Virginia State (8-3, 5-1)

Most prognosticators didn't give Virginia State a chance to play in last year's CIAA championship game. They were wrong. This year Boxtorow will not make that mistake. The Trojans return six starters on offense, including quarterback Jared Battle. While Battle's numbers weren't eye-popping (125-233, 1583 yards, 10 TDs, 12 INTs), he was "thrown into the fire" as a sophomore last year. He had some games where he showed incredible leadership and big things are expected of him this year. He is aided by running backs Antwain Lyde and Kenay Hawks, who combined for 1,070 yards rushing last year. Two of his three leading receivers return in Timothy Paulk (28-388-2) and Corey Young (21-355-2). The bend but don't break defense of the Trojans will have to tighten up this year. The return of two of the leading tacklers from last year in linebackers Jeremy Pruitt (82 tackles, 4 tackles for loss) and Clifton Haney (49 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss) should help. Head coach Andrew Faison and the Trojans have a tough schedule this year. Their first three games are on the road, opening with their annual Labor Day tilt against MEAC opponent Norfolk State. They also only have three home games and end their season with FCS opponent Gardner-Webb.

Elizabeth City State (6-4, 5-2)

2010 was a disappointment for head coach Waverly Tillar and the Vikings. The Vikings came into the season with perhaps the best team on paper in the league. Fast forward to the present and the Vikings once again have tremendous talent returning. Creven Powell returns for his senior season as the Vikings signal-caller. Despite injuries last season, Powell completed 124 of 219 passes for 1,662 yards with 10 TDs to 5 INTs. Running back Daronte McNeill returns after shattering the ECSU rushing record for yards in a season last year when he rushed for 1,321 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 10 TDs. The offensive line is experienced, led by pre-season All-CIAA selections seniors Baron Coffin (6-3, 310) and Bryan Garnett (6-3, 330). Defense is normally the staple of a Tillar coached team and despite a wealth of talent last year, the unit struggled giving up 313 yards of total offense per game. Only five starters return from last year led by linebacker Dewitt Dixon (56 tackles, 8 TFL) and lineman Larry Jones. The Vikings open the season at national championship runner-up Delta State and four of their first five games are on the road.

Bowie State (6-4, 6-1)

Last year, Bowie State was forced to make a change at quarterback very early in the season due to injury. The result was Clifton "Dominique" Bud, who was a pre-season selection as a return specialist and one of the most exciting players in the CIAA, becoming the starting quarterback. Bud's play took the Bulldogs from an 0-3 start to winning six of their last seven, their only loss coming to Virginia State by one point which kept the Bulldogs from repeating as North representative in the championship game. Clifton completed 122 of 224 passes for 1,538 yards with 16 TDs and only 6 INTs. He also led the team in rushing with 371 yards. Aiding Bud in the backfield will be Ramono Flowers. Despite only carrying the ball 57 times Flowers averaged 5.3 yards per carry and will be expected to carry much more of the load. The Bulldogs three leading receivers - James Proctor, Douglas McNeil, and Reginald McIntyre - return combining for 72 receptions for 934 yards and 7 TDs. One of the staples under third-year head coach Damon Wilson has been defense. The Bulldogs ranked 14th in the country last year in total defense giving up 267.3 yards of offense per game, but only five starters return. The linebacking unit will be strong with Delano Johnson (63 tackles) and Bekewele Amadi (52 tackles, 8.5 TFL) returning. The Bulldogs lose two second team All-CIAA performers in Sterling Grant-Jones and Terrence Peete but Kenneth Turner and his 13 pass break-ups returns.

Lincoln (PA) 1-7, 1-9)

2010 was a rough year for Lincoln in its first year of play in the CIAA since 1960. As a matter of fact it has been a rough couple of seasons for head coach O.J. Abanishe since football was brought back. 2011 could be the best season for the Lions program. The Lions defense was very solid last year and returns nine starters from a unit that gave up 270.5 yards per game, good for third in the league. The Lions may have the best trio of linebackers in the conference. Brucele Sterile was a second team All-CIAA performer last year finishing with 90 tackles and 14 tackles for loss last season. Brandon McElwee and Timothy Green are outstanding and combined for 114 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. The Lions offense in 2010, which didn't score much (14.2) and turned the ball over 39 times, should receive a jolt as it welcomes incoming quarterback Doug Cook from the University School of Nova SE University. Cook threw for almost 3,500 yards and ran for nearly 500 on his way to first team All-State honors. Cook will have some weapons to throw the ball to as Matthew Coston (41-633-6) returns after averaging 15.4 yards per reception. Philip Jean-Juste should have a more productive season after catching 29 balls a year ago.

