CFB-D2: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Week 8 Release and Previews

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We’re down to the final three weeks of the 2024 CIAA Football Season and the top teams continue to claw and scratch their way towards a top-two finish. Five exciting games are on deck for this weekend, highlighted by a matchup between the still-undefeated Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith, and third-place Winston-Salem State.  

Johnson C. Smith @ Winston-Salem State (1:00 P.M.) 
Coming off their seventh-straight victory, Johnson C. Smith looks to remain undefeated but will have a tall task this weekend, as they head to Winston-Salem State. The Rams took down Livingstone last weekend in a battle for third place and will look to pass the Golden Bulls in the standings with a victory. WSSU has won 13 of the last 14 matchups against JCSU, however, the Golden Bulls took down the Rams in last season’s showdown, 35-31. The game will be streamed live on HBCUGo. 

Virginia Union @ Bowie State (1:00 P.M.) 
Virginia Union looks to keep their conference record perfect this weekend, as they will head to Bowie State. The Panthers are winners of four straight and can potentially move into sole position of first place this weekend but will have to do so against a Bulldog squad that’s coming off a monstrous 54-0 shutout victory over Bluefield State.  

Lincoln (PA) @ Elizabeth City State University (1:00 P.M.) 
After a big loss to Virginia Union, Lincoln (PA) will look to right the ship this week as they take on Elizabeth City State, who have lost four in a row. The Lions’ offense has shown glimpses of success on both sides of the ball, while ECSU has held their opponents to less than 20 points on three occasions this season. The Vikings hold a heavy 12-3 advantage in the series since 2008. 

Shaw @ Fayetteville State (2:30 P.M.) 
Shaw and Fayetteville State will both look to climb above .500 this week, as they will clash on FSU’s home turf. The Bears have dropped two straight games, but took undefeated JCSU to the wire last week, narrowly being defeated, 21-14. The Broncos have won every other game this season since week one, and will look to get back in the win column this week after having enjoyed their bye week. These two teams are no strangers, as they’ve seen each other 21 times dating back to 1976. Fayetteville State has had the upper hand, winning 15 of those games.  

Virginia State @ Bluefield State (6:00 P.M.) 
Virginia State will look to extend their winning streak to three games this week, as they head to Bluefield State. The Trojans are coming off a commanding 36-7 victory over ECSU and are currently fourth in the conference standings. They take on a Bluefield State team who were shut down by Bowie State last week, 54-0. This will only be the teams’ third meeting, with VSU having won the previous two.

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NCAAFB Editor
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.