Week 3 in the SIAC

Sept. 9

Skegee/FAMU/FVSU

Week 2 Review and Week 3 Prognostications 

Week two is history.  While I did a little better this week than last week.  I’m not sticking my chest out and strutting over a 9-6 record this week.  Needless to say, this weekend wasn’t kind to the postseason aspirations of our HBCU’s.  I don’t have a Chinese calendar here in my study, but if the last weekend is any indication, 2006 isn’t the year of the dog, or any other variations of the dog such as the Aggie. Let’s take a quick look back at last week, and a look ahead into next week’s crystal ball.    

Da Review from Week Two:
AlbSU had Valdosta on their radar screen, but got out head butted in the end. Close game, but unfortunately, this isn’t horseshoes. Ft. Valley actually proved that they could score a touchdown or two this weekend. Benedict beat what’s arguably the worst team in all of HBCU football in SSU. Miles didn’t get the memo that hibernation is over, and KySU acted more like mules than thoroughbreds on this past weekend. Lane is 2-0 for the first time in the Internet era, and CAU barely got into the win column. The MEAC really let me down this weekend. Thank God for Hampton and, of all teams, NSU for keeping the MEAC off the slide. 


The co-featured games of week 3:

Ft. Valley vs Valdosta St: 
We have a D-II powerhouse in Valdosta that’s not quite hitting on all cylinders just yet against the 2-0 FVSU Wildcats. Not trying to be a party pooper, but the 2-0 record is courtesy of CAU and Morehouse, not exactly the elite of HBCU football. FVSU has a chance to really make a statement in this game, but my gut feeling is that they are going to blow the opportunity like most of our HBCU’s often do against PWC competition. Even though I pick Valdosta by a touchdown, I really hope that FVSU proves me wrong. 

Hampton vs Howard in Hampton, VA:
Another contest in the annual battle for the “real HU”. This year’s “real HU” title won’t reside on Georgia Ave, but will reside about 200 miles to the south. Even though Hampton shot themselves in the foot time and time again on Saturday, I think Coach Taylor is going to have a couple of “Come to Jesus” practices to refocus the Pirates on the business at hand.

AAMU vs Grambling in Huntsville, AL:
Early game that pits two teams favored by many to win the SWAC. Look for the Bullpups to be on the prowl in this one. Came away from the MEAC-SWAC challenge less than impressed with GSU’s Coach Spears decision-making abilities. Make that a lot less than impressed.

SIAC GAMES

Morehouse vs Lane In Atlanta:
True enough, Lane is 2-0, but the truth is that they still have yet to really play anyone of consequence. Not saying that DaHouse is necessarily the best measuring tool for an opposing team, but Lane’s performance against DaHouse will go a long way in answering the question; Are they legit? They may be legit, but not legit enough to beat MHC in Atlanta.

Tuskegee vs Miles in Tuskegee:
On Thursday night, the Miles Bears played like a team still in hibernation. After Saturday, they are going to wish that they had never left the cave. TU has had a week to work on a defense that leaked points like my old car in college leaked water during a thunderstorm. I’m sure that Coach Slater has worked out these kinks, as well as the kinks on offense. TU wins the game


Kentucky State vs Albany State in Frankfort KY:
AlbSU has come up short against two quality opponents so far this year. KySU’s lone victory came against a program just a few years of existence. As Granddad used to say, “You can’t win the Kentucky Derby running a mule”. KySU played like mules, no, make that more like old nags, on last week. It’s not going to get any better this weekend for the Thoroughbreds. Rams get in the win column. 

Benedict College vs Clark Atlanta in Atlanta:
My mind says go with Benedict. Neither school really has a quality victory, but Benedict’s victory over SSU, for purposes of the column only, is just a teenie weenie more of a quality victory than CAU’s victory over Cheyney is.

Stillman vs Concordia in Selma AL:
The biggest no-brainer of all of this week’s HBCU picks. Stillman should be able to name their score.

MEAC/SWAC PICS

Bethune Cookman vs Savannah State in Daytona Beach:
The second biggest no-brainer of all this week’s HBCU picks. BCC romps. This game really does wonders for the MEAC strength of schedule. 

Norfolk St. vs VMI in Norfolk:
On paper, NSU should have a chance at this one. Yes, I know that games aren’t played on paper, but I just have a good gut feeling about this one. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict a victory for NSU. NSU, the MEAC sorely needs a non-conference victory against a PWC. All eyes are on you

SCSU vs Winston Salem in Winston Salem:
I hope I’m wrong, but I think the Bulldogs effectively ended their chances of the NCAA Playoffs, the Westminster Kennel Show, and any other postseason appearances with their loss to Wofford. WSSU had a totally different game against A&T than they did against Catawba. This week’s $64,000 question, which WSSU team is going to show up? The one that lost to Catawba, or the one that beat the Aggies into cubed dog steaks? My feeling is that we’re going to see something in between out of the Rams. SCSU will use the Wofford game as a wake-up call and will come into this game more focused. SCSU will be victorious, but by a smaller margin than you think.

Delaware St. vs St. Francis of PA in Dover, DE: 
Another winnable game against a non-conference PWC. DSU is coming off of a convincing victory over FAMU. DSU will be 2-0 by the time I recap this week’s games.

FAMU vs Miami in Miami:
FAMU has two objectives in this one:
     1. Try to come out of this game with as few injuries as possible.
     2. Get paid.
If they can do these two things and hold Miami to under 40 points, it’s a blessed day.