SWAC Blogger Picks: WEEK 10

Robert Harris Jr.

HBCU GAMEDAY BLOGGER

Last week I went 4-1 in the SWAC PICKS for Week 9: Let’s see if I can go undefeated in this upcoming week here are my picks:

In this matchup both teams are still seeking their way to the top of the standings in the SWAC. Prairie View A&M defeated Jackson State last week 28-14, as the Panthers shut down the running game of the JSU Tigers only allowing negative-three yards on the ground. Alcorn State lost a close one to the Southern Jaguars last week 41-33, allowing 257 yards on the ground. The key matchup for this game will be if the Prairie View defense can force Alcorn’s Lenorris Footman to beat them with his arm and not his feet. If they do that, it could be a long day for the two-time defending champs. 

Prediction: Prairie View 30, Alcorn State24

Both teams were victorious last week with Grambling defeated Pine-Bluff 70-0, and Alabama A&M defeated Alabama State in the Magic City Classic in a overtime thriller 42-41. Grambling comes into this matchup ranked 19th in the NCAA FCS POLL, and you can see why the G-Men are so dominating. GSU ranks first in scoring, pass offense, and defense. In this matchup Grambling has to focus on the running game with Jestin Kelly and Lyndemian Brooks as we aren’t sure if Martez Carter will play in this competition. If the running game helps Grambling out, while the Bulldogs allow 211 yards on the ground.

Prediction: Grambling 50, Alabama A&M 14

Jackson Statelost a heartbreaking Homecoming game against Prairie View A&M last week 28-14. The Tigers could not get anything going on in the running game only having negative-three yards for the whole game. Alabama State lost in overtime to Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic 42-41. In this game the Hornets had a tough time throwing the ball only having 60 yards in total passing. The key to this matchup is going the running game from ASU Khalid Thomas who has been running the ball consistently this season averaging 106 yards per game, and a Tigers defense who allows 126 yards per game.

PREDICTION: AlabamaState 35, Jackson State21

The only question I’m going to ask for this matchup is…. Which team wants it more? Mississippi Valley State has not won a game this season, and Arkansas Pine-Bluff has won one game this season, The Golden Lions are on a five-game losing streak, and ever since the Alcorn Stateupset this season the team hasn’t got it together since then, wasting a fine senior season by Willie Young, who has caught a SWAC-high 57 passes for 754 yards and five touchdowns.

So again back to my question earlier…. Which team wants it more? 

PREDICTION: ArkansasPine-Bluff 16, Mississippi Valley State13 (OT)

Southern was victorious over Alcorn State41-33 last week as Lenard Tillery recorded 195 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. He surpassed former Jackson State running back Destry Wright to become the SWAC All-Time leading rusher! Texas Southern lost to Sam Houston in a non-conference matchup 66-17, as the Bearcats dominated the Tigers in total offensive yards 591-420. The only question for this matchup: Can Texas Southern keep up with Southern’s high octane offense that averages 40 points per game?

PREDICTION: Southern 45, Texas Southern 23