Durham, NC - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and its Football Coaches Association have announced the 2016 CIAA Football Predicted Order of Finish and the Preseason All-CIAA Team. [complete team listing]

For the second consecutive season, the Rams of Winston-Salem State University have been selected as the 2016 predicted champion. Bowie State University has been selected to finish second after falling to WSSU in the 2015 CIAA Championship Game. Following the championship game, the Bulldogs lost to Assumption College in the first round of NCAA DII playoffs.

The 2016 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team is led by a standout group of senior student-athletes. Stephen Scott, Lincoln (Pa.) running back, led the Conference in yards per game (125.8) and tied for first in rushing touchdowns (10) in 2015. BSU Bulldogs' wide receiver Nyme Manns highlights the preseason team after completing his junior season ranked second in the CIAA with 92 receiving yards per game and tied for the first place rank with 13 receiving touchdowns. Last season's defensive game was marked by a season-high 10 sacks, achieved by defensive linemen Paulin Miano and Miles Pace of Virginia Union.

The 2016 CIAA football season opens on Saturday, September 3 with the CIAA Football Championship scheduled for November 12, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. The nationally televised championship game will be played at Durham County Memorial Stadium and feature the CIAA Northern and Southern Division champions.

CIAA Football Media Day kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina.

2016 Overall Predicted Order of Finish

1. Winston-Salem State University
2. Bowie State University
3. Virginia Union University
4. Virginia State University
5. Fayetteville State University
6. Chowan University
7. Livingstone College
8. Elizabeth City State University
9. Johnson C. Smith University
10. Shaw University
11. Lincoln (Pa.) University
12. Saint Augustine's University

Predicted Divisional Order of Finish

Northern Division

1. Bowie State University
2. Virginia Union University
3. Virginia State University
4. Chowan University
5. Elizabeth City State University
6. Lincoln (Pa.) University

Southern Division

1. Winston-Salem State University
2. Fayetteville State University
3. Livingstone College
4. Johnson C. Smith University
5. Shaw University
6. Saint Augustine's University