Gilberto Alvarado
Virginia State Stuns Bowie, WSSU looks unstoppable, Who will win the North?
by , 10-16-2012 at 11:19 AM (5730 Views)
It's hard to believe, but there is only three weeks left in the football season and the Northern Division seems to be up for grabs. For some odd reason, every time I give a team credit for their victory the previous week, they happen to lose the following week; hence: Bowie State!
Last week I gave Bowie credit winning their game against Chowan which was well deserved, this week, they allow Virginia State to hang around and the VSU Trojans pull off the upset in overtime during Bowie's homecoming. Bowie, you're killing me! As soon as I show you love, you let me down. C'mon son!!!! The Trojan victory basically proves there is no clear cut favorite to win the Northern Division and now it comes down to a three team race between Chowan, Elizabeth City State, and Virginia State.
While most would bet ECSU is the clear cut favorite. I disagree. I think there is no favorite and all three teams have a good chance of winning the division. Regardless of who wins the division, the winner would still have to play either Winston Salem State or Shaw. Unless the Shaw Bears prove me wrong, they just look like a contender for the Southern Division on paper, but the clear cut favorite for the Southern Division will be WSSU. The two meet on October 27th in Raleigh for what looks to be the division title baring any slip up this coming weekend.
Game of the Week
Chowan (4-3, 3-1) at Elizabeth City State (4-3, 3-1) Homecoming
Chowan has a chance to have their first winning season since moving up to D2. In fact, it might be their first winning season since going from a two year school to a four year school. Their offense can put up some serious numbers and they can go toe to toe with the best of them. A win by Chowan on the road during ECSU's homecoming, will speak volumes. However, beating the defending Northern Division champs will not be an easy task. ECSU has the best RB in the conference in Daronte McNeill. They have a solid defense and have had a winning formula over the past 5 years. Chowan is new to winning, but Head Coach Tim Place has positioned the Hawks to make history. In my opinion, if you're new to winning, its like have new money, sometimes you just do not know what to do with it.
My prediction: ECSU 34 Chowan 31
Johnson C Smith (3-4, 2-2) at Shaw (4-3, 3-1)
Which Johnson C Smith will show up this weekend? Will it be the team that gave up 55 points in a loss to Lincoln? or will it be the team that beat Fayetteville State last week on the road? Bottom line, this team has been so inconsistent, its nauseating. JCSU is so inconsistent, I cannot pick them to win anything, especially after their loss to Lincoln. For the Shaw Bears, its appears they have their Shaw U Swag back. After starting off 0-2, Shaw has won 4 of 5 and looking like the Shaw teams we are accustomed to. But this is a trap game for Shaw, they could be looking to next weeks match-up against Winston Salem State and could get caught slipping. This game could start off slow for Shaw before they wake up and have a comeback victory.
My prediction: Shaw 24 JCSU 23
Bowie State (4-3, 1-3) at Virginia Union (3-4, 1-3)
Bowie State sure does know how to play with my emotions. As soon as i begin to feel guilty for not giving them credit, they win a big game. But when I give them credit for their accomplishments, they lose a winnable game, and during their homecoming for crying out load! Bowie State is a team I have a love hate relationship with. As far as Virginia Union, I'm not feeling confident about this team at all. There's something about VU I just can't put my finger on. My guess is because they started off 2-0 while playing sub-par competition. Bowie State should win this game, especially after last weeks disappointing loss.
My prediction: Bowie State 28 Virginia Union 24
Lincoln (1-6, 1-3) at Virginia State (3-4, 2-2)
Virginia State pulled off the clutch victory last week at Bowie's Homecoming 26-20 in OT. With that win, if Virginia State wins their remaining games and Chowan can beat ECSU, they would control their own destiny. VSU would have to beat Chowan and win the final game of the season to finish 6-4 to be in Durham for the CIAA Championship. As far as Lincoln, well......next question.
My prediction: Virginia State 35 Lincoln 14
Livingstone (2-5, 2-2) at #4 Winston Salem State (7-0, 4-0)
For the briefest of moments, Livingstone was tied for first place in the division with WSSU. Add a few weeks to the equation, and reality sets in. Winston Salem State is ranked 4th in the D2football.com poll and 2nd in the AFCA poll. They look unstoppable. WSSU's biggest obstacle this year, is themselves. There's no reason why this team should lose any game in the regular season. Especially against Livingstone.
My prediction: WSSU 49 Livingstone 14
Fayetteville State (1-6, 0-4) at St. Aug (4-3, 2-2)
Fayetteville State is falling to the bottom of a bottomless pit. They are on pace to finish 2-8 or 1-9 (pending a homecoming victory). They have finally stuck with one QB and it has not produced any wins. St. Aug is a team jockeying for a Pioneer Bowl berth. St. Aug looks better and should win this game.
My prediction: St. Aug 28 FSU 18
The C'mon Son moment, D2Football.com poll -v- AFCA Poll for WSSU
So this morning D2Football.com releases their poll and WSSU moved up one spot to #4. In the AFCA poll, WSSU is #2. The reason for the C'Mon Son, Northwest Missouri suddenly leapfrogged WSSU from their #7 spot to #3 while they have a 6-1 record. Now lets give Northwest Missouri credit, they upset then #1 Pittsburgh State, but to move up four spots with one loss is a slap in the face to WSSU and the other undefeated schools. As they say "Thats that Bull_ _ _ _"
My inbox, FSU head Coaching situationist
So I have several fans that have in-boxed me; criticizing me about not mentioning the head coaching situation at Fayetteville State. To be honest, I felt there was no need to ever mention FSU Head Coach Kenny Philips being in the hot seat. Here's why, before Kenny Philips came to Fayetteville State, Bronco football was dudu. Yes, garbage! FSU was always a middle of the pack or bottom feeder team. Kenny Philips has three CIAA Championships to his name. He has given three different chancellors rings; Chancellor McLeod, Chancellor TJ Bryan, and Chancellor Anderson rings. Before Phillips, Fayetteville had never won the CIAA EVER. Is that clear, EVER.
But now, my inbox is getting more full, especially after FSU's loss to Johnson C Smith and their QB carousel. While I have criticized their QB situation publicly, never the head coach. I have messages saying his time has passed, and others saying change is needed.
In my eyes, Coach Phillips is a FSU legend. Three rings in 10 years. Three playoff appearances, and a Pioneer Bowl. But we live in a "what have you done for me lately" society. Even Bobby Bowden was eventually run out of town. Bowden, had 20 plus years at Florida State, I think Phillips has earned more time to turn the program around.
Fans, you tell me what you think. FSU fans, I need to hear from you especially since you seem to most concerned about the head coaching situation.
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