Albany State takes SIAC; Hampton/BCC battle for MEAC lead
Albany State's 50-15 win Saturday over Morehouse clinched the second straight SIAC title for the Golden Rams (9-0, 7-0).
James "Mike" White's squad is ranked first in
the BCSP Top Ten, third in the latest national 
Div. II
poll (Sports Network) and first in the D-2 Southeast Region. They finish
the regular season Saturday in Columbus, Ga., against traditional
season-ending rival Fort Valley State (7-3, 4-3) at the
15th Fountain City Classic (1:30 pm). The Rams have the
chance to post the school's first undefeated regular season since 1997 as well
as lock up a first round bye in the Div. II playoffs with
a win. The Golden Rams' current 17-game winning
streak is the longest in the nation.
MEAC
All four MEAC contests scheduled this
weekend are homecoming games but none takes on more
significance than Bethune-Cookman's date at
conference-leading Hampton (2 p.m., ISM/MEAC TV).
Hampton (7-1, 4-1) has been off since its 52-36 win over South Carolina State two weeks ago that put the Pirates in the MEAC driver's seat. Hampton needs to knock off B-CC (5-2, 3-2) and then get a win at home Nov. 13 vs. N. C. A&T to take the conference title and automatic NCAA Div. I-AA playoff berth that goes with it. Hampton's only loss in conference play was to Delaware State, 28-23 on Oct. 2.
A B-CC win would return SC State to the top spot provided the Bulldogs can defeat Howard (5-3, 2-2) Saturday at homecoming in Orangeburg, S.C. (1:30 p.m.). SC State owns a 28-14 win over B-CC.
SWAC
Alabama State's 20-14 win over Alabama
A&M Saturday puts the Hornets (6-1, 4-1) alone atop
the SWAC East as they travel to Grambling State
(4-4, 2-3) Saturday (1: 30 pm). Arkansas-Pine Bluff's
tough 41-35 loss to Jackson State leaves
Southern (7-2, 4-1) on top of the West. The Jaguars are idle this week.
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