COLUMBIA, S.C. – Saturday's final home football game against Albany State University could be a measuring stick game for the Benedict Tigers.

Benedict (4-4 overall, 2-2 SIAC) has won two games in a row, but how will they fare against the only conference unbeaten team in the SIAC East Division?

Benedict has the top-ranked passing offense in the SIAC, but how will they fare against one of the best defenses, not only in the SIAC, but in all of Division II?

The Benedict defense has given up just three touchdowns over the last two games, but how will they fare against a Golden Ram team that averages three touchdowns per game and has a running back with six straight games of more than 100 yards rushing?

Gameday Central

Albany State Golden Rams (5-2, 4-0) at Benedict Tigers (4-4, 2-2), 2 p.m.

Radio: Stretch Internet

Live stats: Here

Albany State (5-2, 4-0 SIAC) comes in on a five-game winning streak. And they've done it with an incredibly stingy defense and an offense that may not be spectacular, but extremely efficient. Albany State is first in the SIAC and is second in the country in total defense (220.1 yards per game); first in the SIAC and fourth in the country in scoring defense (13 points per game); and first in the SIAC and second in the country in passing yards allowed (131.3).

"It's going to be a great, great challenge," Benedict coach James Woody said. "I welcome the challenge with these guys because we're peaking at the right time. Offensively, the guys are in great spirits. We're at home, we have a winning streak going, so it could be something special.

"Coach (James 'Mike') White does a great job with that defense. They're big, they're strong and they fly around the football. So we've got our work cut out for us."

Woody is still waiting on official word on the return of quarterback Cameron Stover. Stover suffered a concussion against Clark Atlanta two weeks ago, and did not play in the second half of that contest and missed last week's Homecoming win over Morehouse. Marcus Graham has played the last six quarters at quarterback.

"When you have a concussion, you have to let it rest. We're just waiting for the OK from our doctors and trainers and we'll see what happens," Woody said. "Marcus is getting some reps and hopefully later on in the week Cam will be OK, but right now we're expecting Marcus to carry this load."

Albany State's game plan against the Tigers is to shut down their run game and make the Tigers throw the ball. While that plays into Benedict's strength, it also plays into Albany State's strong pass defense.

"They love to throw the ball and have some great athletes. Defensively, we have to be ready," Albany State head coach James 'Mike' White said. "We know they're going to complete balls and move the ball, they're that good. But at the same time, we can not allow big plays and we can't blow any coverages. We'll try to limit what they can do on the ground and make them one dimensional in throwing the football, which is still their game, and see if we can match up that way."

Although Albany State averages three sacks per game, second in the SIAC and 22^nd in the country, White said the Golden Rams are not good at putting pressure on the quarterback, a factor that will be key in Saturday's game.

"We've got to put pressure on them with a pass rush," White said. "The hard part, we don't have that kind of pass rush. Our pass rush has not been up to the challenge all year. We're not a great pass rushing team. Our secondary has given us another step or two to get towards them. We'll lean on that more than we will on putting pressure on him or blitzing him. It is important for us to make sure we're coving and buying more time for our pass rushers to get home."

Woody said it is important for the Tigers to measure themselves against Albany State, the defending SIAC champions and a team that is a frequent participant in the NCAA playoffs.

"It doesn't get any better. We need to understand what it takes to get where they are," Woody said. "And I think our kids are finally understanding how to be a winner and how to put ourselves in a place to compete for a championship. We're not there right now, but we're not far away. We're constantly building and getting better. I'm excited, the number one passing offense against the number one defense. That's where you want to be and we'll see how these kids respond."