What it is: Formed in late 1913, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) consists of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU's), with 10 football-playing institutions spanning five states, primarily in the Southeastern United States.
In the last decade (2000-2009), Albany State (Ga.) and Tuskegee have combined for at least a share of the last 10 SIAC championships, with the Golden Tigers from Alabama winning three straight outright titles (2007-2009). Since 1990, Tuskegee has won or shared 10 conference titles, while Albany State has won or shared eight league crowns.
What makes the Tuskegee program unique is that it doesn't participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs despite being the winningest HBCU program in college football history, with 621 wins all-time through the end of the 2009 season. However, the Golden Tigers have participated in numerous "classics" and "bowl games" over the years, the most recent contest a 21-7 win over Elizabeth City State in Pioneer Bowl XI to end last season on a winning note. In all, Tuskegee has won or shared 28 SIAC titles, as well as eight mythical HBCU national championships, all going into the 2010 season.
Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)
Website: http://www.thesiac.com/
1. Tuskegee (10-2): The Golden Tigers go into the 2010 season having won 63 of their last 71 games going back to 2004.
2. Albany State (8-3): The Golden Rams hope to start anew after losing three of their last four games of 2009, including a season-ending, upset loss to West Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. That late season slide came after Albany State started the season 7-0.
3. Fort Valley State (7-4): The Wildcats ended the 2009 season on a winning note, snapping a six-game losing streak against Albany State in last year's Fountain City Classic.
4. Morehouse (7-3): The Maroon Tigers hope to build on one of their best seasons in recent memory.
5. Benedict (8-3): The Tigers from Columbia, South Carolina hope a season-ending five-game winning streak will carry into 2010.
6. Kentucky State (6-5): The Thorobreds made a three-win improvement from 2008 to 2009 in which they finished 4-5 in SIAC play.
7. Clark-Atlanta (3-7): New head coach Daryl McNeill hopes to get a struggling Panthers program on the winning track. They ended the 2009 season with seven straight losses after a 3-0 start.
8. Miles (4-7): The Golden Bears will play both of their non-conference games on the road.
9. Lane (0-10): The Dragons hope to move forward after a winless 2009 season.
5 years ago
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