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Ferg and this is CIAA versus everybody. This is the podcast where we focus in on the CIA as we are in the second half Chris of this uh of this football season. It's going by so fast. We say that every week, but it is literally now October, man. How you feeling uh how you feeling uh with the new month starting the fourth quarter? I'm I'm good. I mean, it's I feel like we're at that point where it's a little bit of a slog because there's just so many different story line still. I mean, things are kind of separated between the top and the bottom, but there's a clear line of separation there. But in between there, there's just a lot of different things to still factor in. And so, it's like pay attention cuz there's just so much going on right now in the conference. Yeah, man. Um, you know, last week, you know, you and I, uh, took the time to hand out some grades and, uh, you know, a week out, you know, there's there's some questions. Um, specifically the one, uh, the, you know, we looked last week at Buoie State versus Shaw. We'll talk about that game. That one, uh, was one that, you know, I think we both thought, you know, it had some potential there and we questioned Shaw's resume. Uh and and you know, we'll talk about whether or not that should still be questioned and maybe maybe you know, did Buoie get enough credit fa you know, based off of what they had, you know, who they had played before. Uh you know, uh Fville State, they uh they saw they probably saw what we said last week and they took that personally, you know, so yeah. um you know they they got the win stone coming and then uh hey you know there's uh there's still three teams waiting on their first win uh and I believe they all play each other so Mhm. there's a good chance we won't have any win list, but right now it's uh, you know, it's a lot of years. We have, you know, everybody a win by now, but right now we got three teams. Uh, and Bluefield State sitting down there all by itself at 0 and six. Um, yeah. All right, let's get to the, uh, scoreboard from October 3rd. JCSU put B to A in a big way on Bluefield State for its homecoming. I believe it was. I mean, I mean, you know, hey, you know, it's uh Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. And y'all get mad at me for telling the truth. Yeah. And then we had uh the rest of them uh not quite a BTA over VU uh VU uh VU versus ECSU. Uh and then uh you know Virginia State, they took care of business against Lincoln. Lincoln did score 32 points. So, you know, they continue to kind of to let up off the gas, I guess, a little bit defensively, but we'll talk there. But let's just kind of go to some of these other games, Chris, uh really quickly. We had VU at uh ECSU. Um I'm sorry, we had ECSU at VU. Um 53 yard touchdown uh run for ECSU and then they didn't score again. Kind of been the uh kind of been the story line there for for you know ECSU this year. They've gotten off to some some decent starts and uh and then after that things kind of fall off. Chris, your thoughts on that game? Well, I mean, I guess it's moral victory. I mean, somebody had to break that streak that VU had going where opponents were getting shut out left and right. So, I guess there's that and they had the lead. I mean, there's that. Um, but yeah, I mean, this was a game that um was definitely the weather affected it and you know, when you have uh games that where it's raining, that tends to favor the running game. And uh VU has that in loads. Um and so yeah, I mean, what can you say? Uh VU's defense is clamped down yet again. Um and uh you know, ECSU just sort of fizzled out like a flat can of soda. And so, uh yeah, I mean 20 points doesn't seem like a lot, but that pretty much was a that was a hill to climb for ECSU, and it just wasn't there. Um, so, you know, kudos again. Um, you know, VU played a really relatively cleaner game. Um, definitely were below average on the penalties as well. Um, so it it was a nice little way for them to uh to to to get a win um going into their by-week. Right. Right. Right. Uh yeah, and uh we'll go ahead and we'll talk about uh we got a couple instances of everybody knows
almost doesn't count. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Chris. I thought you were going to leave me hanging there. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. [laughter] Uh and that would be two of them. First off, let's start with uh let's start with Living Stone. Uh it was Stone coming over there uh in Salsbury and uh you know they were hosting Fyville State which two years ago they got a win against them uh on homecoming. Uh this year uh not so lucky. Uh there was a stoppage in play during the homecoming. I'm not exactly sure what that was due to but um I think it was weather. Weather right. So, so yeah, um you know what are we was it 21-0 deficit that uh Favville State decided to you know have an offensive explosion for them considering you know what they had done in recent in recent you know at the uh at you know especially compared to the last game. Uh what was working for Fanville State early on and and what and how did Living Stone find itself back in this game? Well, FSU had arguably their p their best passing game of the season. Uh Jirus Mes went for like 275 yards in this game. And you know, Livingston, you know, again, we've talked on the show this year about how their defense just hasn't been as good as it as it has been in recent years. and and Fable State, you know, especially after what happened against VU went back to the drawing board and clearly they're they saw something in order to get this get it done. Uh at least in the first half then and remember so the stoper play happened like at the beginning of the second quarter and they still were able to come out and get another seven points on on the on the board. Um, unfortunately it was a tale of two halves because uh they they must have left their special teams back in the locker room uh for uh Fable State and you know you give up two two scores because of special teams mishaps and you almost gave the game away. I mean, this game was like 2120 um in in the fourth quarter and so yeah, it just took a a really late score by uh VU uh Fav State in order to like sort this game away, but uh yeah, you we've seen a lot of teams that have special teams issues and that has cost them