Ranked Showdowns Highlight The MEAC and SWAC Weekends

#2 ranked South Carolina visits Norfolk State for the #7 Spartans first home game of the year. Both teams are riding high without a loss in conference and big victories last week. #3 Jackson State hosts #7 and defending HBCU Football Major Division National Champion Texas Southern hoping to rebound from an error-filled loss last week.

By Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil and Brandon Bolden
Inside the HBCU Huddle Columnists
College Sporting News

"INSIDE THE HBCU HUDDLE" is here for its inaugural release featuring four "HBCU Games of the Week" analysis with columnist Brandon Bolden and executive editor Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil.

Dr. Cavil and Brandon write about the HBCU Classic Game of the Week, featuring #10 Prairie View A & M (2-2, 2-1) vs. Grambling State (1-3, 1-2); HBCU Major Division Game of the Week, featuring #6 Arkansas Pine Bluff (3-1, 2-0) at Alabama A & M (2-2, 1-1); MEAC Game of the Week, featuring South Carolina State (2-2, 2-0) at Norfolk State (3-1, 1-0); and SWAC Game of the Week, #7 Texas Southern (2-1,1-1) at #3 Jackson State (3-1, 1-1).

"INSIDE THE HBCU HUDDLE" is a weekly HBCU Major Division Report by Brandon Bolden and Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil that takes a featured look the gridiron action and predicted winners as well as scores surrounding HBCU Major Division football.

Follow "Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil" via the social media platforms -- Facebook (DrKenyattaCavil) and Twitter (@DrKenyattaCavil), and of course at CSN!

HBCU Football Major Division Poll

Week 4 – Released 9/26/11
1. Alabama State--(3-1)
2. S. C. State--(2-2)
3. Jackson State--(3-1)
4. Bethune-Cookman--(2-1)
5. Norfolk State--(3-1)
6. Arkansas P.B.--(3-1)
7. @-Texas Southern--(2-1)
8. Hampton--(2-2)
9. Florida A & M--(2-2)
10. Prairie View A & M--(2-2)
@ = TSPN & 3C 2010 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

MEAC GAME OF WEEK.

#2 South Carolina State (2-2, 2-0) at #5 Norfolk State (3-1, 1-0)

Norfolk State hopes to be the one to put a blemish on South Carolina State’s perfect conference record as they play host to the heavily favored Bulldogs in their first MEAC home game this season. The Bulldogs enter this matchup carrying tons of momentum after completely destroying Delaware State 69-0. South Carolina State only scored a total of 53 points this season before annihilating Delaware State. Not only did the Bulldog offense play out of its mind, racking up 687 yards of total offense, South Carolina State defense held Delaware State to just 84 yards of total offense. The Spartans also had their way with their opponent on last Saturday as they prevailed over Charleston Southern, 33-3. Norfolk State QB, Chris Walley led the attack, throwing a near perfect 20 of 23 passes for 285 yards and two TD’s. The Spartan defense was straight up stingy, only allowing the Buccaneers to gain 55 yards on the ground and 86 through the air. The Spartans know that they have a tough task ahead this Saturday as they try to stay unbeaten in conference play against a South Carolina State Squad that has the number two ranked scoring offense in the MEAC, averaging 30.5 ppg. The Bulldogs also recognize that their road isn’t any easier as the Spartans bring to the party the number one ranked defense in the conference. South Carolina State defeated Norfolk State in their last season matchup, 34-13.
Game Outcome: Norfolk State (Score 24-20)

SWAC GAME OF WEEK

#7 Texas Southern (2-1,1-1) at #3 Jackson State (3-1, 1-1)

It is a showdown of the Tigers as Jackson State hosts the defending SWAC champs, Texas Southern University. Jackson State tasted defeat for the first time this season as they dropped a heart-breaker to SWAC Eastern division rivals Alabama State, 21-14. Although carrying one of the most prolific offenses in the conference this season, the Blue Bengals offense aka the “Air Raid” was swarmed by the Hornets defense on last Saturday. Quarterback, Casey Therriault was picked off six times including one that was returned 20 yards for a touchdown by Hornets DB, Saeed Lee to put the game out of reach, sealing the Blue Bengals first loss of their 2011 campaign. Therriault finished the game with over 400 yards through the air and connected with WR, Marcellos Wilder twice for touchdowns, but that was not enough. Jackson State’s offense committed eight turnovers in all. Texas Southern survived as they edged Alcorn State 14-7 in what turned out to be a tough defensive battle. Texas Southern QB, Riko Smalls threw for one touchdown and ran 16-yards for another, manufacturing the Tigers’ only points in the game. Texas Southern’s “212 Degrees” defense lived up to its’ name holding the Braves to just nine first downs and 132 yards of total offense (99 passing, 33 rushing). The Blue Bengals’ will encounter another tough challenge this week as they face the SWAC’s top rank defense in Texas Southern. In their last matchup, Texas Southern defeated the Blue Bengals, 21-18.
Game Outcome: Texas Southern (Score 27-17)

HBCU CLASSIC GAME OF WEEK

#10 Prairie View A & M (2-2, 2-1) vs. Grambling State (1-3, 1-2)

The Grambling State Tigers look to stop the bleeding as they play host to the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the 2011 State Farm Classic in Dallas, TX. The Tigers are reeling fast this season, losing three straight, including their last contest 20-14 to Alabama A&M last Saturday. The Tigers were held scoreless until finally scoring in the 4th quarter, knotting the game at 14 all on a Mario Louis 77-yard touchdown catch with just over eight minutes left to go in regulation. The Bulldogs fired back on a Kaderius Lacey 2-yard TD run giving Alabama A&M the go-ahead score 20-14 with 49 seconds left in the game. The Tigers RB, Dawrence Roberts rushed for 198 yards on 27 carries and 1TD. The Panthers are a surprising 2-1 in conference play after their 43-34 come-from-behind win against the winless Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley St. at home. Panther red-shirt freshman QB, Jerry Lovelocke led the charge throwing for 242 yards on 19 of 23 passing attempts and a TD. Prairie View A&M is doing better than everyone in the SWAC expected under new leadership in first-year head coach Heishma Northern. The Panthers have revenge on the menu as they prepare to avenge their loss to Grambling in last season’s matchup. The Tigers pulled away late in the contest against the Panthers winning, 34-17.
Game Outcome: Prairie View A&M (Score 33-10)

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

#6 Arkansas Pine Bluff (3-1, 2-0) at Alabama A & M (2-2, 1-1)

The University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff looks to continue to take the SWAC by storm and improve to a perfect 3-0 in conference play when they go head to head against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in what could be a sneak peek of this years’ SWAC Championship Title game. The Golden Lions who entered the 2011 season heavily under the radar have surprised many spectators so far winning their first two conference games. UAPB posted their 3rd straight win of the season as they snuffed out a win against Clark Atlanta 9-7 this past Saturday, improving to 3-1 on the season. Golden Lions RB, Adrian Moore rushed for 155 yards on just 12 carries. The Bulldogs relied on the rushing talents of RB, Kaderius Lacey who rushed for 178 yards as they defeated Grambling State, 20-14. Alabama A&M has the second ranked rushing attack in the SWAC, headed by Lacey, while Pine Bluff has the third ranked rushing defense. Even though Alabama A&M has been very effective running the ball, the same cannot be said for their rushing defense. The Bulldogs give up an average of 131 yards on the ground per game and this week face a rushing attack just as potent as their very own. The Golden Lions won the last meeting between these two teams, 21-14.
Game Outcome: Arkansas- Pine Bluff (Score 21-16)