By james art As we enter Week Eight of CIAA football, the rankings reflect a dynamic and competitive season in HBCU football, shaped by both strong performances and significant developments off the field. Johnson C. Smith leads the way, undefeated at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference after being Shaw on Saturday, cementing its position as one of the top HBCU programs this year. Virginia Union, also 4-0 in the CIAA and 5-2 overall, has emerged as another dominant force, riding a four-game winning streak.
A key factor that affected the rankings this season was the loss of the Saint Augustine football program. Their absence caused the league to switch from an eight-game to a seven-game conference format. Notably, Virginia Union and Virginia State won when their losses to CIAA opponents in Week Three did not count toward the conference standings due to the adjustments. Virginia Union’s loss to Johnson C. Smith and Virginia State’s loss to Winston-Salem State were left out of the CIAA record, keeping both teams in strong position despite early setbacks. The wins counted for JCSU and WSSU, who are scheduled to meet Saturday for a showdown that could go a long way in determining who will be in the CIAA title game.
Winston-Salem State remains in the hunt with a 4-1 conference record and 6-2 overall, trailing closely behind Johnson C. Smith and Virginia Union. Virginia State, despite a 4-3 overall record, is 3-1 in conference play and still a strong contender as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, other HBCU programs like Livingstone (3-2 CIAA) and Shaw (2-3 CIAA) are trying to find consistency as they navigate a tough schedule.
Fayetteville State, Bowie State — two longtime Division II HBCU powers — and others are working to turn their seasons around and play spoiler. As we enter the final stretch, the CIAA standings reflect the resilience and competitiveness of these HBCU teams, each vying for a chance to make their mark in a season defined by change and opportunity.