games. FA Fable State was the benefit of that in in week zero uh with what was happening against Shaw and now they almost kind of uh did their own version of that in this game. So, you know, they're they're fortunate to go into their by-week um on on a high note, but yeah, they got to shore that up. They that that hasn't been characteristic of them. They got to fix that. Yeah. So, um, you know, good win for Fedville State after getting shut out, scoring natada, not crossing and getting a single score, uh, going back home with the goose egg, however you want to say it. You know, that after not showing up, they they did enough to win. Uh, thoughts and prayers are with Living Stone. They had a student pass on their uh, on their campus on Monday. So, our thoughts and prayers are with them for that situation. Uh let's uh let's talk about Virginia State and Lincoln. So, I mean, again, we all know that Virginia State can score in a hurry. Uh and you know, the question is, you know, can they get off the field in a hurry? Talk to me about this game, Chris. RJ Matthews, another really good game. 356 passing yards, four touchdowns, no picks. Uh but yeah, um your thoughts on this game? I mean, at this point, FA, I mean, uh, Virginia State has all their wins are against FCS, uh, I'm sorry, D2 opponents and, uh, they've scored pretty much 40 plus in every game except for that Elizabeth City State game. Just talk about, um, where they stand and and kind of, you know, what we saw out of these two teams up there in Rochester, New York. Let me tell you, this was a fun game to watch, especially in the first half. I mean, when you look at the score early in the second quarter and you see Lincoln is winning 9 to7, you're like, what is going on here? This is another time where VSU was sort of sleepwalking. And then um even late in the second quarter, it was 2119. I mean, it was just it was like, holy cow, this is this is this is an interesting game. Lincoln had to go through some tr some um they had some hurdles they had to get through on this one. So, uh Jaden Triplet, their starting quarterback, um got knocked out of the game. Uh I think he may have gotten a concussion in this one. And so, uh the the backup came in um uh his name escapes me right now. Uh uh Michael Davis. There we go. and um and they kind of did a little bit of what I thought they needed to do um in order to be competitive, not be over overly reliant on their star receiver, uh Kyrie, uh Tyson, uh who is, you know, by and large the most productive receiver in the conference this year. Uh that they found some of their other receivers that gave them an opportunity um to try to keep pace with uh VSU. But the problem with VSU is that like they could just they could beat you with so many different receivers. Like the run game is like okay like they they got uh TJ Morai who's been able to u you know get the ball downfield um in some respects or in the red zone he's been you know relatively reliable. But man, when you got people like uh Kevin Gails who is always that home run threat for VSU. Um or you got uh uh Jaylen Prello who's kind of like an ultraable receiver. Um you you got uh Matthews R.J. Matthews who who's also willing to run the ball a little bit. I mean there's just so many um gosh there's so many things that that um that that ways in which VSU can hurt you. So yeah, I mean that that's really the story of the game here is every time Lincoln got a little bit closer, VSU responded. Yeah. So uh VSU moves to five and one. Uh all wins against all their wins against D2 opponents, which uh is interesting. It's still only it's still only good enough to rank uh third, I believe, in that uh unified division 2 H.B.CU CU poll Chris. Um, which is interesting. I I believe number one on the list, Edward Waters, has a win against the NIA team. But hey, you know, that's neither here nor there. No, actually, it is here or there. We can maybe talk about that a little bit later. I don't know. Maybe get some something off our chest. Maybe we'll pick apart that list this week. It wasn't on the rundown, but sounds like something fun to do. Um, [laughter]
fair enough. All right. So, let's see. Um, yeah. Well, we had our B to A of the day. Um, got to respect the champs. Uh, Fabian Duncan, 224 yards, three touchdowns, 25 carries. Just another day. Just another day at the office there for Mr. Duncan. Um, you know, Flowers emphasizes a veteran offensive line and daily preparation. And uh yeah, Morgan uh and and you know, if you're Bluefield State, they talked about emphasizing building habit, rebuilding habits, and leadership during their buy. If anybody deserves a buy, it is Bluefield State. Um yeah. Yeah. Um have we spent too much time discussing the Virginia schools while the defending champ keeps building its case in your eyes, Chris? Uh well, one thing I would just say is that uh um you know, JCSU is is not the sexiest team right now. They they they find way they just pummel people into the ground with that run game. And uh but they also have to realize, you know, Fabian Duncan is basic this year's version of Curtis Allen. I mean, with the way that he's just racking up yards. I mean, he's top 10 in the country in rushing yards, and that doesn't even consider uh Camaro Edmonds, who is fourth in the conference in rushing yards per game. I mean, good grief. I mean, what do you really say um to that? Now, I think there's been a lot more focus on the Virginia schools because JCSU feels like a kind of a maybe a a gimme right now that could return to the championship game, but by no means is their path going to be u any easier down the stretch. I think we're trying to figure out, you know, who's going to challenge them and then and then who potentially could keep them out of the championship game and and and the hopes are really, I think, a little bit higher um in some ways with VU. You know, they were VU was the the the coach's preseason number one and they were, you know, JCSU was ranked in one poll, VU was ranked in another poll so to start the season. So, I think that there's just equally as much focus on them and and um so yeah, I think that uh probably there's a lot of focus on the other two schools, but uh JCSU continues to be like that that threat um that uh people need to start paying attention to. Yeah, no doubt about it, Chris. And then uh we'll go to uh we'll go to uh this game that