Week 10 of the HBCU football season marks the final weekend in the regular season for the Division II ranks.
With that brings a trio of Division II contests that will decide who will be competing in the respective conference championship games in the CIAA and SIAC.
Meanwhile, the SWAC hosts a pair of matchups that could see a shakeup in the division championship races, including one pitting the two leaders against each other.
Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 10 of the HBCU football season.
Virginia Union vs. Virginia State
When: November 7; Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
A spot in the CIAA championship game is on the line when the Virginia Union Panthers face the Virginia State Trojans.
Last weekend, Virginia State had a chance to clinch a spot in the CIAA title game, but came up short against Johnson C. Smith in its first conference loss of the season.
As a result, they enter a scenario in which a loss would eliminate them from conference championship contention entirely.
However, a Virginia State win and a Johnson C. Smith loss would send both teams to Durham to do battle once again with the CIAA title up for grabs.
Virginia Union has controlled the series in recent years, winning six of the last eight matchups since 2018, including a 14-3 win last season.
Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone
When: November 7; Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Johnson C. Smith’s bid for a championship bid is up for grabs when it travels to Salisbury for a date with Livingstone in the Commemorative Classic.
Facing elimination from the CIAA championship race, the Golden Bulls came through clutch with a 39-33 overtime win over Virginia State.
Now, they simply need a win over Livingstone or a Virginia State loss against Virginia Union to punch their ticket to Durham.
In their way is their fierce in-state rival, Livingstone, who has a history of playing spoiler to Johnson C. Smith’s conference championship aspirations.
The last time these teams met in Salisbury in 2024, the Blue Bears came through with an upset win, officially knocking the Golden Bulls out of postseason contention.
Johnson C. Smith is looking for its first win on Livingstone’s home field since 2019.
Central State vs. Benedict
When: November 7; Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
With one-half of the SIAC championship picture already settled, we find out who will also be competing for the title berth when Central State goes on the road to face Benedict.
Last weekend, Central State took down Edward Waters thanks to a go-ahead touchdown in a final two minutes while Benedict pitched a shutout against Savannah State.
As a result, Edward Waters was officially eliminated from conference championship contention while Kentucky State clinched a spot in the title game.
History is on the side of Benedict, who have won four straight against Central State (last loss came in 2015), including a 10-0 win last season in what was their first meeting in seven years.
The Marauders are looking to extend their win streak to six games, extending what is already their longest such streak since 1995.
Meanwhile, Benedict has a chance to clinch its fourth SIAC championship appearance in the past five seasons.
Alabama A&M vs. Prairie View A&M
When: November 7; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWAC TV
In a potential preview of this year’s SWAC championship game, current conference division leaders Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M wage war in Panther Stadium.
Locked in a three-way tie for first place in the SWAC West, and a looming matchup against one of the teams they are tied with, it is important for the reigning conference champions to get a win.
Meanwhile, while Alabama A&M holds a slim lead in the SWAC East, a win remains important, as Jackson State holds the tiebreaker advantage.
The last time these teams met, Prairie View A&M dominated, winning 48-5. Alabama A&M has not beaten Prairie View A&M since 2012.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Grambling State
When: November 7; Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: SWACTV
Arkansas-Pine Bluff fights to stay in the SWAC West division title race when it clashes with Grambling State.
The Golden Lions secured their biggest win of the season last weekend, bum-rushing Bethune-Cookman in a destructive 63-21 win.
The win put them in a three-way tie at the top of the SWAC West with Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M.
With a loss to Alcorn State already on their resume, and a matchup against Prairie View A&M next weekend, a win in this game is important for the Golden Lions’ chances of winning the division.
In their way is a Grambling State looking to get back in the win column after consecutive losses.
