Week 5 in the SIAC

Sept. 21-23

Skegee/FAMU/FVSU

Week 4 Review and Week 5 Prognostications

What an interesting weekend we just witnessed. I know that I didn’t pick this game, but PVA&M’s 26-23 victory over Southern had to be one of the biggest upsets in many years. Two games that I did pick that had very surprising outcomes were Miles’ victory over FVSU, and BCC’s victory over SCSU. On the latter, I wasn’t necessarily surprised at the fact that BCC defeated SCSU, but I was surprised at the margin of victory. More on these games a little later. I gotta give PV and BCC some dap for their respective victories. For the record, I was an unimpressive 6-5 for the week. However, I did go 4-1 in the SIAC, 2-3 in the MEAC, and 0-1 on my SWAC pick. 

Da Review from Week Four:
AlbSU survived Stillman. In the first three weeks of the season, Stillman has given both AlbSU and TU all that they could handle. KySU got their first conference win over DaHouse. Lane did prevail over Concordia, but not by as bigger margin as I anticipated. Miles pulled yet another upset. This time, FVSU was the victim. TU seems to have rediscovered “Skegeeball” this past weekend against Benedict. As I stated last week, the SIAC is very wide open. The so-called “lesser teams” of the conference are the ones presently in the driver’s seat. In the MEAC, BCC, MSU, and DSU cost me. Hampton and FAMU saved the weekend for me. I was a two-point conversion from correctly predicting the JSU-TnSU game. Such is life. Now on to the upcoming week. 

The co-featured games of week 5:

Tuskegee vs Ft. Valley State in Macon:
On last Saturday, TU rediscovered the style that has defined them over the last ten years with their convincing victory over Benedict. The offense had a breakout game, while the defense has continued its steady play. FVSU suffered an upset loss at the hands of Miles. FVSU is also playing good defense, but are still having some trouble scoring points. Personally, I don’t feel that either team is playing quite as well as they are capable of, but at this point, I feel that TU is more capable of playing a complete game on all three sides of the ball. TU wins by a 7-10 point margin. With both teams entering this contest with one conference loss apiece, the loser of this game is effectively eliminated from the SIAC race.

Bethune Cookman vs Norfolk State in Daytona Beach:
The grudge match that we have waited all year for. Alvin “Shine” Wyatt vs Pete “The Assassin” Adrian. This match will have a 60 minute time limit with no disqualifications. If BCC wins, Coach Adrian will be banned from Daytona for two years, If NSU wins, Coach Wyatt will have to vacate his on-campus accommodations. On a serious tip, BCC enters the game riding a two game winning streak, only a touchdown away from being undefeated. NSU also enters this game with a two game winning streak of its own. BCC has a convincing, quality victory over SCSU, along with a close call with SU. SSU was an exhibition game and doesn’t count for purposes of this column. NSU has victories over a D-2 team that remains winless, and a D1-AA team that doesn’t exactly strike fear in football circles. I say all of this to say that BCC wins the game, The Pride wins halftime, Shine wins the wardrobe contest, and gets to keep his on-campus accommodations. BCC wins across the board. 

Hampton vs Morgan St. Giants Stadium:
With the disappointments that SCSU and Grambling have become this season, Hampton is the undisputed best team in HBCU Football, at least for the moment. MSU isn’t the worst HBCU team, but is far from the best. What matters as far as this game is concerned is that Hampton is light years ahead of MSU. The Pirates ship lands in the NJ swamp. 
SIAC GAMES


Stillman vs Miles in Birmingham:
Should be a good game. Stillman gave both AlbSU and TU all they could handle in their respective games and were only two, maybe three plays away from having victories over both. Miles has defeated both TU and FVSU on consecutive weekends, not exactly an easy feat. I think the fact that Miles has victories over two of the “Big Three” from the SIAC gives them the confidence that they are going to need against a stubborn Stillman team. Miles gets the home field advantage.

Benedict vs Lenoir-Rhyne in Columbia:
Benedict will bounce back from their 41-14 defeat at the hands of TU. Benedict wins at home

Lane vs Clark Atlanta in Jackson, TN:
I finally jumped on the Johnnie Cole bandwagon and was rewarded for my efforts on last week. No doubt, Lane is definitely the surprise team of the SIAC. Lane will get one of its first real tests of the season against CAU. It will be a tough test, but Lane will pass it. 

Morehouse vs Concordia in Atlanta:
Morehouse gets first win of season. 

Kentucky State vs Central State in Lexington, KY: 
Unfortunately for the Central State faithful, this isn’t your father’s, Billy Joe’s, or Rick Comegy’s Marauders. KySU rolls.

Bye Week:
Albany State

MEAC/SWAC PICS

SC State vs Coastal Carolina in Conway, SC:
In less than a month, SCSU has gone from being the toast of the MEAC, and HBCU football, to just being toast. The dogs are still seeing stars from getting hit squarely on the head with a steel pipe, courtesy of BCC. This is a crucial game for SCSU. It’s going to be interesting to see how SCSU recovers from Saturday night’s debacle. Again, this is a winnable game against a non-conference PWC. I’m going to put my trust in the Dogs of Orangeburg one more time to get the job done. 

FAMU vs Winston-Salem in Tallahassee:
FAMU finally got off the slide last weekend. They get first year MEAC member WSSU at home. FAMU will extend its winning steak to two with a hard fought victory. 

Howard vs Rutgers in Piscataway, NJ:
Howard has three realistic objectives in this game, to get paid, not to get any of the player’s hurt, not to embarrass the MEAC. Anything more is a bonus.

NCA&T vs Louisiana-Lafayette in Lafayette, LA: 
See the above Howard/Rutgers prediction.

Savannah St vs Liberty:
SSU should forfeit. That way, they lose by a score of only 1-0. That looks much better in Sunday’s paper than a 35-0 drubbing.

Southern vs NC Central:
I thought all along that NCCU Central would have a fighting chance in this game. Based on the events of this season, I’d say they actually come into this game as the favorite. Question is, can NCCU overcome what is probably the toughest atmosphere for a visiting team in all of HBCU football. I think they do. Either way, this is an interesting game.

Bye Week:
Delaware State