I thought was inter we thought was interesting coming in and that is Buoie State. uh you know, we saw them get, you know, take their bumps and bruises with back-to-back FCS teams and, uh, we saw them, you know, come away with a win against Elizabeth City State before before, uh, matching up against Shaw, who's coming in red-hot after that season opening loss to Favville State. They had reeled off four in a row. But, you know, Chris, let's give me your thoughts on this game and then we'll talk about uh more about whether or not Shaw was uh was fool's gold. Um, you know, after last week, man. Well, you know, I I I hate to say this because um it it's like looking backwards, but I felt like this was a game that was a trap game. And I wrote about that in my column that this was this is a trap game for Shaw and they cannot overlook this game because of the record and what Buoie did because Shaw was winning 10-7 and then Buoie took over this game and I turned my head. I went to another game. I came back like what is happening? Um what what really to me was it just all boils down to Shaw's like run defense or lack thereof. I mean Buoie State just wrote made them roadkill. They ran all over those guys and uh Shaw was doing everything that they could to keep up. Um I kind of chuckled at the uh at the announcers because I don't I they're not familiar with Shaw's game. You know, Shaw going for it on fourth down. um in their own territory did not shock me at all. I mean, they were very confident that they could pick up two yards. They ended up picking up a touchdown. And then another fourth down drive um later on in the second half, another fourth down play also scored. That's Shaw. They're not they they will go four downs. The problem is is every time Shaw tried to draw closer, Buoie State had a response and they were also chewing time off the clock and Shaw's not a not really a quick strike type of of of team on offense. And so, um, you they they went they were very methodical. They're down two scores and they're going very methodical down the field and and I'm just like, man, you're not going to leave any time on the clock to try to, you know, get this ball back to try to win the game. And uh so now we kind of see, you know, there there's a there's a blueprint here, right? Is run the ball um on Shaw and uh and and put their defense I mean their offense where they got to drive the length of the field. They might get there, but they're going to burn up so much time to do it that that uh you know, two scores puts them in a in a really bad spot. Two two scores down. So yeah, man. Um, so you know, again, you know, we talked about it last week when we were giving out grades. You know, Shaw, I mean, kudos to them. A four and one start is nothing to sneeze at. A lot of us would like to have four wins right about now, but you know, you know,
it's how it's how it's how our name starts. Uh but you know, but anyway, Chris, yeah, it's uh it's definitely you know, it definitely was uh you know, you you kind of can see this coming. I mean, I I you know, and I know you caught it you caught it a trap game. I started looking at their resume and I'm thinking, yeah, I don't know. And they didn't pass the buoy test. And you're talking about the run game. I think they do still have to play Johnson C. Smith, right? So this weekend Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah. Well, [clears throat] we'll get to that in a second. [laughter] There then they they they got to play VU. Don't they play VU? I think so. Yeah. Heaven helped them. So, um they're going to find some bare necessities or something to uh they're going to have to find some bare necessities or something to figure out how to scrap these run this run game. And uh do not be advised. I am aware of the Bronco who's worried about Ram business before he even asked about his own team in the comments. We see you, sir. We'll never be irrelevant as long as you care what we did or didn't do. [laughter] All right. Uh so not and not everyone can say that, right? No, nobody gives around what's going on over there on Merchesen this week. Anyway, enjoy your by week, fellas. All right. Um All right. So, let's uh Yeah. So, that that was last week. Uh, of course, uh the Rams were off. Uh who else had a bye-week? Were they the only ones that had a bye-week, Chris? Last week? They were the only ones. Yep. They were the only ones had a by week. Only by week. All right. So, so let's um let's uh let's give out some flowers. Um and I think you already did already. Kyrie Tyson from Lincoln. Um, man, you know, uh, heading into the second half of the season, he's got a legit chance at 1,000 yards. He's got 41 catches, three touchdowns, 11 for 130. Um, can Lincoln I mean, what what's Lincoln's issue right now? The bigger issue is that their defense or their run game because they should, you know, because they they they could have more than one win right now. It's the defense. I mean, the defense is still having a hard time stopping um stopping teams. So, you they're forced to try to truly outscore you. Um and uh that that's a real challenge when uh you're going to going against some potent teams. Now, the one thing to think about as we go through the rest of the season, you already kind of hinted on this, is like there's a roundroin almost for the top of the conference and there's a round robin for the bottom of the conference to see who's going to land in that very that basement. And so, you know, Lincoln's got to play with State. They play against ECSU. They've already played Bluefield and u so and they got to play Buoie. So, which you know, is Buoie really going to be in the top half or the bottom half of the conference is remains to be seen at this point. So, yeah. I mean, it's it's going to be real interesting. They they're going to have some chances at a win. Uh another win, I think. Yeah, Chris. Um let me see if I can pull up this uh let me see if I can pull up this uh black college football poll and see what we got D2wise before we get going. Uh let's see. is so we can kind of see where we stand because let's see. Let's see if I could pull it up here. I should have had that earlier, but here we go. And Chris, if you find it before me, that's that's fine, too. Um, I do want to I do want to kind of look at that. Um, dude, they got it on the CIAA Instagram. Let's see.
you are. Let's see here.
