Here are the Top 5 teams (presented in no particular order and without commercial interruption) in the SWAC following Thursday night’s Alcorn State-Alabama State game.
1. Alcorn State
2. Alcorn State
3. Alcorn State
4. Alcorn State
5. Alcorn State
The Braves destroyed Alabama State 33-7 on national TV .
Did ya’ll see that?
It wasn’t even close from the opening kickoff.
There is no doubt that Alcorn State is the best team in the SWAC this season.
The offense was held under its season average and still won by a bunch of touchdowns.
I adore John Gibbs Jr. This kid can do everything at QB. Run. Pass. Read a defense. He’s unicorn a conference full of “maybe,” “should be,”we hope” so or “can’t cut it” at the position.
This Darryan Ragsdale. You wanna talk about a playmaker… he weaved, cut, darted and strolled all through the Alabama State defense at 7.9 yards per attempt. Those are Malcolm Cryus numbers, people.
The defense is nasty, barbaric and can actually tackle. That group held the aforementioned Cyrus — the best rusher in the conference — to just 63 yards.
Considering how Alcorn State has rolled through the first six weeks of the regular season, it is hard to fathom them not being in Houston come December to compete for the SWAC championship.
THE FORECAST:
Grambling State vs. Alabama A&M
Grambling State’s third string QB might be better than both team’s regulars in this one.
Grambling State 24, Alabama A&M 17
Jackson State vs. Prairie View
Prairie View is the most disappointing team in the SWAC. The Panthers were supposed to be good. They’re 0-4. Injuries, poor play and discipline issues have plagued this bunch. But why do I feel like they can actually beat Jackson State? Oh, because the Tigers have played down to the level of their competition all season.
Prairie View 28, Jackson State 21
Southern vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Arkansas Pine-Bluff showed a little spunk last week by taking Jackson State to overtime. Quarterback Ben Anderson actually looked like the guy many expected him to be against the Tigers. The defense was a little more touchdown-resistent. Maybe there is hope.
Southern head coach Dawson Odums talks a good game. Too bad his team doesn’t play good ones consistently enough. This will be a close call on homecoming.
Southern 31, Arkansas Pine-Bluff, 27
South Carolina State vs. North Carolina A&T
Two of the elite teams in the MEAC will square off in this one. This will be the best game of the weekend.
South Carolina State 20, North Carolina A&T 16
Bethune-Cookman vs. Delaware State
Bethune-Cookman barely survived DII Florida Tech last week. It was a wake up call for Wildcats, according to head coach Brian Jenkins. At 1-4, Delaware State will wish B-CU had remained in their slumber.
Bethune Cookman 37, Delaware State 17
Livingstone vs. Elizabeth City State
Livingstone has been a consistent bottom-feeder for years in the CIAA. The Blue Bears currently have the best record in the conference. Elizabeth City State is 1-4. They’re rarely one and anything at this stage of the season.
Livingstone 20, Elizabeth City State 19