Virginia Union (3-7, 3-4)

After a solid 2009 in Michael Bailey's first year as head coach of Virginia Union, one in which the Panthers were a coin flip away from representing the then Eastern Division in the CIAA championship game, the Panthers had a disappointing 2010, winning only three games. On offense, the Panthers will have to rely on its running game and the play of Jerrell Washington. Washington rushed for 817 yards last year and averaged 5.5 yards per carry with 9 TDs and even more will be expected of him. Senior quarterback Cheston Hickman saw action in five games last year and showed he was capable of leading an offense as he put up 257 yards passing in a loss to Fayetteville State late in the season. He will have to be more consistent this year, as last year he completed only 44 percent of his passes with 8 TDs and 8 INTs. The issue for Hickman is who he will throw the football to as first team All-CIAA performer Joseph Jean-Pierre 52-1019-7) will not return for his senior season. The leading returning receiver is Matias Parker who had seven receptions for 54 yards and 2 TDs. Fortunately for Washington and Hickman and despite the loss of mammoth tackle David Mims who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as free agent, James George (6-6, 340), Julian King (6-4, 315) and Marion Holt (6-4, 330) return as starters to anchor the offensive line. Defensively, the Panthers were in the bottom half in most categories last year. Three of the four starters on the line are gone from last year. One bright spot is the return of defensive back Brian Smith who was fourth on the team last year with 44 tackles, as well as defensive coordinator Kevin Grisby who coached Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler while at Saint Paul's.

Chowan (3-7, 3-4)

Chowan and head coach Tim Place is poised to have its best season in the CIAA since joining in the conference in 2009. Wide receiver Robert Holland returns and has been named first team All-CIAA in each of his first two seasons. Last year he led the CIAA in receptions (65) and touchdowns (7) while also amassing 804 yards receiving. Joining Holland on the other side will be Kevin Hodrick. Hodrick sat out 2010, but in 2009 tallied 49 receptions for 612 yards and 10 TDs. The projected starting quarterback is Cameron Stover. Although only appearing in three games, Stover threw for 511 yards and three touchdowns. Elliot Smalls returns as the leading rusher. A versatile back Smalls rushed for 646 yards and 5 TDs, while catching 26 passes for 231 yards and another two scores. Offensive line is the big question mark for the Hawks as they allowed 54 sacks a year ago. The Hawks must improve defensively, as they gave up 41.3 points per game and was last in total defense (435.9). They did a fair job as a whole of pressuring the quarterback, accumulating 23 sacks as sophomore linebacker Marc McCadden tallied 38 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. In the secondary Anthony Hooks will look to improve upon his five interceptions from a year ago.

Shaw (9-3, 7-0)

It certainly wasn't easy, but Shaw went undefeated against CIAA opponents last year on the way to its third CIAA Championship in four years. Shaw will look to make it back-to-back championships for the second time in five years and the road could prove to be harder than last year. Shaw's high-powered offense from a year ago will be looking for leadership this season. Gone is All-CIAA quarterback Kevin Atkins, Raymond Williams the school's all-time leading rusher, four of five starters on the offensive line, including two All-CIAA selections, as well as four of the five leading receivers, although Tyrone Craig (30-532-8) looks to build upon a solid 2010 campaign. Quarterback Quinshon Odom was thrown into the fire at times last year and even started in the Bears playoff game against Shepherd. Odom completed 26-62 passes on the season for 505 yards with 5 TDs and 5 INTs. Head coach Darrell Asberry has also gotten a couple of high-profile transfer quarterbacks into the program the last couple of years. Defense will be the strength of the Bears. It begins up front as Charles Deas and Stanley Porter are pre-season All-CIAA performers and combined for 29 tackles for loss and 10 sacks a year ago. Demarcus Roberson will also be counted upon on the defensive line as well and was second on the team last year in tackles for loss (15.5). Cornerback Darnell Evans anchors the secondary and had an exceptional rookie campaign last year on his way to first team All-CIAA honors with a league-tying six interceptions and led the nation in pass break-ups with 18.

Winston-Salem State (8-2, 6-2)

The Rams and head coach Connell Maynor had a solid first season but came up short of expectations. The Rams goal was to win the CIAA championship. The Rams are now playing to "win national championships." Last year the Rams got a taste of what the CIAA had to offer. They led the CIAA in total offense last year and return nine starters on offense, led by two of the best backs in the country. Quarterback Kameron Smith had a very productive season last year. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,522 yards with 20 TDs and 9 INTs, while also rushing for 396 yards. Tehvyn Brantley and Dominique Fitzgerald were Smith's top two receivers and both return for 2011. They combined for 73 receptions for 1,143 yards and 10 TDs. Running back Nic Cooper was first team All-CIAA last year after rushing for 1,134 yards on a remarkable 6.2 yards per carry and 15 TDs. Experience on the line will help both Smith and Cooper as Thurman McDonald, Winston Hill, Jr., and Markus Lawrence return as starters from a year ago. Defensively, the Rams led the conference in total defense but only six starters return. Last year's leading tackler linebacker Alton Keaton (69 tackles) returns. Putting pressure on the quarterback was a specialty of the defense (32 sacks led the conference). Defensive end Akeem Ward returns to anchor the defensive line after generating 4.5 sacks (good for second on the team last year) and 11.5 tackles for loss. Winston-Salem State's first three games are on the road this year against Elizabeth City State, Virginia Union and Chowan before they come home to face Winston-Salem State on September 24.

