BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2016 football television schedule which includes 14 contests that will spread across six different networks.
Nine of the 10 member institutions will either be featured on ABC, ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN3 or NBC Sports Network. All games are available in standard high-definition.
The defending SWAC champions will open college football’s slate of games Sunday, Sept. 4 in the annual [lasso align=”right” cart=”y” identifier=”B015T5KJZQ” locale=”US” tag=”hbcusports-20″ ref=”amzn-alcorn-state-university-braves-socks-argyle-design-pair” type=”single” id=”72003″ link_id=”4793″]MEAC/SWAC Challenge when Alcorn State faces Bethune-Cookman. The opener will be known as the Battle of the Beach in Daytona Beach, Fla. Kickoff for the Fred McNair era will air live at 12 p.m. CT. on ESPN. That same evening at 5 p.m. CT on ESPNU, Texas Southern will help rival Prairie View A&M break in its all new football stadium with the Labor Day Classic.
Alabama State second year head coach Brian Jenkins visits defending SWAC Champion Alcorn State Saturday, Sept 10 on ESPN3 at 6 p.m. CT. Rivals once again collide Saturday, Sept 17 when the league’s runner-ups in Grambling State travel to Jackson State for a battle on ESPN3
The Thursday night slate of ESPNU games start Sept. 15 when Arkansas-Pine Bluff travels to Alcorn State for a 6:30 p.m. CT. kickoff. After a two-year hiatus, the Turkey Day Classic returns to ESPN3 when Alabama State plays host to Miles College Thanksgiving Day at 3 p.m.
The postseason starts with the yearly SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas Saturday, Dec. 3 at NRG Stadium. The East and West Division Champions will meet on ESPNU. The time is TBD.
The TV line up concludes with the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Saturday, December 17, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. The kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. CT on ABC
More games may potentially be added as the season progresses.
Date, Game, Site, Time (CST) Network
Sunday, September 4, Alcorn State at Bethune-Cookman, Daytona Beach, Fla., 12:00 p.m. ESPN
Sunday, September 4, Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M, Prairie View, Texas, 5 p.m. ESPNU
Saturday, September 10, Prairie View A&M at Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, 11:00 a.m. SEC Network+
Saturday, September 10, Alabama State at Alcorn State, Lorman, Miss., 6 p.m. ESPN3*
Thursday, September 15, Arkansas Pine Bluff at Alcorn State, Lorman, Miss., 6:30 p.m. ESPNU
Saturday, September 17, Grambling State at Jackson State, Jackson, Miss., 6 p.m. ESPN3*
Saturday, October 1, Alcorn State at Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark, TBD SEC Network+
Saturday, October 29 Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State Montgomery, Ala., 3 p.m. ESPN3*
Saturday, November 5 Alcorn State at Prairie View A&M Prairie View, Texas, TBD ESPN3
Saturday, November 19 Alabama A&M at Auburn Auburn, Ala., TBD SEC Network+
Thursday, November 24 Miles College at Alabama State Montgomery, Ala., 3:00 p.m. ESPN3
Saturday, November 26 Southern vs. Grambling State New Orleans, La., 4 p.m. NBC Sports Net
Saturday, December 3 SWAC Football Championship Houston, Texas, TBD ESPNU
Saturday, December 17 AFR Celebration Bowl Atlanta, Ga., 11:00 a.m. ABC
Game times are central and subject to change.
*Tape delayed on ESPNU
Courtesy: SWAC
