LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor
As the 2024 football season heads into October, there are plenty of headlines.
Some new blood is making the CIAA race very interesting. The same can be said for the SIAC. The SWAC is a week away from all- out war though the skirmishes begin with three key games this weekend. There was an opening salvo in the MEAC but that league is still weeks away from getting down to its business.
In the CIAA
Undefeated Johnson C. Smith (5-0, 2-0) and once-beaten Winston-Salem State (4-12-0) are the interlopers currently atop the CIAA race. WSSU was last a conference champion in 2016. For JCSU, undefeated at 5-0 for the first
time since 1969, it’s been 55 years – back to 1969 – since the Golden Bulls took the title.
Two weeks ago, both pulled off stunners as JCSU knocked off 2023 champion Virginia Union (21-16) in Charlotte and WSSU went into 2024 preseason favorite Virginia State and got a last-second 15-14 win. Problem is, neither of the wins, or losses, counted on the conference’s quirky seven-game league ledger.
Every CIAA game, beginning this week, will count as conference games in the league’s new non-divisional race. That includes another showdown of the conference leaders.
WSSU, coming off a 28-14 takedown of Bowie State, travels to Richmond Saturday (1 p.m.) to take on VUU (2-2, 1-0), after its 42-7 shellacking of Shaw Saturday.
JCSU, after whipping Bluefield State 42- 3, is hosting VSU (2-2, 1-0) in Charlotte, NC (2 p.m., CIAASN) after the Trojans’ convincing 35-18 win over Fayetteville State.
In the SIAC
Undefeated Clark Atlanta (4-0-1, 3-0 SIAC) is still the talk of the SIAC. The last time the Panthers’ name appears in SIAC championship history is in a five-way tie with four others for the crown in 1991.
New head coach David Keaton and new quarterback, league passing leader David Wright III (1,311 passing yards, 14 TDs,3 ints.), appear ready to make new history.The Panthers host Savannah State (1-3, 1-2) Saturday in Atlanta (2 p.m.).
CAU is being chased by preseason favorite Albany State (2-2, 2-0) and Miles (2-2, 2-0). Albany State has a 1 p.m. date at Allen (1-3, 0-2) and Miles is hosting Central State (1-3, 1-1) at 5 p.m for homecoming.
In the SWAC
Hurricane Helene caused the postponement of Saturday’s Alabama A&M at Florida A&M game that has been pushed to the back of the schedule on Nov. 29. This week three SWAC games highlight the schedule.
The game to watch has 2023 champion FAMU (2-2) opening defense of its title at homecoming at preseason conference favorite Alabama State (2-2, 1-0) (2 p.m., ESPN+). ASU has had to turn to freshman QB Zach Sims while FAMU features vet Daniel Richardson.
Preseason West Division favorite Alcorn State (2-3, 1-0 W) has its homecoming (6 p.m.) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-3, 0-1 W). Jackson State (3-2, 1-0 E) meets Alabama A&M (2-2, 0-0 E) for the Bulldogs’ conference opener in Mobile (AL) at the Gulf Coast Challenge (4 p.m,ESPN+).
In the MEAC
Preseason favorite N. C. Central opened conference play with a convincing 37-10 win
over Norfolk State in Indy’s Circle City Classic Saturday. MEAC teams begin three more weeks of non-conference play this week.
At 1 p.m., Delaware State (1-4) has its homecoming vs. 1-3 Saint Francis and Morgan State (2-3) hosts 0-4 Lincoln (PA) for its homecoming. South Carolina State (2-2) travels to 2-2 Tennessee Tech at 1:30 p.m. At 4 p.m. NCCU (3-2) plays at 2-3 Campbell and Norfolk State (2-4) travels to 2-3 Sacred Heart.
