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Deion Sanders doesn’t care about JSU being ranked or FCS playoffs

Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders and Jackson State are a top-five team in the Football College Subdivision (FCS) – and they could care less.

JSU’s win over Southern improved its record to 8-0 on the season and kept it ranked no. 5 in the FCS Coaches Poll. And yet Deion Sanders, who finds motivation in a lot of things, doesn’t put much thought into it.

“I don’t really get too much on the rankings and all that. Who’s doing the rankings? I don’t even know who’s doing the rankings. Really, I don’t.” Sanders said when asked during the SWAC media press conference on Monday. “And I don’t I’ve ever addressed our team once by saying, ‘guys, guess what, this week we’re number five.’ I’ve never done that and I don’t think I ever will. We have a laser focus. 

Deion Sanders Jackson State
Deion Sanders walks through during warmups. (Steven J. Gaither/HBCU Gameday)

And that laser focus is purely on winning the SWAC and getting back to the Celebration Bowl. The same reporter asked Sanders if he had any hopes of competing in the FCS playoffs one day and he was clear about where he stands. 

“I don’t wish that (the FCS playoffs). I’m happy with the Celebration Bowl. I’m enthusiastic with the Celebration Bowl,” Sanders said. “The Celebration Bowl – what they do for us financially – is far greater than what the FCS (playoffs) college bowl game will do for you. I don’t know if we have the resources to travel consistently for three weeks or however long it takes to really be the champions of that.”

The Celebration Bowl is a postseason bowl game between the champions of the two historically black FCS conferences: the MEAC and the SWAC. It’s champions are contractually obligated to compete in the game and that’s just fine with Deion Sanders. 

“Everyone would love to see us play. I would love to see us compete against one of those schools. But financially, I think we’re in a much better place at the celebration of playing for our people as well. I’m truly happy.”  

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