SWAC week 4 Preview
Charles Wells, SWAC Contributor | September 24, 2015
NO. 7 GEORGIA vs. SOUTHERN
Saturday September 26 11:00 a.m. CST
Sanford Stadium (92,746) Athens, Ga.
TV: SEC Network
Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: None
The Jaguars have been explosive in their last two games scoring 50 points in each, they’ve done it with all three phases of the game. Strong running, big passing plays, turnovers by the defense, and special teams TDs. This week the challenge is much, much greater. The Bulldogs are on a role and are the favorites to win the SEC East. The Bulldogs will be led by Nick Chubb at running back and QB Grayson Lambert (who had an historical performance last week). As usual with FBS games my mentality is to use them as an opportunity to work on things that have shown up in previous games. Regardless of the outcome, Southern has shown they are a contender in the SWAC. So the key is to survive now and thrive later.
Prediction: UGA 65 Southern 14
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF @ ALABAMA A&M
Saturday September 26 1:00 p.m. CST
Louis Crews Stadium (21,000) Normal, Ala.
TV: None
Series: Alabama A&M leads, 15-6
Last Meeting: November 22, 2014 – Pine Bluff, Ark.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20, Alabama A&M 19
This is a battle of two teams trying to find an identity, AAMU seems to be closer to finding it than UAPB. Last week AAMU played decent but couldn’t stop Prairie View, while UAPB could have beaten Texas Southern if they could have stayed out of their own way. AAMU may have found their QB, De’Angelo Ballard had a big game last week earning newcomer of the week honors. If that’s the case then this game will lean more towards the Bulldogs. I firmly believe they have the better running game. UAPB is showing the signs of a young team consistent inconsistency. Turnovers continue to plague them and until they get that fixed, I can’t confidently pick them. Brain Handley will have to get the running game going and while Marcus Terrell appears to be their QB he’ll have to be smart with the ball and manage the game. AAMU’s defense will apply plenty of pressure. Last year’s game was close, I don’t see it this year.
Prediction: AAMU 31 UAPB 12
ALCORN STATE VS CONCORDIA (AL)
Saturday September 26 2:00 p.m. CST
Jack Spinks Stadium (22,500) Lorman, Miss.
TV: None
Series: Alcorn State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: October 22, 2011 – Lorman, Miss
Alcorn State 58, Concordia 16
After a season opening loss to Georgia Tech, Alcorn has won two straight SWAC games to jump to the top of the East Division. The Braves will win this easily as Concordia has no answer for what the Braves are doing on offense. The Braves will run, run, run, and pass when necessary. John Gibbs, Jr. is settling in this season as he had a huge game against Valley last week. This one won’t be close as the Braves will get their big plays in and get ready for the rest of SWAC play.
Prediction: ASU 64 Concordia 3
ALABAMA STATE @ MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
Saturday September 26 6:00 p.m. CST
Rice-Totten Stadium (10,000) Itta Bena, Miss.
TV: None
Series: Alabama State leads, 25-16-1
Last Meeting: September 13, 2014 – Montgomery, Ala.
Alabama State 47, Mississippi Valley State 22
Valley is the cure for what ails ya, this week it’s Alabama State’s turn. It’s unfair to pick on Valley at this point as they are very young and have kids playing who shouldn’t be at this point. But it’s gone worse than even I thought. The defense is getting shredded weekly and they can’t generate pass rush or stop the run. And the offense has no flow, because they can’t decide on a QB or a RB. This week should be they week ASU finally gets over the hump, they’ve had injuries at the QB position and turnovers have cost them. Last week they did not look good against Grambling, I expect them to get the running game going early and take control. LB Kourtney Berry should have a field day.
Prediction: ASU 42 Valley 9
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M VS GRAMBLING STATE
Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic
Saturday September 26 6:00 p.m. CST
Cotton Bowl (92,100) Dallas, Texas
TV: None
Series: Grambling State leads, 49-18-1
Last Meeting: September 27, 2014 – Dallas, Texas
Grambling State 26, Prairie View A&M 20
This is the SWAC game of the week and it should be filled with offense. Both teams will look to put plenty of points on the board. I don’t envy the defensive coaches in this one. Grambling’s offense is led by QB Johnathan Williams and he will look to put the ball in the air frequently. He has multiple targets led by Chad Williams (19 catches on the year). Grambling isn’t consistent with the ground game yet which could be a factor. PVU on the other hand can run the ball as well as pass it. QB Trey Green has been a pleasant surprise for the Panthers and their two headed RB combo of Courtney Brown and Johnta Hebert can pile up the yards. This is a big game in the West Division, the loser will face the possibility of falling too far behind.
Prediction: PVU 38 GSU 31
JACKSON STATE VS TEXAS SOUTHERN
Saturday September 26 6:00 p.m. CST
Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (60,492) Jackson, Miss.
TV: None
Series: Jackson State leads, 40-18-1
Last Meeting: October 25, 2014 – Houston, Texas
Jackson State 15, Texas Southern 10
Texas Southern is in search of momentum and Jackson State is in search of a victory. TSU has won two games (one an easy blowout and the other a sloppy closer than it needed to be affair) and we still don’t know what the Tigers are yet. The Blue Bengals of JSU have given up lots of points. The key to this game is defense, JSU has proven it can move the ball in the air and although they don’t run much they do have capable runners. TSU has to be ready to get pressure on QB LaMontiez Ivy and hope the secondary can cover Dan Williams and Jarious Moll. IF the D struggles then TSU is in for a long night. Texas Southern is still developing their offensive attack although Johnathan Bowen has stepped up at QB. The Maroon Tigers do have weapons, the key will be can they take care of the ball. This is a close to a must win as you can have at this point in the season. If JSU doesn’t win the coach’s seat will be on fire and they may not have another game they are favored in until October 24. TSU is already 1-1 in SWAC and they can’t afford losses to teams who may not contend.
Prediction: JSU 28 TSU 17