Fayetteville State (5-5, 4-3)

After getting off last season to a 1-4 start, the Fayetteville State Broncos rebounded nicely finishing 4-1. This season the Broncos should be in contention in the South. Defensively, first team All-CIAA strong safety Andre Lyles will be key. Lyles was second on the team in tackles (70) and tied for the league lead in interceptions (6). With the graduation of Jeremy Cunningham, first team All-CIAA and the league's leading tackler, the linebacking unit gets a shot in the arm with the return of Marcos Esquivel. Esqivel redshirted last year, but was the leader of the defense that won the 2009 CIAA championship as he led the CIAA league in tackles on his way to first team All-CIAA honors. The defensive line will be anchored by young guns Derrick Redman and Aaron Patterson, both of whom finished last season strong and combined for 70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, mostly over the last five games of the season. Offensively the Broncos lose one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league in Robert Benjamin. However, head coach Kenny Phillips who has always recruited junior college players in Arizona thinks he has found another gem in Brandon Cluff who he says has as strong an arm as Benjamin. With the loss of Richard Medlin (772 yards rushing) in the backfield, Anthony Council (203 yards, 7.2 yards per carry) and Colon Bailey will be expected to carry the load. Council is a big bruising back and Bailey is a nice change of pace. The offensive line is season and experienced, led by All-CIAA selection senior Larry McDonald, who has started every game he's played at FSU. Special teams will also be key for the Broncos as they are one of the best in blocking punts (five blocked, two returned for touchdowns). All-CIAA performer kicker Austin Turner returns for his senior season and will handle punting and kicking duties.

Saint Augustine's (9-2, 6-1)

The Falcons had their best season last year under 10th year head coach Michael Costa, who has been the only coach of the program since the school revived football in 2002. The Falcons finished 9-2, capping off the season with a 20-9 victory over Fort Valley State in the Pioneer Bowl, marking only the third time the CIAA has won the event since the games inception in 1997. (Winston-Salem won in 1999 and Shaw won 2004.) The Falcons haven't had consistency at quarterback for sometime until now as Joaquin Green (70-139-1,064, 10 TDs, 10 INTs) returns for his junior season. The former CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year will have plenty of weapons to throw to beginning with last year's leading receiver Jamain Smith whose 39 receptions and 540 yards receiving led the team. Tyron Laughinghouse led the team in touchdown receptions (6) and averaged 21.2 yards per reception. He is a dangerous return man and was named a Boxtorow.com/BASN All-American return specialist last year. Defensively, the Falcons return seven starters led by linebacker Chaz Robinson (82 tackles, 6 TFL) who was second team All-CIAA as a freshman. At the coaches luncheon Costa stated you won't run on the SAC defense. Defense has traditionally been a staple for Costa and while the names aren't as prevalent as in year's past, schematically the Falcons will be sound.

Johnson C. Smith (2-8, 1-6)

A lot more was expected from Johnson C. Smith in 2010. The Golden Bulls had two of the better players in the CIAA in quarterback Ryan Carter (256.3 yards of total offense per game) and wide receiver Jeremy Franklin who was first team All-CIAA all four years. It was the defense that especially hurt the Golden Bulls, ranking at the bottom in all of the major defensive categories. That unit was young and looks to improve from last season. Four of the five leading tacklers return led by linebacker Michael Coats (51 tackles). Also returning to the linebacking unit will be Perrin Carr who had 49 tackles. The defensive line also returns two leaders from last year in Rashad Dukes (40 tackles, 4.5 TFL) and Derrick Johnson (29 tackles, 7 TFL). Three of the four spots in the secondary will be filled by newcomers with Lamarr Person being the only returner. There are questions marks at every position with the exception of offensive line. Third-year head coach Steven Aycock will have no experience at the quarterback position and will have to choose between last year's third stringer Maliek McCall and newcomer Keahn Wallace. Running back will be handled by committee in the form of Dedrick Anderson and Joshua James who combined for 481 yards rushing last year. Avius Capers is a capable receiver and caught 21 passes for 313 yards last season.

Livingstone (0-11, 0-7)

The 2010 season for the Livingstone Blue Bears in Elvin James first year as head coach was worse than the zero wins that the team amassed. The team was shut out four times and outscored 494-48 over the season. Ouch. But James is excited about the new season. James will have a more experienced bunch as he played with mostly freshman and sophomores last season. Offensively, quarterback Levon Stanley took his lumps as a freshman last year throwing only two touchdowns and 10 INTs, but had a solid spring and is poised to lead the Blue Bears offense. Defensively, one of the bright spots was the defensive secondary, which allowed 166 yards passing per game which was fourth in the league. Devonta Harmon returns to anchor that unit from the free safety spot as the leading returning tackler (57). Junior Jerrell Gaynor broke up 11 passes last year and will start at the strong safety position. Michael Haygood is the only starting defensive lineman returning. James expects good play on the line from Bethune-Cookman transfer Kentrell Harris and North Carolina A&T transfer Donald Pollack.