BCSP Predictions: Boldly going . . .
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
The first and boldest prediction coming from the Black College Sports Page this year is that the 2005 season will be the most exciting, memorable and ground-breaking campaign since 1994 when Alcorn State QB Steve McNair rewrote the college passing record books en route to a third place finish in the Heisman Trophy.
Why? Because 2005 has more great races, exciting players and intriguing stories than at any time since. Here's our take on the conference races.
CIAA
How long has it been since North Carolina
Central challenged for a CIAA football title? Not in this century (if
you don't count last year).
We're predicting NCCU will break Fayetteville State's three-year stranglehold on the Western Division title and face defending champion Shaw in the Nov. 6 CIAA Championship Game. Now that's a matchup the folks in Durham can get excited about.
BCSP Prediction: NC Central, at home, by a nose.
MEAC
Hampton is head and shoulders above anyone in
the MEAC and after several close calls should be ready to win a
I-AA playoff game. The key will not be the defense that gave
up 42 points to William & Mary, but a truly dominant
rushing attack which produced two 1,000-yard rushers last year but
did little against the Indians in the playoff loss.
And don't be so sure that South Carolina State and Bethune-Cookman will finish behind the Pirates. Howard and Morgan State will have something to say about that.
BCSP Prediction: Hampton, easily.
SWAC
By all accounts, defending champion
Alabama State should repeat in 2005 but we're not buying it. In fact, their
road through the East Division to the SWAC title game will not
be easy.
As for the title, in the SWAC it's what's on offense that counts and Grambling has more of it. Look out for Bruce Eugene's assault on the record books.
BCSP Prediction: Grambling
SIAC
Tuskegee and Albany State have won every SIAC
championship since 1997. Albany State returns only four (4)
starters and a tough mid-season schedule could doom Tuskegee
and open the door to Fort Valley State. We say
John Morgan's Wildcats will walk right in.
BCSP Prediction: Fort Valley State in an upset.
© 2005 Azeez Communications, Inc.