Central State OH eyes rare win over Tuskegee in SIAC series

Tuskegee has owned this series, winning 11 of 12 meetings since 2013 and six straight, with Central State OH's last win back in October 2019. Versus projects a break in that pattern this time, though the margin is thin. Central State OH is favored to win 31-25 with a 65 percent win probability, a modest turn against a Golden Tigers team that has dominated the recent history.

The numbers tell a mixed story for both sides. Tuskegee sits 54th in D2 with a B overall grade, but its offense is graded D+ and ranks 123rd in the division, well behind a defense graded C that ranks 99th. The Golden Tigers have also climbed to No. 3 in the SIAC and both of their losses this season have come against teams with winning records, a trend that has defined their schedule.

Central State OH, 120th in D2 overall but with a B- offense ranked 74th, has its own version of that same story. All three of its losses have come against winning teams as well, and the Marauders reached a season-best mark in the Versus rankings this week. With the defense graded C- and ranked 114th, this SIAC matchup will count in the conference standings and could turn on which offense finds more room against a shakier defense.