Or maybe the SIC has it. Do I even follow those? Of course I do. But uh let's see.
Yeah, it's something I haven't looked at as as much. Um, I've been a little bit more focused on the actual like nationwide polls lately, right? And uh, and which Edward Waters is in the top 25 and they kind of have taken the place of Kentucky State and in the top 25 of of that poll. So, yeah. Right. Right. Uh, let's see. See, I think I got the
man. Yeah, we're going have to do a I have to do a better job of finding that uh that poll. I think that's Dr. Cavville's uh Dr. Cavville's,
but I do want to pull that up.
Kind of hard to find, huh? Yeah. Yeah, it's it's it's a little bit more difficult than uh we'll see. I know. Well, that's not good. I mean, if this is a poll that they want to, you know, be elevated, um kind of need to see find it very quickly. And of course, the only and of course the D2 the D1 schools only share their poll. Um let's see.
Let's see. Shocker. All right. Let's see.
Yeah, I don't know.
I don't know on that one,
but I think Stephen, your concern was that uh the CIAA really isn't getting much love in that poll towards the top, huh? Yeah, I did see it yesterday. So Shaw is number Shaw was number nine. Uh we had god which scene was that? Fville State was down there. I No, Fville. No, Favville State was number nine. I think Shaw was seven after Benedict uh at six. And then in the the two, three, and four slots were all CIAA at VU at number two. You had VSU, I believe, at number three. And then you had Johnson C. Smith at number four. And Johnson C. Smith kind of hurt the CIAA's case with their loss to Benedict. Uh but you know um you know again Elbert Waters they're they're are they're five and one now even though one of those wins was against an NIA program and I know in that poll they kind of lumped the D2 and the NIA in together. Um but I mean you know Chris I mean you're you're you're voting in ballots. I mean I mean how many you know if you would uh divulge how many how many as you're voting in the uh the the uh the top 25 for for the D2 poll how many HB.CU are you able to actually put in there? Um, I I really just had to. Um, I I think uh JCSU still getting some love to me and um and then also uh uh whoever is at the top of the SIA which at this point [laughter] is Edward Waters. So, I've been kind of on that carousel as well u between uh u Waters, uh Kentucky State, Benedict as to who's going to be, you know, uh in that top 25. Man, it's it's like like they have there's so many teams at that top right now, but to me like the best out of conference win was Fable State and look at the schedule that they played. So that that's when you're kind of lost in the shuffle. Um and then also Kentucky State over Sagenov Valley. Um so that one is a really big one as well. And so I think you could make a still make a case that uh that KSU could be in that top 25 overall poll as well. I I just think that you know in in a case like this, the CIAA really did themselves a disservice by the way that they lost in week zero. um that you're going to have to consider the SIC to have those higher slots, everything else being equal at this point. Yeah, Chris, I mean, you know, luckily they're not in the same uh division, but it's just like last year when Winston beat Mars Hill. I mean, that was a good win, but then Winston only went four and six. So, Right. Exactly. I mean, you know, there's too much too much of that happening. That that's why I said Fable State is that team that um if they run the table, um they're still going to have a decent resume. Uh and they do this almost every year, it feels like because of how tough their schedule was to start the year. Um, but yeah, I I just you can't really argue against the results with having the SIC having, you know, maybe the top two slots in a poll like that. Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, what about Virginia State, Chris? I mean, does Virginia State have a CA a case given who they played? I know, you know, of course, they played one money game just like Edward Waters played a money game. That would didn't go so well for either of them, but other than that, all of their games are against division 2 competition. Granted, one of them was against a winless team and one of them's against link and one of them's against a one- win Lincoln team and uh one of them's against the two- win Buoie State team. So, you know, I I guess And Barton doesn't And Barton's got what what's Barton looking like this year? Oh gosh. Bart Yeah. Um, Barton is one and five. Barton Wait, say that again. Barton is one one win. One in five. It's not right. And I know y'all know better than that. Please stop. Please stop. Stop it, man. Good god. Do they they don't do they have a And then they beat ECSU. Beat ECSU. Yep. The Lord have the question. Yeah. So it's like who have they played? That that's the question for them. And y'all get mad at me for telling the truth,
man. Damn. I was trying to make a case for them with all all of them being D2 wins, but my god. Yeah. Talk about talk about the bottom of an unpressive barrel. Uh let's see. All right.
