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| Eleven months after standing JSU up, Grambling is will finally roll out to Jackson. |
Game Of The Week: Grambling State at Jackson State
Grambling and Jackson State are set for another grudge match between the two teams this weekend in Jackson. That’s nothing new as these two squads have been rivals since before Eddie Robinson and John Merritt turned them into powerhouses. The rivalry will take on new meaning this year, however, as Grambling returns to JSU for the first time since its infamous boycott shutdown last year’s game. The folks at JSU were understandably upset, as they were slated to play Grambling for homecoming, the biggest event at any HBCU every single year.
We will #NeverForget @HBCUGameday #JSU pic.twitter.com/gALwvV4wVY
– Satchel Page (@bluesatch) September 19, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Grambling’s boycott not only represented a missed game, it represented missed economic funds for the hotels, vendors, and of course, the school itself. While how much money was lost and who should be responsible for it will likely be fought in the courts for years to come, expect Jackson State to do everything it can to make sure that Grambling’s trip to JSU will be an uncomfortable one.
As for the on-the-field action, this game could be a little more interesting than many people first thought. While Grambling was predictably blown out of its first two games, it put up a respectable fight against nationally-ranked Bethune-Cookman. JSU started out 2-0, but was thoroughly handled by Tennessee State last week in the John Southern Heritage Classic.
This game could be close, but look for JSU to enact its revenge on its SWAC West rival.
Alabama State over UAPB (Thursday)
Prairie View over Southern
Texas Southern over Alabama A&M
Alcorn State over Mississippi Valley State
It was not the John Merritt Classic. JSU playes Tennessee State every year in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis every year.