bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
BAYOU CLASSIC
Grambling State Tigers (5-5) vs No. 20 Southern Jaguars (8-2), 1:00 (SAT)
Not that a rivalry of this magnitude ever loses its luster when star players are gone, but it will be hard to live up to last year?s 44-41 classic. Southern quarterback Quincy Richard outdueled Grambling State counterpart Bruce Eugene in a game for the ages in the storied rivalry. Though Brandon Landers has filled in admirably in the absence of Eugene, the Tigers have not been the same team this year since their leader went down in the season opener. Richard graduated from Southern last year, but the Jaguars have not skipped in a beat in winning eight of the last nine behind Thomas Ricks. Ricks is a double threat as a rusher and passer, averaging 274 yards of total offense per game. He has thrown 20 touchdowns and run for eight, and led the Jaguars to a perfect mark in SWAC play. In the past seven years, the winner of this contest has won the SWAC West division. Southern has a spot in the SWAC title game with a win, but Grambling is here to play in the role of spoiler against its biggest rival. Landers has two good receivers in Clyde Edwards and Henry Tolbert, but Grambling?s biggest obstacle could be stopping the spectacular Southern offense. The Jaguars average more than 32 points a game and tally 408 yards a contest. Grambling will need to find a way to slow Ricks and wide receiver James Vernon. Landers needs to play the best game of his young career to pull the upset against the rival Jaguars. If he does, Grambling State has a chance. But Southern is rolling in SWAC play, and has the look of a team ready to go to the next level in the championship game. The Jaguars will stay hot against the Tigers and win the Bayou Classic to advance to the SWAC championship.
Prediction: Southern 38, Grambling State 20
Grambling State Tigers (5-5) vs No. 20 Southern Jaguars (8-2), 1:00 (SAT)
Not that a rivalry of this magnitude ever loses its luster when star players are gone, but it will be hard to live up to last year?s 44-41 classic. Southern quarterback Quincy Richard outdueled Grambling State counterpart Bruce Eugene in a game for the ages in the storied rivalry. Though Brandon Landers has filled in admirably in the absence of Eugene, the Tigers have not been the same team this year since their leader went down in the season opener. Richard graduated from Southern last year, but the Jaguars have not skipped in a beat in winning eight of the last nine behind Thomas Ricks. Ricks is a double threat as a rusher and passer, averaging 274 yards of total offense per game. He has thrown 20 touchdowns and run for eight, and led the Jaguars to a perfect mark in SWAC play. In the past seven years, the winner of this contest has won the SWAC West division. Southern has a spot in the SWAC title game with a win, but Grambling is here to play in the role of spoiler against its biggest rival. Landers has two good receivers in Clyde Edwards and Henry Tolbert, but Grambling?s biggest obstacle could be stopping the spectacular Southern offense. The Jaguars average more than 32 points a game and tally 408 yards a contest. Grambling will need to find a way to slow Ricks and wide receiver James Vernon. Landers needs to play the best game of his young career to pull the upset against the rival Jaguars. If he does, Grambling State has a chance. But Southern is rolling in SWAC play, and has the look of a team ready to go to the next level in the championship game. The Jaguars will stay hot against the Tigers and win the Bayou Classic to advance to the SWAC championship.
Prediction: Southern 38, Grambling State 20