The bottom of an unre unpressive barrel. It's not right. And I know who believes that. Because if you believe that, I need to go and get my psychological assessment kit. If you believe that, I need to go and get my psychological assessment kit and you need an intelligence test right now. I need to give you the Wexler adult intelligence scale. That's what I need to give you. Let's see what that IQ score looking like. You you seen my brother Virginia State hasn't quite played anybody just yet. And we over here talking about a top 25 ranking for a team with a conference that a a schedule that is below well below 500. Now does that make sense my brother but you don't have to take my word for it man. And then they got living stone to sleep. [clears throat] Rinse and repeat man. They got they going to have to run the table, man. Um well, you know, they will play Johnson C. Smith. Um so, [clears throat] and yeah, they will have to play Johnson C. Smith and VU, so that'll help. But my god, that that talk about talk about talk about uh [laughter] talk about screwing the pooch. Oh, yeah. Um yeah. Um All right. So All right. Yeah. Well, shut my mouth. shut my mouth. VSU, my god. I mean, you play who's on your schedule, but damn. Um, all right. All right. All right. So, uh, let's let's get into let's get into this week, Chris. Uh, we've got we've got in uh we've got Lincoln at ECSU. Lincoln has shown offensive progress and ECSU has has not well I think everything in perspective here. Um I I think ECSU has had some progress for sure. Um I really like the emergence of uh Amir Brazwell, their running back. Um, and then Trey Manley is now the starting quarterback and he's got some dual threat ability. I mean, the problem is is that just the the the teams that they've gone up against. Um, yeah, th those teams don't allow you to stick around for very long. uh between what VSU and VU were able to do. Uh they're able to do the one thing that uh you know some other schools may not be able to do and that's wear you down. Um they got the depth. Um Lincoln, they don't have much of a pass defense and that's their problem which I think ECSU can take advantage of. It's at ECSU and I believe it is it is homecoming. It is. So there's a lot there. ECSU homecoming games are always very fascinating. Like they're always um entertaining and so uh it's is it's worth a watch. I mean because Lincoln is not a pushover uh like they have been in in uh prior years. I think the question is does Jaden Triplet play? Um, you know, that's a big question mark, but um, uh, Michael Davis could certainly, you know, step in and relief if necessary, but I think that that's a big question for them. So, all right, let's look at uh, let's look at Living Stone at VSU. Um, can Living Stone fast start fast enough to make homecoming uncomfortable? because it is homecoming over in Etric. Um, yeah. So, Liver Stone's basically going to be uncomfortable two homecomings in a row. Um, [laughter] so again, they don't have a pass defense that's not going to hold up. This is VSU we're talking about. This is the Kevin Gails and Prelo and Ordin and and Matthew show. Um, and then, uh, yeah, I'm I'm really curious to see what Living Stone's going to be able to do against VSU's defense, though, because VSU's defense is not has not been necessarily lights out here. U, they've been just okay, and they have been prone to giving up some bigger plays as well, which was no different than last year. Um the pro Living Stones offense is not going to be like um consistent enough I don't think to stay in this game. Um so whereas VSU can move the chains and do a lot of different things. So I think it's going to be a happy homecoming for the Trojans. Okay. All right. Well, they do have first take coming. Um so on Friday and then College Hill, they're going to honor College Hill as well. Did you ever watch Kylus? Briefly I did. Um lots of lots of drama from that show if I remember correctly. Um that uh they started moving around to different campuses cuz I think nobody wanted them. So yeah, I heard that they were supposed to come to Winston at one point and that and that got shut down from Blair Hall. So yeah, I don't blame him. Yeah. Um, all right. Then we've got Shaw at JCSU. Can Shaw change the C championship conversation after losing to Buoie? Come on, computer. That That's a bit ambitious, don't you think? Uh, but hey, we just talked about it. SH has shown that their running offense, I mean, their run defense is not good and then they can't score very fast, which means that if Johnson C. Smith to me if John C. Smith just decides that it wants to just stop being trying to be cute and run the ball. I don't know about this one, Chris. Could he get could this one uh could this one get ugly? Could we have a a potential B to A here? Well, interesting. These these two teams come into this game as um holding on to the ball the most uh on average. uh 33 minutes a game that they both hold on to the ball. So only 60 minutes in the game unless you go to overtime. And the question is can they get the overtime and I just don't see that happening. Um so um I guess I need to talk to the downtown Raleigh boys for a little bit here. Um, you are giving up one of the worst amount of yards in the conference in rushing right now and you're going up against the top team. I know your running game is really good. I get it. You got uh the two Fabians going at each other in this game. I mean, that that's that's amazing. The top four rushers are in this game um for yards per game. The problem is is that living I mean let me stop. Johnson C. Smith gives up very little yards in the rushing attack. 121 yards that they give up. Um no it's less than that. It's less than that. Um there. Let's see. I'm looking it up right now cuz I had to get get my numbers right. But I remember seeing it and uh Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 100 101 yards a game on the ground. So that means that Shaw is going to really be tested um in in what how good their running game is going to be. It's a pretty big step up um in this game and to not have um uh to to have done what they've done against Buoie is is not good. Um, I would like to see Shaw get to five wins. It may not come to later in the season, but I think that getting to five wins is huge, huge improvement from what they had last year. Um, unfortunately, um, JCSU is going to score win by multiple scores in this game, I think. Well, what are your thoughts about this? Six rushing touchdowns. Uh that would be 42 points. I don't know about that. Um we just saw JCSU just get to 50 for the first time this year and that was against a very helpless um Bluefield State. Um and in this game, all these other games they played relatively close. Um JCSU isn't exactly a a quick strike team either. Um, so this is a game that can go by really quickly uh with all the running and um and there'll be some passing. Both try to use the pass to to keep the other team's defense honest, but um no, I I I think that you know this this the winner will probably be in the in the low30s is where I see it. Uh I think both teams will get the double digits. Um, but I I just I'm not very confident um in uh uh uh Shaw's defense to to say that they can keep up. So, all right. And then uh final game that we're looking at here, Buoie State comes down to Bowman Grey Stadium to face the well-rested Winston Salem State Rams. Uh who are coming off of a coming off a season high 19 points in a 30point loss to Virginia State. And you got a Buoie State team that's feeling really good about themselves. with back-to-back wins against ECSU and Shaw and they come down to Winston Salem. Yeah, Chris, what are your thoughts on uh on this game? Uh is uh yeah, what are your thoughts on this game? We we'll just start there. Um well, my bed is right behind me and I just want to go to sleep. Wake me up when it's next season because uh this is just Yeah, this is this is not going to be pretty either. Um, Bulldogs by 10. I think it's gonna be higher than that. I I think I think I think Clarence is be a little generous there. I think it's going to be a little bit higher. You know, now Lord have mercy. I [laughter]
It's a long way from last season, Stephen. Um, but, uh, we talked about Shaw, right, and their, um, rush defense. Who is worse in the conference than Shaw in rush defense? It's not right. And I know y'all know better than that. Please stop.
