As the SWAC football season enters its final stretch, the race for the East and West divisions is heating up! With thrilling matchups on the horizon, fans of Jackson State, Alabama State, Florida A&M, Southern, and Alcorn State are on the edge of their seats, wondering who will emerge victorious and vie for the championship.
East Division Showdown
Jackson State: The Tigers are in the driver’s seat with an impressive 6-0 conference record and an overall mark of 8-2. The road ahead is clear: a victory over Alabama State next week will clinch the division for Jackson State, securing their place in the championship game.
Alabama State: Don’t count out the Hornets just yet! Alabama State, sitting at 4-2 in conference play, still has a path to the title. If they can sweep their final two games – which includes a crucial rematch against Jackson State – and if the Tigers stumble in both of their last matchups, the Hornets would take the crown via the head-to-head tiebreaker!
Florida A&M: Struggling with the loss to the Prairie View Panthers this past weekend, with a 3-2 conference record, FAMU is still alive but barely after Alabama State’s recent loss to the Grambling State Tigers. For the Rattlers to miraculously clinch the division, they need a unique three-way tie at 6-2, dependent on Alabama State winning out and Jackson State losing both of their remaining games. It’s a long shot, but never say die in college football!
West Division Battle
Southern University: The Jaguars sit at the top of the West standings with a strong 5-1 conference record. Their championship dreams hinge on a simple outcome: a win against UAPB this weekend. Victory would secure their place in the title matchup, setting the stage for an exhilarating SWAC Championship showdown.
Alcorn State: The Braves are lurking just behind, boasting a 4-2 conference record and 5-5 overall. Alcorn still has hopes of clinching the division, but they will need a pair of victories in their final games while simultaneously watching Southern stumble in their next two. The stakes couldn’t be higher!
Eliminations and Remaining Hope
Championship aspirations have faded for several teams, including UAPB, Texas Southern, Prairie View, Grambling State, Bethune-Cookman, Mississippi Valley, and Alabama A&M, all of which are no longer in playoff contention. However, these teams remain committed to enhancing their records over the next two weekends. Coach Mickey Joseph and the Grambling State G-Men are concentrating on overcoming Alabama A&M and clinching victory in the Bayou Classic in New Orleans, LA. Winning the 51st Bayou Classic trophy would cap off a challenging inaugural season for Coach Mickey Joseph on a high note.
With three weeks of SWAC Conference football remaining, the next two weekends will be crucial for confirming the divisional champions. Every snap, pass, and tackle could decide the fate of these teams as they push for their shot at the crown.
With the SWAC championship on the line, the drama of this season is unparalleled. Will Jackson State maintain their dominance? Can Alabama State stage a comeback? Is FAMU destined for an unexpected rise? And how will Southern and Alcorn fare in their quest for glory?
As the action unfolds this weekend and next weekend, fans will be treated to exciting play, fierce rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of championship glory in the SWAC. The wonderful thing is SWAC fans can view games across the country on HBCUGO, ESPN+ and the SWAC Network on YouTube.
SWAC Game Schedule – Football Week 12
Thursday, November 14
– Grambling State University (GSU) at Alabama A&M
– Time: 7:00 PM CT
– Broadcast: ESPN U
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Saturday, November 16
– Mississippi Valley State University at FAMU
– Time: 12:00 PM CT
– Broadcast: HBCU Go Sports
– Jackson State University at Alabama State University
– Time: 2:00 PM CT
– Broadcast: ESPN+
Alcorn State University at Prairie View A&M University
– Time: 2:00 PM CT
– Broadcast: ESPN+
UAPB at Southern University
– Time: 2:00 PM CT
– Broadcast: ESPN+
Bethune Cookman at Texas Southern University
– Time: 2:30 PM CT
– Broadcast: SWAC Digital Network
