Races tighten in MEAC & SIAC
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
Fort Valley State, Albany State and Miles are all at 3-1 in the SIAC as the race heads into the last five weeks of the regular season. KSU already has a win over Albany State and faces Miles on Nov. 1 and FVSU on Nov. 8. KSU has an out-of-conference date Saturday (1:30 p.m.) with Stillman. FVSU plays at Benedict (4-2, 2-1) who could get into the race with an upset win. Miles is at Lane (2-4, 1-3).
The MEAC race, as usual, is bunched at the top.
S. C. State (4-2, 2-0) is one of three undefeated teams ahead of defending champion and preseason favorite Bethune-Cookman (5-1, 2-1). SCSU travels to Daytona Beach to tackle the Wildcats Saturday (4 p.m.) in the most intriguing game on the MEAC schedule this week. Hampton (3-0) and N. C. A&T (2-0) also have unblemished conference marks.
Hampton (4-1) plays at Norfolk State (1-5, 0-3) while A&T (5-1) entertains Florida A&M (4-3).
There's not a single compelling game in the SWAC this week. BCSP No. 1, Southern (6-0, 4-0) tries to remain the only undefeated team in black college football in a game at Jackson State to be tape delayed on MBC Sunday (5 pm). The result does not count on the teams' division ledgers.
The closest thing to a game of consequence in the SWAC is the West Division battle of Grambling State (4-2, 3-0) at Arkansas Pine Bluff (2-5, 1-3) that MBC will carry live Saturday (7 p.m.).
Fayetteville State (4-2, 2-1 W) and Bowie State (5-2, 4-0 E) appear headed for a rematch in the 2003 CIAA Championship Game (Nov. 15 in Durham, NC).
FSU got a big 22-14 win over Winston-Salem State last week to get some separation in the West Division. All five other West Division teams are 1-2 in divisional play. Bowie State did likewise in the East with a narrow 14-13 win over Shaw.
FSU plays at N. C. Central (3-3, 1-2) Saturday in a game to be carried on MBC (4 p.m.). Bowie State has Elizabeth City State (1-5, 1-3) this week before finishing with contenders Virginia Union (11/1) and Virginia State (11/8).
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