[gasps] Yeah, there's two teams that are worse than Shaw. Shaw gives a 200 yards game. Uh Bluefield State is giving over 230 yards. And then dead last um is Daryl Winston Sale State giving up 240 yards. Um and uh yeah, this is this is this is not good. The defense just can't stop, folks. The third down conversion rate is for the defense is way too high. Um you know, the the the big question mark is who starts a quarterback for W State. um um you know, is it going to be Florentino Lopez um who was in in concussion protocol or do you turn it over to uh Braden Jeff who had a pretty good showing towards the end of uh Virginia State. Um, so now you basically have gone through like um the the the guys who were on the team last year, it's not working out. So we're turning to turning the guys that coach Woodbury has recruited um and see what they can do. So that's going to be a big question mark to see what happens. You know, Wo State plays inspired when they're at home. That's always been the case over the years. Um, but the two guys you need to know uh for Buoie State uh who I think are going to do a lot of damage is uh Maximus Jones who was a uh allconerence [snorts] selection for preseason and uh Daniel Kohl's Jr. and Kohl's is a like a wrecking ball. Um and that doesn't count you know if they try to go over the top they certainly got some receivers that can do that too. So um Buoie's pass defense isn't great. I think that gives Winston a chance if they can't get the ball out. Um that that does uh give him a chance as well. Um but they they got to be able to stop the run. Um Winston is really not great at the run in terms of running the ball themselves. Um so man, there's a lot there's a lot of question marks. Um and Buoie feels like the known commodity right now and Winston just feels like, you know, they're still trying to figure it out. So, um, unfortunately, uh, I I I'm definitely leaning towards, uh, uh, Buoie State and, uh, yeah, if the weather holds up, I think that the score will be the the margin will be a little higher than 10. I think it'll be more like 17.
Well, you know, it's Hall of Fame weekend. You know, maybe uh maybe that'll inspire people. Hell, maybe some of the guys have some eligibility left. So, you know, maybe maybe [laughter] they'll find their way. There's a couple defensive guys going in, you know, give them a couple give them a series or two. Yeah, man. Um, yep. Yep. Yep. All right, let's keep on moving. Um, yeah. So, let's uh let's uh let's talk about something. Let's let's let's talk about something more pleasant. Um, let's talk about uh let's look our go back to our grading a little bit, you know, our midterm, our personal midterm analysis. Um, give me a grade that you still defend that you still defend right now. That still looks as good as it did last week. Um, I mean, the easy one is to pick one of the A's, right? So, I won't do that. That's just too easy. Um, you know, I have Shaw at a B minus. I still think that that's a appropriate grade for them at this point in time. Uh, we know that they are going to have to play some interesting games. Um, the the competition level ramps up significantly. I'm just really curious to see sort of how they hold up over the next this stretch now. Um because the stretch is uh JCSU and then I think they play VUU after this. Um and uh so that's a pretty hefty um um two teams play here. So I I still think B minus is appropriate. Um, and just like I think that Lincoln I had Lincoln as a as a C. I think it was a C minus and I thought that that was appropriate as well. Okay. All right. Uh, yeah. Let's go to let's see. And the answer is no. WSSU has never gone winless before since it start since it started playing football in 1940. It has never gone winless. Oh my gosh. Couple one win seasons there in uh the last year in division one and then the year before uh before coach Bill Hayes got there. You know, WSU has not gone.
