The 2026 Division II HBCU football season will see a significant amount of non-conference games that will test teams’ ability to compete on a national level.
Here are the 5 most intriguing matchups to watch.
Johnson C. Smith vs. Benedict (August 29)
The reigning CIAA champion, Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls, go on the road to begin the 2026 season to face the SIAC championship runner-up Benedict Tigers.
Although both teams went through significant changes in the offseason, most notably losing top offensive stars such as Deandre Proctor, Brevin Caldwell, Triston Morgan, and Jaxon Williams, respectively, there is still enough talent for both teams to be considered favorites to win their conferences.
While Johnson C. Smith is looking to repeat as CIAA champions, Benedict is riding the high of a spectacular 2025 season in which they claimed their first Division II playoff win in school history.
Both teams have elite coaching in Maurice Flowers and Ron Dickerson that have shown to be adept in building championship caliber programs.
This is a great way to start the 2026 football season between two gritty, dynamic teams with aspirations beyond competing in their respective conferences.
Virginia Union vs. Lenoir-Rhyne (August 29)
The Virginia Union Panthers begin the 2026 season in a battle against perennial Division II playoff contender Lenoir-Rhyne.
Despite their bid for a CIAA championship three-peat falling short, Virginia Union did enough to be selected as an at-large bid in the Division II playoffs, marking its fourth straight appearance.
They are facing a Lenoir-Rhyne team that had a down year by their standards, finishing their 2025 campaign with a 6-5 record.
However, in the previous year, Virginia Union and Lenoir-Rhyne clashed in the postseason, with the Panthers dominating in a 44-12 victory.
Having gone through significant offseason changes, including losing star running back and reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner Curtis Allen, Virginia Union will face a great test in its ultimate goal of one day winning a Division II National Championship.
Albany State vs. Johnson C. Smith (September 6)
For the second straight year, the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic will be a matchup of the two Division II HBCU conference champions.
After what was a historic season for Albany State in 2025, during which they won the SIAC title and advanced to the Regional Final of the Division II playoffs, the team went through wholesale changes from top to bottom.
In addition to former head coach Quinn Gray leaving to take over at his alma mater, Florida A&M, the Golden Rams also lost their starting quarterback Isaiah Knowles, running back Tiant Wyche, and leading receiver Jamill Williams.
Entering their first year under head coach David Bowser, the Golden Rams will face an uphill battle to maintain their streak of winning seasons, dating back to 2001.
In their way is a Johnson C. Smith team that has established an identity of winning under Coach Flowers, presenting a credible challenge in ASU’s Division II opener.
Fayetteville State vs. Valdosta State (September 12)
Rising CIAA contender Fayetteville State will do battle with recurring non-conference opponent Valdosta State in the season’s third week.
The last time FSU played against Valdosta State, it did not go well, suffering a 34-0 shutout loss in 2024. However, this is a much more improved Broncos team against a vulnerable Valdosta State team.
Last year, HBCUs went 2-1 against the Division II powerhouse, including Albany State’s 35-30 win in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
That being said, Valdosta State is always a tough out, and this will especially be true after going through its first season and a full offseason moving on from former head coach Tremaine Jackson.
Meanwhile, Fayetteville State, which was one game away from clinching a berth in the CIAA championship game last year, is gearing up for a redemption run against a conference up for grabs.
This game may not have a factor in determining the Broncos’ ability to compete in the CIAA, but will be a barometer for how good they can be on a national level.
Kentucky State vs Saginaw Valley State (September 19)
In Kentucky State’s only non-conference Division II contest of the season, Kentucky State will host Saginaw Valley State.
Fresh off their greatest season in nearly a century, the Thorobreds finished with a 9-3 overall record, being selected to their Division II playoff appearance in school history.
Kentucky State’s rise to national contenders coincides with its progression under head coach Felton Huggins, increasing the team’s win total in each of the first three years since being hired.
However, questions about the team’s staying power will need to be answered, especially considering the team is moving on from starting quarterback Torrence Bardell and running back Chad Elzy Jr.
They will get a big test in a Saginaw Valley State team that has finished with a winning record each year since 2021.
