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| Quarterback Ben Anderson will attempt to lead UAPB to back-to-back SWAC titles in 2013. (Jet photo) |
The SWAC released its 2013 preseason predicted finish at Monday’s annual preseason media day. Check out the list below for a glimpse of our first impressions.
| Dray Joseph and Southern were predicted to finish second in the SWAC West Division |
West Division
1. UAPB-The defending champs return a wealth of talent from last season’s squad, including preseason Offensive Player of The Year Ben Anderson.
2. Southern-The Jaguars are lead by a strong passing game featuring QB Dray Joseph and WR Lee Doss.
3. Prairie View A&M-Prarie View has a potentially explosive offense, but their passing defense must improve.
4. Grambling State– The Tigers are looking to rebound from last season’s forgettable 1-10 record.
5. Texas Southern– TSU’s defense allowed a SWAC-high 344 points last season. OUCH!
East Division
1. Alabama State– ASU lost a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball (QB Greg Jenkins among them) but former Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell is back for another run.
2. Jackson State– The defending division champs have a strong running game and the defensive back Qua Cox, the conference’s preseason Defensive Player of The Year.
3. Alabama A&M-A&M could be a dark horse this season.
4. Mississippi Valley State– The Delta Devils feature talented players at several positions, including WR/KR Julian Stafford and DL Robert Simpson.
5. Alcorn State– The Braves finished 4-5 in 2012. Not much more is expected of them in 2013.
No one should be shocked that UAPB was predicted to win its division. They return pretty much everyone one offense, minus current New Orleans Saints rookie Terron Armstead, and their defense remains largely intact.
It is a little shocking to see Alabama State picked above Jackson State in the East, however. Clayton Moore returns at quarterback for a second season, and will be joined in the backfield by Rakeem Sims and Tommy Gooden, one of the better one-two running combos in the league. And that’s not even to mention shutdown corner Qua Cox. Alabama State certainly has a solid weapon in Crowell (15 TDs in 2012), but there were losses as well.
In any event, these are just predictions and opinions. Some may get lucky and get a few right, but the season is played on the field and not in hotel rooms.