1. Winston-Salem State (7-1, 5-0 CIAA): WSSU picked up its sixth-straight win on Saturday by defeating Livingstone 34-17. WSSU can clinch the CIAA Southern Division with a win at Shaw and a Fayetteville State loss.
2. Tuskegee (6-2, 5-0): Another week, another SIAC blowout for Tuskegee. Saturday’s 38-9 win over Kentucky State was its fifth-straight, and most of them haven’t been close. There should be more of the same on Saturday against Central State before playing Miles in what could be the de facto SIAC West Championship Game.
3. Virginia State (6-2, 5-0): After getting off to an 0-2 start this season, Virginia State has been playing some pretty damn good ball. Last week’s 63-7 win over Lincoln, along with Virgina Union’s loss to Chowan, put VSU in the driver seat in the CIAA Northern Division.
4. Albany State (5-2, 5-0): Quiet as kept, Albany State has been just as much of a dominate force in the SIAC as Tuskegee. ASU has allowed just 33 points in its last five games, including two shutouts.
5. Virginia Union (6-2, 4-1): VUU saw its win-streak end at five this week as it fell to 20-17 in overtime against Bowie State. The key will be focusing on Fayetteville State instead of focusing on rival Virginia State, who took sole possession of the lead in the CIAA Northern Division following VUU’s loss.