The regular season has ended for the two Division II HBCU football conferences, meaning we now know who will be competing in the championship games.
Virginia Union will go for the three-peat in the CIAA, facing a Johnson C. Smith team making its first championship game appearance since 1972.
Meanwhile, Albany State will host this year’s SIAC championship game against Benedict, a matchup of teams that hold three of the last four conference titles.
While these teams will fight for an automatic bid in the Division II playoffs, Kentucky State has a chance for an at-large bid as part of a deal between the SIAC and Conference Carolinas.
The Thorobreds will play in a bonus matchup against Shorter University, while Allen will play Erskine College.
Ranked sixth in the NCAA’s most recent Regional Rankings, a win could ensure Kentucky State’s place in the Division II playoffs, something they have never done.
Here is the Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II Football Poll for Week 11.
| Rank | Team | Week 9 Result | 2025 record |
| 1 | Albany State | 42-3 W vs. Fort Valley State | 9-1 |
| 2 | Virginia Union | 14-3 W vs. Virginia State | 9-1 |
| 3 | Johnson C. Smith | 26-21 W vs. Livingstone | 9-1 |
| 4 | Benedict | 16-13 W vs. Savannah State | 9-1 |
| 5 | Kentucky State | 55-0 W vs. Lane | 8-2 |
| 6 | Fayetteville State | 31-21 W vs. Winston-Salem State | 6-4 |
| 7 | Virginia State | 3-14 L vs. Virginia Union | 6-4 |
| 8 | Allen | 53-30 W vs. Edward Waters | 5-5 |
| 9 | Livingstone | 21-26 L vs. Johnson C. Smith | 5-5 |
| 10 | Edward Waters | 30-53 L vs. Allen | 5-5 |
