SIAC Teams Edward Waters and Albany State Set for Conference Carolinas Matchups

Edward Waters and Albany State head to Conference Carolinas

Edward Waters and Albany State are preparing for road matchups against Conference Carolinas opponents on Saturday, Nov. 14, according to a release from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

The matchups are part of a specific scheduling alliance designed to extend the season for programs that do not advance to their respective conference championships. Under this agreement, two SIAC institutions that fail to qualify for the 2026 SIAC Football Championship will travel to face two Conference Carolinas institutions that are also not competing in their league championship.

This cross-conference arrangement provides additional high-stakes competition for mid-season programs. It offers a way to maintain momentum and provide visibility for student-athletes whose championship aspirations ended earlier in the November schedule.

Matchup details for Week 11

The Edward Waters University Tigers carry a 6-4 overall record and a 5-3 record within the SIAC into their contest. They will travel to Murfreesboro, N.C., to face Chowan University, which holds a 6-4 overall record and a 5-1 standing in Conference Carolinas. The kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Garrison Stadium.

Albany State University enters the weekend with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-3 record in SIAC play. The Golden Rams are scheduled to visit Shorter University in Rome, Ga. Shorter currently sits at 3-7 overall and 2-4 in Conference Carolinas. This game will also begin at 1 p.m. ET at Barron Stadium.

SIAC Team	Overall Record	SIAC Record	Opponent	Opponent Record (CC)	Location
Edward Waters	6-4	5-3	Chowan	6-4 (5-1)	Murfreesboro, N.C.
Albany State	5-5	5-3	Shorter	3-7 (2-4)	Rome, Ga.

Fans looking to watch these games can access live streams via the SIAC Network at siacnetwork.tv.

The impact of scheduling alliances

The scheduling alliance serves a practical purpose for NCAA Division II athletics. By bridging the SIAC—a conference primarily composed of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)—with Conference Carolinas, the agreement maximizes the utility of the late-season schedule.

For the participating institutions, these games are more than just filler. They represent critical opportunities for regional exposure and meaningful interconference competition. For the athletic departments, these matchups can help maintain fan engagement and alumni interest even when the primary conference championship path has closed.

While some critics of such alliances argue that non-championship games can dilute the intensity of a season, the data suggests that providing structured, competitive windows for these programs prevents the “dead zone” often seen in late November. It ensures that the economic and social benefits of game days—from local vendor sales to campus engagement—continue through the end of the month.

The SIAC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, continues to manage a diverse athletic portfolio across a seven-state footprint including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio. This specific alliance shows regional Division II conferences are cooperating more to stabilize their football schedules.