State remains atop the SWAC East, holding a slim lead over Alabama State.
The Wildcats, who entered last weekend in a three-way tie with JSU and Bama State, took a huge hit in the division standings with a loss against Grambling State.
However, a win for BCU, and potentially a loss by Alabama State against Mississippi Valley State, would put them back in the SWAC East championship race.
On paper, this matchup favors Jackson State, who have yet to lose a home game, while Bethune-Cookman has not won a game on the road.
Howard vs. Delaware State
When: Saturday, November 15; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Delaware State’s hopes of a MEAC championship could be realized this weekend in its penultimate game of the regular season against Howard.
The Hornets stayed perfect in MEAC play, following a narrow victory over Morgan State in front of a nationally televised audience.
Howard, on the other hand, was essentially knocked out of MEAC title contention following a 42-12 loss against South Carolina State.
A win for Delaware State is crucial with a matchup against South Carolina State, the only other team with an unbeaten conference record in the MEAC, looming with a Celebration Bowl berth up for grabs.
While the Bison hold a three-game win streak against the Hornets, including a 38-0 shutout win last season, this is a much better DSU team than those others.
Also, Delaware State has yet to lose a home game this season, holding a perfect 3-0 record, including a win over North Carolina Central in its conference opener.
CIAA Championship: Virginia Union vs. Johnson C. Smith
When: Saturday, November 15; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: HBCUGo
The first CIAA championship game in Durham will commence between the two-time reigning champion Virginia Union Panthers and the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls.
Johnson C. Smith clinched its first CIAA championship game berth since 1972 with a 26-21 win in the final week of the regular season against Livingstone.
In their quest for their second CIAA title in school history, first since 1969, the Golden Bulls will have to go through a Panthers team that is looking for their second-ever three-peat.
Like the SIAC championship game, this is also a rematch of a regular-season matchup that Virginia Union won 28-10.
Both teams come into this game having seemingly locked up spots in the Division II playoff spots, each ranked in the top three in the NCAA Division II Super Region One rankings.
However, a loss for either team could mean their road to a Division II National Championship begins on the road rather than on their home field.
