Week 13 in the SIAC

Nov. 18, 2006

Skegee/FAMU/FVSU

Week 12 Review and Week 13 Prognostications

Where has this season gone? It was just a few weeks ago when we were making our preseason predictions. Believe it or not, week 12 was the last week with a full slate of games. Except for three upsets, this week went according to plan. We had three of our HBCU’s gain playoff berths, and a fourth all but certain of a berth. Lets take a moment and give it up for Albany St., Elizabeth City St., NCCU, and Hampton, by virtue of their MEAC championship, for gaining playoff berths. I’m hoping that we can have both Hampton and one of the D-2 playoff entrants run the table and win it all. 

Last weekend in the SIAC saw Clark-Atlanta upend Miles…Kentucky St. edged Ft. Valley…Stillman surprised Langston, and Tuskegee continued its dominance of Lane and the Cole Brothers. 

In the MEAC, Delaware St. continued its march towards a possible playoff berth with a convincing victory over Norfolk St…Elon dominated the hapless A&T Aggies…Hampton handed FAMU one of its worst losses ever in Bragg Stadium…SCSU had a convincing victory over Morgan St.

In other games, NCCU edges Elizabeth City for the CIAA title in the CIAA Championship game…and finally, SSU defeated Edward Waters. Overall for the week, I was 8-3, 5-1 in the MEAC, 2-2 in the SIAC, and 1-0 in my lone CIAA pick.

Now on to my upcoming predictions: 

The Featured Games of Week Thirteen:

Bethune Cookman vs Florida A&M in Orlando, FL (27th Annual Florida Classic):
Both teams come into this game struggling. FAMU has already had a better season than many folks (me included) thought they would under the circumstances. Even if they don’t win this game, they are good for a 6-5 season. As far as BCC is concerned, this has to be somewhat of a disappointing season. While no one expected BCC to unseat Hampton, or finish ahead of SCSU, I think the Wildcat faithful did expect just a little more than what was delivered. This game means the difference in BCC having a winning season or a losing season. Both teams are coming off of bad losses to both of the HU’s. The question is which of these teams will be able to recover from last week’s debacle the best. Even though there are no championship implications associated with this game, rest assured that bragging rights are always on the line. Now on to who’s the winner. In my opinion, it’s the fans. TFC is of the best overall atmospheres anywhere in HBCU football, not to mention all the tailgating, parties, reunions, and other events surrounding this weekend. Those of you HBCU fans that aren’t connected to either school owe it to yourself to experience this classic at least once. As for the prediction that you have been all waiting for, I just don’t think that defense will be the order of the day on Saturday. With nothing on the line but statewide bragging rights, look for both coaches to have a lot of tricks up their sleeves on Saturday. I see a high scoring event with FAMU prevailing by a couple of points.

Delta State vs Elizabeth City St. in Elizabeth City, NC (NCAA D-2 Playoffs, Round 1):
First of all, let’s give it up for ECSU for winning a playoff berth. ECSU is definently one of the surprise teams of HBCU football this season. Their only two losses are to Newberry (AlbSU’s playoff opponent), and a NCCU team that is arguably the best HBCU football team of all. Delta St. is no slouch, either. They come into this game with an identical 9-2 record. Hopefully, ECSU will not choke as so many of our HBCU’s do when playing against PWC competition. Delta St. is a team with several playoff appearances. Considering the fact that Delta St. has a really long trek from Mississippi to NC, that ECSU is the home team, seems to be a well coached, well disciplined team, I’m going to go with ECSU on this one to advance to the second round.

Albany St vs Newberry in Newberry, SC (NCAA D-2 Playoffs, Round 1):
Now, lets give it up for Albany St. for their winning a playoff berth. They travel to Newberry, SC to play Newberry. During the season, it was Newberry’s powerful offense in contrast to AlbSU’s stingy defense. While I don’t see Newberry scoring a lot of points in this contest, the question is will the AlbSU offense show up. It can be said that AlbSU’s offense was good enough to win the SIAC, but the problem is, being good enough in the SIAC probably isn’t good enough to win in the playoffs. As much as I would like to see AlbSU win this contest, I really feel that their offense, which has been their Achilles heel all year, will keep them away from victory. I’m pulling for AlbSU to represent HBCU’s in general, the SIAC in particular, but unless their offense makes an appearance, it’s going to be a tough trip back to Albany. 

NCCU has a first round playoff bye. Hampton awaits its playoff seeding. 

MEAC GAMES

Delaware State vs Howard in Washington:
Both teams come off of impressive victories. DSU may possibly have a playoff berth waiting. Even though your humble writer thinks it may be a long shot, my gut feeling says that DSU may sway some voters with an impressive victory on Saturday. At any rate, Howard played some of its best ball on last Saturday against BCC. That being said, DSU is just too strong of a team with too many weapons to lose to Howard. Again, DSU could have a possible playoff berth on the line, so I expect them to respond accordingly. DSU wins.

South Carolina St. vs NC A&T in Charlotte:
For SCSU, it’s about finishing what was supposed to be a championship year on a positive note, For A&T, it’s just about getting this season over with and building on this season. Even though this is a rivalry game that’s for the bragging rights of the Carolinas, SCSU will be able to score at will on its canine cousins from NC. SCSU in a rout.

Winston-Salem St. vs Norfolk St. in Norfolk:
After a season that began with so much promise, NSU has come back down to earth. Maybe, I should more appropriately say that they have come crashing back down to earth. As for WSSU, they have played the MEAC really tough this year. With a little offense, they could possibly have had a winning season. With a victory, WSSU can finish the year at 5-6, not bad considering the unproductiveness of their offense. WSSU finished the season on a winning note.

Tidbit:
Tuskegee had been extended an invitation to play in this year’s Pioneer Bowl in Charlotte. The opponent is yet to be named, but all indications point to Johnson C. Smith as the potential opponent, getting the nod over Virginia Union. Being located in Charlotte definitely helps JCSU’s chances. Their participation should help boost attendance of the PB.

Be back next week with extensive previews of the Turkey Day and Bayou Classics!!!