Week 12 in the SIAC

Nov. 9-11, 2006

Skegee/FAMU/FVSU

Week 11 Review and Week 12 Prognostications

Week 11 saw Albany St clinching the SIAC for the fourth straight year. All the AlbSU Ram faithful should be sending thank you cards to Tuskegee for opening a closed door. Congrats to AlbSU. In the MEAC, Hampton took one more step towards clinching the MEAC. In my brief review of last week’s work, AlbSU defeated FVSU in the Fountain City Classic…Lane squeaked by Benedict…Tuskegee needed overtime to dispose of Langston…Stillman upset Kentucky St…Miles convincingly defeated Morehouse. In the MEAC, Hampton is just another game away from yet another conference title with its victory over BCC…Delaware St. destroyed Concord…FAMU took care of business against NCA&T…Morgan St. spoiled NSU’s homecoming…SCSU had a happy homecoming and defeated Howard…SSU was totally destroyed by Coastal Carolina…WSSU was victorious against its former CIAA rival St. Aug…Last, but not least AAMU beat JSU in Jackson to gain control of the SWAC East. For the record, I was 11-2 overall, 4-1 in the SIAC, 7-0 in the MEAC, (yes, I’m throwing SSU in for this week), and 0-1 in my bonus SWAC pick. This is by far my best week of prognosticating. Now, let's try to keep the momentum going.

The Featured Games of Week Twelve:

Hampton vs Florida A&M in Tallahassee, FL:
FAMU has already had a better season than many folks (me included) thought they would under the circumstances. Even if they don’t win another game, they are good for a 6-5 season. Believe it or not, they actually cling to slim conference hopes. Let’s take it one game at a time. Hampton comes calling at Bragg Stadium. Except for their loss to SCSU, Hampton has shown that it’s the class of the MEAC. With a victory over FAMU, HIU can all but lock up another MEAC title and a NCAA bid. I think the SCSU game was the wake-up call that HIU needed to refocus them on the task at hand. Even though FAMU has been playing some pretty good ball in its own right, I see this one going the way of the 757 boys by a slim margin. 

Lane at Tuskegee in Tuskegee, AL:
Now that AlbSU has clinched the SIAC, the winner of this game will basically solidify the SIAC Pioneer Bowl participant if AlbSU gets an NCAA playoff berth. Of course, if AlbSU doesn’t get an NCAA berth, then they will be the SIAC Pioneer Bowl representative. Now that I have all of that out of the way, let’s get to the game itself. This is Homecoming at TU. We’re talking 25,000 + fans, not to mention all the motor homes that will be parked behind the stadium starting Thursday. Let’s not forget all of the food and beverage associated with tailgating, nor the parties, reunions, fashion shows, the campus full of vendors, etc… that make HBCU homecomings can’t miss events. These folks aren’t coming to see their team lose. Even though Lane has been TU’s homecoming fodder for several years running, this isn’t exactly the vintage Lane that TU has been playing name your final score with. That being said Lane still hasn’t beat a quality opponent all year. Did I say it was TU’s homecoming? The Golden Tigers won’t disappoint their visiting alums.

Elizabeth City St. vs North Carolina Central in Durham, NC (CIAA Championship):
I love you MEACFans so much (not to forget my fans over on Onnidan), I’m going to give you a bonus pick this week. We have the two best CIAA teams playing against each other. ECSU has emerged as one of this seasons’ surprise teams in HBCU football. NCCU arguably, may be the best HBCU football team of all, definitely one of the top two HBCU’s, regardless of classification. At any rate, as good as ECSU may have been this season, there’s no doubt about the fact that NCCU is definitely the class of the CIAA, and all of the Division 2 HBCU’s. That being said, I see the Eagles CIAA farewell party being a happy one. Eagles win the game, the CIAA, and prepare for a NCAA bid. NCCU is going to be a great addition to the MEAC.


SIAC GAMES
Langston vs Stillman in Tuscaloosa, AL:
This is Langston’s second Alabama visit in as many weeks. Last week, they had a late lead against TU, only to lose in overtime. Stillman is coming off of an upset of Kentucky State. I don’t think that Stillman is strong enough to beat Langston. Keep in mind that Langston’s losses have come against Midwestern Texas State, NCCU, and Tuskegee. Langston gets back in the win column. 

Clark Atlanta vs Miles in Birmingham, AL:
Even though CAU has the best team defense in the SIAC, Miles has a better overall team, plus they seem to have regained their momentum coming off of their bye week. Miles wins over CAU. 

Ft. Valley St vs Kentucky St. in Frankfort, KY:
Two teams with disappointing seasons. Both teams have nothing to play for but pride. With a win, KySU can salvage a winning season. I give KySU the nod. 
Albany St has completed its regular season and awaits either an NCAA playoff bid, or a Pioneer Bowl bid. Benedict and Morehouse have completed their seasons.


MEAC/SWAC GAMES
Delaware St. vs Norfolk St. in Norfolk, VA:
After a season that started with so much promise, NSU has just gone into the tank. On the other hand, DSU still has a chance at the MEAC, but needs to win out, plus get some help out of FAMU this weekend against Hampton. DSU has really played some good ball this season. This season is a sign of good things to come for the Hornets. DSU wins handily over NSU.

South Carolina St. vs Morgan St. in Baltimore:
Morgan St. has actually played some decent ball this year with their losses coming against teams either ranked, or with winning records. SCSU is probably the most disappointing HBCU team of 2006. They have gone from an NCAA playoff shoo-in to being on the sidelines come playoff time. Even though they do have a slim, outside chance of winning the MEAC, there are too many planets that have to align themselves for that to happen. All of that being said, SCSU has a chance to finish strong, and will do so, starting this weekend against MSU.

Howard vs Bethune Cookman in Daytona Beach, FL:
Judging by the recent success and standards set at the “World’s Most Famous Beach”, I’d say that this season is a mildly disappointing one for BCC. On the other hand, Howard has been in the “close, but no cigar” group this season. They have been blown out of only two games this season. Howard has played pretty good defense this season, but will it be enough to slow down the Wyattbone? I personally don’t think so. BCC wins a close game.

Elon vs North Carolina A&T in Greensboro:
To all of my Aggie friends, this season too shall pass. The future will be brighter. Until then, Elon.

Edward Waters vs Savannah St. in Savannah, GA:
Savannah St. will win its second game of the season. You heard it here first. This has been a tough year for our friend ElJay down there at EWC. 

SEE YA NEXT WEEK!!!