Um and they still got Bluefield, ECSU, and and Lincoln. So, I'm not going to give them winless. I think they're going to win at least one one or two of those. I feel better about saying two after they get one, but I have a feeling they're going to win. They're going to they're going to come out with some wins. Um, but yeah, let's see. Um, all right. So, I had some a couple other things we're going to talk about, too. Uh, one grade that right now you're looking like you would change. I mean, it was only one week, but in that week, are there any grades that you would change or you sticking by? Uh, I'm sticking by him right now. Um, possible grades that could change could be. Uh, now somebody mentioned like Winell State with a F. You know, if Winell State goes winless, if they lose to Bluefield State, which they play after this week, then yes, I would. At home, I would downgrade that to an F. Absolutely, 100%. I don't even care what happens in the rest of the season at that point. Um it it will definitely be downgraded. Um but um yeah, I think like the grade for uh Lizard City is not looking not looking too hot either. Um you know, Lizard City and Winston, they got to play. Um so there's that. Um but uh I'm really curious to see, you know, how Lincoln uh uh plays over the next couple games as well as possible upgrade. Buoy State uh I think is uh fulfilling what I thought that they could do which makes me feel good about possible upgrade as well. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Seriously, no bias. I I again when I look at who they played and how they played in the games they played, I don't think I don't think that they're I don't think that I I don't think that they're they're they're that I think that you know I think we'll see they'll pick up a win or two. Well, Stephen, you you mentioned something that was really important last week, right? Like like Winston's schedule has been actually much tougher than what people may give it credit for. Um, so because of that, to me, I think that like they kind of played a schedule that was like not far off of what Fable State played. Uh, and so now they're getting to the the what should be the easier part of the schedule. Uh I think that uh that will definitely give some opportunities for Winston to pick up a win um somewhere. Yeah, I think that I think they're kind see this is serious. I think they're I think if they can keep their confidence and and learn and learn from their mistakes. They have I think they have enough talent to pick up uh three I would say over this last five games. They could win they could win three. They could beat they could beat ECSU, Lincoln, and uh and Bluefield State and you know, we'll see. Um but yeah. All right. Uh let's uh also look at uh any player whose stock rose over the week. Was there one guy who's rose over the week or somebody who dropped maybe? I don't know. Um um M Michael Davis, the the the quarterback at Lincoln for being able to step into that game and continue that offense, making that offense move. Um definitely was uh somebody who um was a stock up uh for me. And so I think that's why it's going to be really interesting to see who plays at that position um uh this particular go around. Okay. All right. You know what? And let's let's look real look real quick, Chris, and look at these schedules of the rest of the way for these for these top three that we've kind of established to see who who has the clearest path to Salem. Um, this is Johnson C. Smith. They've got Shaw on Saturday. Then they will host Lincoln on their homecoming the 17th. They will then travel to Buoie, Maryland on October 24th. [clears throat] Uh, and then they will go home to face VSU and then they have to head up to the Smurf turf over there in uh, Salsbury. No lights will be nec no lights will be necessary for this game. Well, I don't know. It's at 2:00 p.m. [laughter] Um, yeah. Um, I don't know, Chris. I mean, I look at this, there's some potential landmines there. Yeah, VSU.
Yeah. Oh, you looking for somebody else? I don't see it. Oh, man. I You I mean I Yeah. I mean, I see VSU. I see I I see maybe Buoie and I'll be honest, I I see maybe Living Stone at the end of the season. I It's It's in It's It's It's in Salsbury. It's in Salsbury on the Smurf turf. This is Johnson C. Smith's real rival. This is Living Stone's real rival. So, you know, they're gonna, you know, I you know, and we saw two years ago now. Now, of course, they are, you know, they have grown since two years ago, but last year they la, even last year, even last year, as good as Johnson C. Smith was, they had a bit of a fight with the Blue Bears in Charlotte on Betty's Ford Road. So strange things happen in Salsbury. I mean that's just what it is. And what whatever hap whatever happens like Living Stone always gets up for that game and plays up to this level that you're like where has this been all season? So um so yeah, you're right. That's definitely that's going to be a a a landmine that never goes anywhere. And you know, if if they drop that game to Virginia State, then you almost have to wonder like, oh man, like you know, we know Livingston's going to play them tough. Could they fall back into the trap that happened two years ago, two seasons ago, where they crashed out of the playoffs? U so yeah, you're right. You're definitely right. Yeah, man. I'm just I'm just really curious. So, let's go over to Virginia Union. Let's see what they got. Let's see what they got going.
