ROBERT HARRIS JR.
HBCU GAMEDAY SWAC BLOGGER
Prairie View vs. Texas A&M
Prairie View is coming off a memorable victory over Texas Southern in the Labor Day Classic, as they head to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. PVAM quarterback Trey Green was 16-32 for 203 yards with two touchdowns, and two interceptions along with 37 yards on the ground with a touchdown against TxSU. If Prairie View wants to keep it close, it starts with Green leading the offense early in the game.
Texas A&M is coming off an overtime victory over UCLA 31-24, where the Aggies had 442 yards total. Over 200 yards came from its ground game, while Prairie View struggled to stop the run against TxSU.
PREDICTION: TEXAS A&M 54, PVAM 23
Alabama A&M vs. Mississippi Valley State
Alabama A&M will be looking to put its first scoring drive together where they were shutout by Middle Tennessee 55-0. The Bulldogs only had 146 yards total as a team, where QB De’Angelo Ballard was 4-for-17 for just 28 yards. The defense wasn’t much help either as the Bulldogs couldn’t stop anything, allowing 681 total yards, 435 of those in the passing game.
Mississippi Valley State suffered a loss against Eastern Michigan 61-14, as they had a tough time stopping the run where the defense allowed 281 yards on the ground. There is a bright spot that the Delta Devils have is a new quarterback in Austin Bray who took over for injured Rubin Thurston Jr. Bray threw for 18-36, 146 yards a touchdown against EMU.
PREDICTION: Mississippi Valley State 20, Alabama A&M 6
Alabama State vs. Alcorn State *Game of the Week*
This game is the game of the week for two reasons: one it’s a SWAC East matchup and the second reason is that these are the two best defenses teams’ in the SWAC. Alabama State is coming off a loss against the UTSA Roadrunners 26-13. Standout running back Khalid Thomas had 93 yards on the ground with a touchdown against the FBS school, but ASU had a tough time moving the ball on offense. Alcorn State’s game against Bethune-Cookman was canceled due to severe thunderstorm in the area. Lenorris Footman is probably the best dual quarterback in the SWAC, and I just don’t think Alabama State’s offense can keep up with Alcorn’s offense.
PREDICTION: Alcorn State 30, Alabama State 13
Oklahoma Panhandle State vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Arkansas Pine-Bluff looks to bounce back after losing to Tennessee State 44-0. TheGolden Lions had a tough time stopping the passing game of the Tigers, allowing 259 yards. The Golden Lions had 14 penalties in this game which caused a lot of trouble in that game. Quarterback Brandon Duncan should have a coming out party in this game and reconnect with go to wide-out Willie Young, who only had three catches for 31 yards. Oklahoma Panhandle State faced Sam Houston State Bearkats where they lost 59-21. Quarterback Shane Truelove threw for 17-27 for 219 yards for a touchdown. This game should be a confidence builder for the Golden Lions.
PREDICTION: Arkansas Pine-Bluff 35, OK Panhandle St. 10
Jackson State vs. Tennessee State (The Heritage Classic)
Jackson State opened the first game for the SWAC, where they loss against UNLV 63-13. LaMontiez Ivy threw for 134 yards with a touchdown and interception and the Tigers allowed 503 yards total on defense, and most of the yards came from rushing the ball where they surrender 280 yards. Tennessee State shutout Arkansas Pine-Bluff 44-0 last week in there home-opener, as QB O’Shay Ackerman threw for 259 yard with two touchdowns, and an interception. Tennessee State will continue to roll against the Jackson State in this game.
PREDICTION: Tennessee State 45 Jackson State 21
Southern vs. Tulane
Southern came up short against Louisiana Monroe last week, losing 38-21. Running back LeNard Tillery rushed for 161 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown for the Jaguars. Southern’s defense forced two interceptions from defensive back Danny Johnson, but was not successful of stopping the passing game from the Warhawks allowing 325 yards. Tulane only scored three points facing Wake Forest in their first game of the season and I think Southern can upset this team in this matchup.
PREDICTION: Southern 27 Tulane 10
Texas Southern vs. Houston Baptist
Texas Southern lost a tough game against Prairie View in the Labor Day Classic 25-29. TSU had some bright spots early with quarterback Jay Christophe before he went down with injury as he was 5-for-8, throwing for 112 yards and a touchdown. True freshman running back Tylor Cook rushed the ball for 67 yards and a touchdown, and receiver Derrick Griffin had six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Texas Southern is facing a Houston Baptist team who allowed they allowed 56 points to Central Arkansas, and the Huskies allowed 283 yards rushing on defense, and Texas Southern has a new 1-2 punch with Cook and Brad Woodard. Texas Southern will likely get the victory over the Houston Baptist.
PREDICTION: Texas Southern 35 Houston Baptist 13
Grambling State vs. Arizona
Grambling dominated Virginia Lynchburg last week 72-12. Newcomer quarterback Devonte’ Kincaid had a good game throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two touchdowns, only thing he has to be careful is with the accuracy as he also threw for three interceptions. Even though Grambling had a good home opener against Lynchburg the stats or the score did not count, so they are still 0-0.
Now the GSU heads to Arizona to play an FBS aka “Money Game.” The Wildcats are coming off a loss against BYU 18-16 and will be looking to pounce on the Tigers on their home opener.
PREDICTION: Arizona 50 Grambling 14