SWAC week 2 Preview
Charles Wells, SWAC Contributor | September 10, 2015
Thursday, September 10
SOUTHERN AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
Thursday • September 10 • 6:30 p.m. CST
Rice-Totten Stadium (10,000) • Itta Bena, Miss.
TV: ESPNU/ESPN 3
Series: Southern leads, 36-9
Last Meeting: November 15, 2014
Southern 44, Mississippi Valley State 13
Two teams that got blown out in two different manners that kind of mirror the direction of both teams. Southern will bombarded thru the air by Louisiana Tech, but was able to have a few explosive plays. MVSU never crossed the 50 yard line as New Mexico set a school rushing record. These teams meet in the Delta on Thursday night where strange things can happen. Southern will be led by their offense. QB Austin Howard is in his second year as a starter and he has lots of targets at his disposal. Lenard Tillery leads the running game. Return Specialist Willie Quinn is a threat any time he touches the ball. The defense will be as usual bend but don’t break. Valley comes into this game with questions on both sides of the ball. They have struggled to move the ball on the ground and in the air. Valley’s chances in this game hinge on forcing turnovers and hoping for some Delta Devil magic. Prediction: SU 31 MVSU 14
Saturday, September 12
TENNESSEE STATE AT JACKSON STATE
Saturday • September 12 • 6:00 p.m. CST
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (59,308) • Memphis, Tenn.
26th Annual Southern Heritage Classic presented by FedEx
TV: None
Series: Tennessee State leads, 14-9
Last Meeting: September 13, 2014 – Memphis, Tenn.
Tennessee State 35 Jackson State 7
These two teams clash again in a battle of the Big Cats. Tennessee State is coming in fresh off a victory over Alabama State in which the scored 3 4th quarter TD’s. Jackson State is off of a loss to FBS foe Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Bengals of JSU are led by their passing duo of QB LaMontez Ivy and WR Dan Williams. Tennessee State started RS Freshman QB O’Shay Ackerman-Carter last week against the Hornets, he did a good enough job to help the Big Blue win the game. JSU’s Darkside Defense will try to make the going rough for the young QB. I see the key factor in this game being JSU’s ability to run the ball to keep TSU honest. If they can do that, the JSU Tigers will win. My prediction: JSU 24 TSU 21
ALCORN STATE AT ALABAMA STATE
Saturday • September 12• 6:00 p.m. CST
ASU Stadium (26,500) • Montgomery, Ala.
TV: None
Series: Alabama State leads 21-20
Last Meeting: October 2, 2012 – Lorman, Miss.
Alcorn State 33, Alabama State 7
In this Battle of the ASU’s, the early SWAC East Lead is on the line. Last season this was supposed to be the brawl for it all in the East but the Braves boat-raced the Hornets on National Television. This season both teams are coming into this crucial early season game off of losses in different fashions. The Hornets lost a heartbreaker to Tennessee State when they couldn’t hold the football in the fourth quarter. The Braves were ran over by Georgia Tech. There are two keys to this game: #1 is quarterback play, against Georgia Tech, Alcorn’s John Gibbs was ineffective due to his inability to make plays on the ground or through the air due to defensive pressure. Alabama State’s QB Daniel Duhart is dealing with an ankle injury. #2 is Alcorn g continuing to grow after the loss of key coaches on both sides of the ball. I expect this to be an emotional affair, since this is Coach Jenkins’ first home game. I feel Alcorn is still the better team although this may be the SWAC’s best shot to get the Braves. Prediction: Alcorn 38 Alabama State 17
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE AT ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
Saturday • September 12 • 6:00 p.m. CST
Golden Lion Stadium (16,000) • Pine Bluff, Ark.
TV: None
Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: None
If ever there was an opportunity for a UAPB win this would be it. The Golden Lions were inconsistent in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against South Carolina State, playing three QB’s and not having much success with either of them. Their top receiver Willie Young was held to one catch and their defense wore down. Facing the D-II Maroon Tigers could be good for what ails the Golden Lions although they are in no position to overlook any team. Morehouse blew out Edward Waters last week so they will head into Pine Bluff feeling good. I expect UAPB to get a couple early scores and hold on to win. Prediction: UAPB 27 Morehouse 20
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT TEXAS STATE
Saturday • September 12 • 6:00 p.m. CST
Bobcat Stadium (30,000) • San Marcos, Texas
TV: ESPN 3 Watch ESPN
Series: Texas State leads, 11-2
Last Meeting: September 7, 2013 – San Marcos, Texas
Texas State 28 Prairie View 3
The Willie Simmons era got off to a great start for the Panthers as they knocked off Texas Southern in the Labor Day Classic. This week they take a step up in competition facing the FBS Bobcats. Texas State is looking to rebound from an opening season loss. The Panthers defense will be tested by the Texas State running game led by QB Tyler Jones. PVU brings an offense led by a two headed RB combo (Courtney Brown and Johnta Hebert) into San Marcos. QB Trey Green was a pleasant surprise for the Panthers as he won the SWAC offensive player of the week in his first start. This should be a high scoring game as both teams should move the ball. In the end the Bobcats will be too much. Prediction: TSU 52 PVU 28
TEXAS SOUTHERN VS BACONE COLLEGE
Saturday • September 12 • 7:00 p.m. CST
BBVA Compass Stadium (22,000) • Houston, Texas
TV: None
Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: None
Where to start, first off who is Bacone you ask? The Warriors are an NAIA school from Muskogee, Oklahoma and the lost their last game to Lamar 66-3. This should be Texas Southern’s first win of the season as the Tigers look to rebound from a disappointing effort against PVU on Saturday. Some believe that coach Asberry is on the hot seat and although it should be a win, games like this don’t quell the flames. The Tigers should have an offensive explosion especially if top receivers Derrick Griffin and Malik Cross can make plays. The defense will be stout in this one for TSU. Bacone will take their second Texas beating in consecutive weeks. Not much else I can say about this one. Prediction: TSU 63 Bacone 7
BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT GRAMBLING STATE
Saturday • September 12 • 6:00 p.m. CST
Eddie Robinson Stadium (19,600) • Grambling, La.
TV: None
Series: Grambling State leads 12-2
Last Meeting: September 13, 2014 – Daytona Beach, Fla.
Bethune-Cookman 36 Grambling State 23
Last year this game was sort of coming out party for the G-Men, even though they came up short on the scoreboard. Both teams are coming off of FBS losses, BCU went down to Miami, FL and Cal knocked off Grambling. First year BCU coach Terry Sims will look to make a statement on the road and Grambling’s Brodrick Fobbs is seeking to prove that the Tigers are top in the SWAC. To me this should have been the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. This should be an entertaining game, I feel GSU’s Johnathan Williams will not be plagued by the INT bug as he was against Cal. The key in this game is simple, the run game: BCU will want to run the ball, can Grambling stop them. For Grambling has a running game developed? After a 112 yard effort from Martez Carter, does this mean the Tigers have a new weapon? This could easily be the game of the week. Prediction: GSU 26 BCU 21