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Alcorn State at Grambling, Sept. 24
A rematch of the 2015 conference title game in September? This seems like a perfect place to start with for the top games in the SWAC. Alcorn State roughed up Grambling last December with a 49-21 win to take home the championship, and the Tigers haven't forgotten that loss. Alcorn and Prairie View A&M have been picked as the preseason favorites, so Grambling will want to make an early statement that it is still the team to beat. The early date marks the first time the two teams will meet in the regular season since last year's 35-34 thriller in Mississippi when Grambling won on a blocked extra point and subsequently produced tears from GSU coach Broderick Fobbs.
Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M, State Fair Classic, Oct. 1
The annual rivalry in Dallas takes on new heights this year now that Prairie View has the label as the team to beat in the SWAC. If 2015's thriller was any indication, this early October meeting should once again produce eye popping numbers. Grambling held of Prairie View last year in a game that featured 854 total yards and 124 points. Grambling's defense should be more improved, but Prairie View returns several key pieces to an offense that led the SWAC in points and yards.
Grambling vs. Southern, Bayou Classic, Nov. 26
Most years, this is the top attraction in the SWAC. That's not to say the Bayou Classic has lost its luster, because it hasn't. However, Southern is slightly behind Alcorn State, Prairie View and Grambling in the SWAC arms race. From Grambling's point of view, this is always the biggest game of the year, although the previous two games listed certainly pack a powerful punch this year. Neither team has an open date heading into the Bayou Classic — this is almost unheard of in the rivalry — so that adds a different twist to this Thanksgiving weekend game.
Alcorn State at Prairie View A&M, Nov. 5
Depending on what happens with Alcorn-Grambling and Grambling-Prairie View earlier in the year, this game could set up as SWAC title game preview. The preseason favorites meet in Texas late in the year in what will be billed as one of the must-see matchups of the year. Prairie View handed Alcorn State a 34-30 loss in 2015. Alcorn will have its eyes set on revenge regardless of positioning in the conference race.
Alabama State at Alcorn State, Sept. 10
As the two-time defending SWAC champions, Alcorn has run through the league without many challenges in the East Division. Both of the Braves' losses in 2015 came from the West Division via Grambling and Prairie View. Could this be the year Alabama State, which has lingered in second the last two years, makes a move back to the top? Although the game is in Mississippi, Alabama State could make a huge early statement by knocking off Alcorn.
Alcorn State at Grambling, Sept. 24
A rematch of the 2015 conference title game in September? This seems like a perfect place to start with for the top games in the SWAC. Alcorn State roughed up Grambling last December with a 49-21 win to take home the championship, and the Tigers haven't forgotten that loss. Alcorn and Prairie View A&M have been picked as the preseason favorites, so Grambling will want to make an early statement that it is still the team to beat. The early date marks the first time the two teams will meet in the regular season since last year's 35-34 thriller in Mississippi when Grambling won on a blocked extra point and subsequently produced tears from GSU coach Broderick Fobbs.
Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M, State Fair Classic, Oct. 1
The annual rivalry in Dallas takes on new heights this year now that Prairie View has the label as the team to beat in the SWAC. If 2015's thriller was any indication, this early October meeting should once again produce eye popping numbers. Grambling held of Prairie View last year in a game that featured 854 total yards and 124 points. Grambling's defense should be more improved, but Prairie View returns several key pieces to an offense that led the SWAC in points and yards.
Grambling vs. Southern, Bayou Classic, Nov. 26
Most years, this is the top attraction in the SWAC. That's not to say the Bayou Classic has lost its luster, because it hasn't. However, Southern is slightly behind Alcorn State, Prairie View and Grambling in the SWAC arms race. From Grambling's point of view, this is always the biggest game of the year, although the previous two games listed certainly pack a powerful punch this year. Neither team has an open date heading into the Bayou Classic — this is almost unheard of in the rivalry — so that adds a different twist to this Thanksgiving weekend game.
Alcorn State at Prairie View A&M, Nov. 5
Depending on what happens with Alcorn-Grambling and Grambling-Prairie View earlier in the year, this game could set up as SWAC title game preview. The preseason favorites meet in Texas late in the year in what will be billed as one of the must-see matchups of the year. Prairie View handed Alcorn State a 34-30 loss in 2015. Alcorn will have its eyes set on revenge regardless of positioning in the conference race.
Alabama State at Alcorn State, Sept. 10
As the two-time defending SWAC champions, Alcorn has run through the league without many challenges in the East Division. Both of the Braves' losses in 2015 came from the West Division via Grambling and Prairie View. Could this be the year Alabama State, which has lingered in second the last two years, makes a move back to the top? Although the game is in Mississippi, Alabama State could make a huge early statement by knocking off Alcorn.