 |
| (On The Yard SU photo) |
Robert Harris Jr.
HBCU GAMEDAY BLOGGER
I had a pleasure of going 4-1 last week with the picks, let’s see if I can go undefeated this upcoming week in the SWAC here are my picks for this week:
Alcorn Statevs. Mississippi Valley State
HBCU Gameday would like to give kudos to Mississippi Valley Stateon their first victory of the season. The Delta Devils have a tough task heading into this matchup against the Alcorn State Braves this Saturday. Even though, the Braves have been playing inconsistently this season I don’t see them having a problem this week against MSVS. The Braves will not have starting quarterback Lenorris Footman in this game due to injuries, they will have to rely on freshman Noah Johnson to lead the offense, and the Delta Devils allows 420 yards as a total defense per game.
PREDICTION: Alcorn State45, MSVS 14
Southern vs. Prairie View A&M (Game of the Week)
This is the game everyone should have their eyes on because both teams are dominating in the SWAC West other than Grambling. The key matchup in this game will be how Prairie View quarterback Jalen Morton will look against that tough pass defense of the Southern, which is ranked first in yards allowed, only giving up 204 per game. The other key matchup will be PVAMU defensive line against SU quarterback Austin Howard, as the Panthers lead the SWAC with 33 sacks. Which defense will show up in this matchup to take control of the SWAC West?
PREDICTION: Prairie View 30, Southern 24 (Upset)
Alabama A&M vs. Jackson State
Both teams are still in the running for the SWAC East title, Jackson State lost by a touchdown last week against Alabama State, while on the other hand Alabama A&M lost to Grambling 56-17.The key to this matchup is Bulldogs quarterback De’Angelo “Tutie” Ballard against that tough Jackson State defense which ranks 2nd in both pass & rush defense. The Tigers have a tough time with a quarterback who is a dual-threat with his arm & legs. On the other hand, can the Tigers come with a strong running game to help out quarterback Jarin Morikawa which the Bulldogs are dead last stopping the run allowing (229) yards per game. The Bulldogs will be victorious due to the weapons on offense compared to the Tigers.
PREDICTION: AlabamaA&M 31, JacksonState 24
Alabama Statevs. Grambling State(Red River Classic)
In this matchup two great teams are going to battle it out for the Red River Classic in Shreveport, Louisiana. Grambling comes into this game ranked first in pretty much any category in the SWAC this season. Devante’ Kincade is on another level this season with 23 touchdown passes with only one interception! GSU running back Jestin Kelly is coming off a 200 yard rushing game, alongside with wide-receiver Chad Williams had six receptions for 97 yards with two touchdowns last week against Alabama A&M. The key is to this matchup is whether Alabama State’soffense can keep up with Grambling’s offense.
PREDICTION: Grambling 45, Alabama State 13
Arkansas Pine-Bluff vs. Texas Southern
Both of these teams are struggling right now, Arkansas Pine-Bluff is on a six-game losing streak, and Texas Southern is on a four game losing streak. Which teams wants it more?
Texas Southern has been competitive this whole season, but it’s just the small mistakes that hinder the team. UAPB is depleted on the defensive side, the Golden Lions allow 42 points per game, and cannot get anything going on the offensive side only scoring 14 points per game. TexasSouthern starting quarterback Averion Hurts will not play in this matchup due to injuries, so backup quarterback Johnathan Bowen will get a chance to start in this contest. The Golden Lions allow 289 yards in the passing game which is dead last in the SWAC.
‘Which team can break the losing streak?
PREDICTION: TexasSouthern 31, ArkansasPine-Bluff 7