All right, sitting here pretty at five and one after that ugly first game. Uh they've got Buoie um and this is a refrain you will see. They've got Buoie uh on the 17th, then they get Shaw at home, then they go up to Philly to face Lincoln, and then VSU. Um, obviously the VSU game is, you know, one that will be there, but I mean, you know, uh Mhm. your thoughts here? Uh, well, uh, to me, you still going to like like VSU I mean, VU is not um, they're not an offensive juggernaut for sure. I mean, Right. Right. That's exactly what I was thinking. So you they're really leaning on their defense to to make things happen and they're playing um field field position in a lot of these games. And so, um, yeah, I think it's going to be two, three out of the four could be really interesting, but, uh, in the end, I think it's just going to be Virginia State and Virginia Union, um, face facing off on each other to try to get into the, uh, championship game. All right, let's look at Virginia State football schedule cupcake. Uh, let's see. [laughter] also
sitting pretty at five and one. Uh but uh they got the Livingstone game this week. Got Shaw down. They got to go down to Shaw. Uh that you know, strength on strength. That'll be interesting. They got Johnson C. Smith and they got VU. I mean, do they have who has the who has the who has the the the schedule that is most prone to running themselves out of the CIAA champion to batting themselves out of the CIAA championship race? Well, it's VSU. I mean, you got you're still playing a Shaw team that still should have a winning record. You you unlike JCSU and VU, they don't play each other in the regular season and somehow VSU got both of them on the schedule. So, um, by far they they had all their fun early in the season and now the real fun begins, you know, after what should be after Living Stone. Um, so yeah, uh, you know, Shaw's not a gimme, but I do think that they'll get past them and then they got two to deal with. And uh that's why I say I think that um the winner of the the JCSU VSSU game will definitely control their destiny and um could get in regardless I think into the championship game and then it's just going to be um these two. Now you know Shaw's got two losses in conference. Buoie State only has one loss in conference. So you can't rule out Buoie but we're going to find out about them. um you know, not this week, but but soon. Well, and Char still they're both technically I guess Char's not technically mathematically eliminated. [laughter] Uh they're not mathematically eliminated yet. Uh you got to think that if you lose two if you lose two conference games, you got to hope that you lost to the right teams. Um you know, so there there's that middle there. Um, and I would put Favville State in the middle now with Shaw and with Buoie. I think those would you say that those are the three? Well, well, it's a it like this week's a must-win game for Shaw because they do have two conference losses now. They lost to F State to start the season. Yeah, they lost to F State to start the season. That was a conference game and and now they lost to Buoie. So, this is a must-win game or else they for all practical purposes are eliminated from the championship game itself. Um, so it's a must-win um for Shaw. It is their championship game essentially. Yeah. Yeah. And Favville State is off this week, but Favville State also has two conference losses. And it's to the two it's to the two that you don't want to lose to because it's the two it's Johnson C. Smith and Vu, you know. So that means you put yourself behind both of them. So they're playing for that third place game right now. Like let's let's just be honest. Well, let's just be honest. The third place game it to me is the Favville State Invitational.
They they used to be they used to be the consistent runner up in the conference. I did call them Fagville's second university for many years. And now they [laughter] I remember that Fville Second University and now they've got the third place game in Durham. So, you know, um but hey, they're they're always in the mix. So, there's that. Not Not everybody can say that. Um so, yeah. Yeah. Um it's going to be very interesting. Uh yeah, I I see. I I don't know, man. I So, give me give me an upset, Chris. Come on. Let's be bold. Let's have some fun. Give me an upset over this next couple, you know, these last four weeks, four or five weeks of the season, man. Give me give me an upset cuz we know there's going to be one. It's very rare that teams just roll through and not get one. Um maybe it kind of didn't happen last year, but you know, there's always Elizabeth City State beating VSU when they're 8 and 0 or Fville State beating, you know, Johnson C. Smith when they're 8 and0 or a Chawan beating, you know, a Chawan beating a VU or somebody else. Come on. Come on. There's a game out there, Chris. Come on. Put your put your antenna put your put put your Rams horns up, man. And put your Rams horns up, man. And and give me and give me a potential upset that will shake up the CIAA. If you had to bet on one, if I had to bet on one, I would go with uh Living Stone and JCSU uh would be my pick overall. Um [sighs and gasps] beyond that, oh man. O Yeah. Yeah. Cuz you got a s I mean you got John C. Smith. I mean that one one loss to a Living Stone wouldn't keep them out of the championship game if they ran the table everywhere else. It wouldn't. But depends on how that JCSU VSU game goes. Then we could run the risk of a reap if if if that were to happen. We we've already seen the blueprint. We've seen the blueprint uh you know with uh JCSU losing two games at the end, VSU winning the right game or the right game not being counted against them. Uh and and then you get a rematch at the two Virginia schools. So yeah. Yep. Um, I think if there's like additional chaos, then the additional chaos to me would be um VSSU beating Johnson C. Smith. You know, that that was a close game last year and um so I'm pretty sure that they want to get that back last two years if I'm not mistaken. So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, I think that's another one that could be uh right for the taking as well. Could get spooky on Baby's Floyd Road on Halloween. That part. All right. All right. Well, look guys, we uh Yeah, we're going to go ahead and get ready to land this plane. Chris, um where are you going to be at this weekend, man? I'm going be at home. um hoping to uh not drown in the remnants of the uh hurricane that's coming. Ah, okay. Buckle down there. Yeah. Well, I'll be of course I'll be at uh Old State U Winston Salem State University for those who are uninitiated. Um it's it's Hall of Fame weekend. So excited to uh excited to uh you know see all the Hall of Famers and bask in the glory of the illustrious history of Winston Salem State because right now when it comes to football history is uh we're we're looking for the p we're looking to the past and hoping for the future but uh the present it would just be great to get a win. Uh yeah, man. But uh yeah, Chris, so uh we are now in October. The pretenders and the the pretenders and the contenders are separating themselves. So, we're having fun with it. Hope you guys are enjoying it as well. Uh please be sure to uh you know, put us in the chat. Come on, give us your chaos picks for CIAA 2026 because we all know that the C in CIAA stands not for colored anymore. Not even really for central, but for chaos. Yes, chaos is what I'm going for. Yes. Let them all suffer. All right, guys. [laughter] Until the next time. Peace. Oh, wait. Where?