There are a total of 18 non-conference games on the composite SWAC football schedule for the 2011 season. The maximum number of games would be 20 under the SWAC’s current 9 game scheduling format, but Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State have only 10 games scheduled for the upcoming 2011 campaign.
2011 SWAC Football Non-Conference Opponents (By Team)
Alabama A&M: Tuskegee, Hampton
Alabama State: Eastern Michigan, Tuskegee
Alcorn State: Concordia (AL)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Langston, Clark-Atlanta
Grambling: Louisiana-Monroe, Concordia (AL)
Jackson State: Tennessee State, Concordia (AL)
Mississippi Valley State: South Alabama
Prairie View A&M: Bethune Cookman, Texas State
Southern: Tennessee State, Florida A&M
Texas Southern: Texas College, Central State
Here are some key points about the SWAC’s non conference opponents.
Of the 18 non conference games scheduled
- 3 are against FBS opponents.
- 6 are against FCS opponents.
- 5 are against HBCUs that play at the FCS level.
- 9 are against opponents playing at the DII/NAIA level.
- Concordia (AL) – a NAIA program – appears 3 times on the SWAC non-conference schedule.
- Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas Southern play non-conference schedules made up entirely of schools that play at the DII or NAIA level.
Last year SWAC teams finished with a combined win-loss record of 8-11 against non-conference opponents. Three of those losses were against teams that play below the FCS level (2 losses to Tuskegee and 1 against Arkansas-Monticello).
UPDATE: Since this post Mississippi Valley State has added Murray State to its 2011 schedule.
With that said, you be the judge;
[poll id=”24″]
Feel free to comment in the comment section.
Hey Ken,
I said no becuase it really doesn’t matter on that level anyway do to the fact that the SWAC gave up its playoff spot and that there is not a RPI rating used in the SWAC anyway. Playing bigger schools might improve play for conference but schools sometimes need a win for confidence and for homecoming. Also, playing bigger schools might ganrantee a check but you will get injuries for sure. Scheduling larger are smaller schools would not effect anyones schedule in the SWAC. SOUTHERN, GRAMBLING,and JACKSON STATE are usually large draws for bigger schools regaurdless of record. However, it really does not matter..
Sean Benton, M.ed.
Hey Check out my blog as well at realsportsrealtalk.wordpress.com ( my own sports blog) comments are welcomed…..
I think the scheduling does matter, especially as it pertains to the SWAC creditability in the bowl subdivision (1-AA). Last year Grambling entered the 8th or 9th week of the season with one loss and barely cracked the top 25. Two loss teams from the MEAC were ahead of Grambling. I hate the fact the SWAC gave up the chance to play in the playoffs; it cripples the entire league. Schools like Grambling, Southern(when they bounce back), Prairie View and Alcorn(in a year or two) need to schedule stiffer competition in the bowl subdivision ranks.
I am a Tennessee Tech graduate – we are an FCS school who only has 10 games scheduled. One of our open dates corresponds to an open date for Alcorn State. According to our AD, and offer was made to play home OR away against Alcorn State but “Alcorn refused either…” Does anyone know why they would turn down a potential home game???