RFC Summer Semester: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: Tuskegee claimed yet another SIAC football championship in 2012, finishing unbeaten in league play at 7-0.  The Golden Tigers finished the season with a 28-13 win over Elizabeth City State, 28-13, in the Pioneer Bowl.

Meanwhile, Miles and Fort Valley State both represented the SIAC in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with both teams losing in the first round.  The Golden Bears lost to West Alabma, 41-7, while the Wildcats fell to Lenoir-Rhyne, 21-6.  

Looking ahead:  For the first time ever, Tuskegee will be eligible for the NCAA Division II playoffs, as the Golden Tigers decided to end their long-standing "Turkey Day Classic" series against Alabama State on Thanksgiving Day.

Also, Paine College of Augusta, Georgia, continued a growing trend of smaller schools in Georgia, as they announced that football would return to their campus in 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

East Division

1. Fort Valley State (8-3):  The Wildcats hope that the eight players they signed on National Signing Day will help them contend for an SIAC crown in 2013.

2. Albany State (Ga.)--(6-4):  The Golden Rams look to win their 14th SIAC title, as well as advance to the D-II playoffs for the 15th time in their program's history.

3. Morehouse (3-7):  The Maroon Tigers 2013 slate includes visits to places as far away as Chicago.

4. Clark Atlanta (2-8):  The Panthers hope to start fresh under new head coach Kevin Weston.

5. Benedict (1-9):  Tigers face a long, tough climb out of the East Division basement.

West Division

1. Tuskegee (10-2):  The Golden Tigers have won more than 600 football games, the most all-time among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), heading into the 2013 season.  They hope to add to that illustrious record that season.

2. Miles (8-3):  Head Coach Reginald Ruffin welcomes back 47 letterwinners, including 15 returning starters, for the 2013 season.

3. Stillman (6-5):  Tigers hope to take the next step towards an SIAC title after finishing league play at 4-3 last year.

4. Lane (5-5):  Dragons hope to improve on their 3-4 finish in conference play a year ago.

5. Kentucky State (1-9):  Thorobreds hope to put the misery of 2012 behind them.


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