The RFC Offseason Schedule Tracker: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)-(NCAA Division II)

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)-(NCAA Division II)

Overview: It was a two-team race for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship in 2025, with the Virginia Union University Panthers from Richmond, Virginia,  finishing the regular season undefeated at 7-0 in conference play, while the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls from Charlotte, North Carolina, came in second place at 6-1. 

However, in the CIAA championship game on November 15, the Golden Bulls avenged a 28-10 regular-season loss to the Panthers on September 20 in a 45-21 blowout win. The victory over VUU gave JCSU its first conference title since 1969, giving the program its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

But both JCSU and VUU saw their postseason dreams get dashed in the first round of the D-II playoffs the following weekend, with visiting Frostburg State pulling off the upset over the Golden Bulls, 21-7, while the Panthers' season ended after losing to California (Pa.), 27-24. Johnson C. Smith's season ended at 10-2 overall, while the Panthers finished their campaign at 9-3 overall.

Looking ahead to 2026, the race for the CIAA could come down to the same two teams that played in the title game in 2025, with Virginia Union picked to finish first and Johnson C. Smith picked to finish second.

2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Football Final Standings

2026 CIAA Preseason Predictions (courtesy of the CIAA)

2026 Schedules 

313. Bluefield State

314. Bowie State

315. Elizabeth City State

316. Fayetteville State

317. Johnson C. Smith

318. Lincoln (Pa.)

319. Livingstone

320. Shaw 

321. Virginia State

322. Virginia Union

323. Winston-Salem State

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