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Something for everyone on '08 schedule
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
The 2008 black college football schedule has a little something for everyone. In addition to the always competitive races in each conference, there's plenty more when teams step outside.
David vs. Goliath
For those who want to see black college teams go up against the Div. I powers and perhaps pull off an Appalachian State-like upset of Michigan, there are a few of those. But the competition is mighty fierce.
South Carolina State gets the unenviable first shot, and in fact gets two shots, at the big boys.
Oliver "Buddy" Pough's MEAC favorites open the season travelling to Orlando to take on Central Florida on Aug. 30. The Golden Knights, coached by George O'Leary, finished 10-4 last season and earned a trip to the Liberty Bowl where they lost to Mississippi State.
After games in state, at home vs Benedict (9/6) and in Charleston vs. Bethune-Cookman (9/13), the Bulldogs stay in state to play at Clemson on Sept. 20. Clemson, who wound up 9-3 last season under Tommy Bowden, finished the 2007 campaign ranked 21st in the nation after losing to Auburn in the Chic-fil-A Bowl. The Tigers are ranked in the Top Ten in most preseason Div. I polls for 2008.
Pete Richardson's Jaguars of Southern open their season Aug. 30 on the road at Houston, who enters the season with new coach Kevin Sumlim at the helm. Sumlin is the first African-American Div. I head coach in Texas. Houston finished 8-5 last season and lost to TCU in the Texas Bowl.
After hosting Virginia State in their opening game on Aug. 30, head coach Pete Adrian and the Norfolk State Spartans travel to Lexington, Ky., to take on the powerful Kentucky Wildcats on Sept. 6. Kentucky, under head coach Rich Brooks, finished 8-5 last season and closed out its season with a win over Florida State in the Music City Bowl.
Last but certainly not least, Donald Hill-Eley and the Morgan State Bears take a shot at Rutgers on Sept. 27. The Scarlet Knights under Gary Schiano finished 8-5 last season including a win over Ball State in the International Bowl.
So not only did all the Div. I opponents have winning records, but they also played in bowl games.
Spy vs. Spy
For those looking for some inter-conference play between schools in the four HBCU conferences, there's a little of that. These games can help spice up the argument regarding which of the conferences plays the best football.
For openers, two NCAA Div. II playoff teams, CIAA champion Shaw and SIAC runner-up Albany State, hook up in what should be a classic season opener for both teams on August 30 in Albany, Ga. First round playoff losses ended both their seasons a year ago.
The other CIAA/SIAC matchup also features two of the better teams in each conference when CIAA Pioneer Bowl participant Virginia Union travels to take on perennial SIAC contender Fort Valley State on Sept. 13.
The MEAC vs. SWAC battles commence with the fourth annual SWAC/MEAC Challenge to be staged this year in Orlando on Sunday, Aug. 31. New Hampton coach Jerry Holmes will get his baptism under fire as he faces defending SWAC champ Jackson State and coach Rick Comegy.
Florida A&M is involved in the other two SWAC vs. MEAC games, opening the season hosting Alabama State on Aug. 30 and travelling to Southern on Oct. 18.
The two CIAA vs. MEAC matchups are both scheduled for Labor Day weekend. The annual Labor Day Classic in Norfolk pits Virginia State of the CIAA vs. the MEAC's Norfolk State on Aug. 30. North Carolina A&T will be looking for CIAA meat when it takes on Johnson C. Smith on the same day. A&T head coach Lee Fobbs will be looking to win his first game in three years in the season opener.
The SIAC has one date against the MEAC this year when Benedict travels to nearby South Carolina State for a Sept. 6 tussle.
SIAC programs also have some interesting dates with SWAC schools.
Stillman travels to Jackson State on Sept. 6. Morehouse plays at the Angel City Classic vs. Prairie View A&M in Los Angeles on Oct. 11.
Defending SIAC and black college national champion Tuskegee however gets to take on the two SWAC schools in Alabama and compete for bragging rights. The Golden Tigers face Alabama A&M at the Oct. 4 Circle City Classic in Indianapolis and close the season with their traditional Thanksgiving Day matchup in Montgomery, Al., at the Turkey Day Classic vs. Alabama State on Nov. 27.
Toughest rows to hoe
North Carolina Central's 2008 road schedule to Div. I is fraught with danger. The Eagles play at FCS preseason No. 1 James Madison on Sept. 6, at Central Connecticut on Sept. 20, at Presbyterian on Oct. 11, at Coastal Carolina on Oct. 18 and at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Nov. 18.
Elizabeth City State faces three straight South Athletic Conference opponents in September - Catawba, Tusculum and Wingate. The CIAA was 1-10 last year vs. SAC opponents.
Tennessee State, an HBCU that competes in the Ohio Valley Conference, plays four black college teams. TSU faces Alabama A&M (Aug. 30), hosts Southern (Sept. 6), faces Jackson State in Memphis (Sept. 13) and faces Florida A&M in Atlanta (Sept. 27).
© 2008 Azeez Communications, Inc.