SWAC Ranked Team on the Road, Ranked MEAC Team and Tennessee State at Home

The No. 2 ranked Tennessee State Tigers host Austin Peay Govs in an OVC match-up. The Tigers come into game (2-0), while the Govs are (0-2). While in the MEAC the No. 3 Norfolk State Spartans welcome the Howard Bison to town first both teams first conference contest. In the SWAC, the No. 5 Alabama State Hornets travel to face the Grambling State Tigers. The Hornets are (1-0) in conference play, while the Tigers are (0-1) in the SWAC.

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

HBCU FOOTBALL MAJOR DIVISION POLL

Week 2 – Released 09/08/12
1. Bethune-Cookman--(2-0)
2. Tennessee State--(2-0)
3. Norfolk State--(2-0)
4. Alabama A & M--(2-0)
5. S. C. State—(1-1)
6. @ Alabama State--(1-1)
7. Alcorn State--(1-1)
8. Delaware State--(1-1)
9. Texas Southern--(1-1)
10. Morgan State--(1-1)
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@ Alabama State—(0-1)
@ = TSPN & 3C 2011 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

Austin Peay (HWCU) (0-2, 0-0) at #2 Tennessee State (2-0, 0-0)

Fresh off a dominant performance in the 2012 Southern Heritage Classic, the Tennessee State Tigers seek to add another “W” in the win column as they kick off their conference slate against the Governors of Austin Peay University. Austin Peay is winless on the season and are looking to right the ship as they enter into conference play. The beginning of this young season has not fared well for the Governors especially following their most recent outcome as they were clobbered by USAToday No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies of the FBS ACC last Saturday, 42-7. Austin Peay has lost by an average of 37 points over their last two games. Tennessee State is rolling winning two straight. The Tigers recently added Jackson State to their victim lists as the routed the Blue Bengals 38-12 in Memphis. Tennessee State’s RB, Trabis Ward ran all over and around Jackson State, rushing for 114 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns. The Governors will definitely have their hands full this Saturday as they try and contain a balanced offensive attack against Tennessee State. But an even tougher challenge will be to manufacture points on the Tiger squad that is the second in scoring defense among conference teams. In their last matchup, Austin Peay squeaked by Tennessee State 37-34.

*** Game Outcome: Tennessee State (24-10)

MEAC GAME OF WEEK

Howard (1-1, 0-0) at #3 Norfolk State (2-0, 0-0)

The Spartans of Norfolk State look to stay undefeated on the season as they play host to the Howard Bison. The Spartans were led to victory on the legs of Freshman, RB, Brendon Riddick who rushed 150 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns as they edged the Flames of Liberty University. Howard did not fare as well in their last outing as they were shut-out by Rutgers 26-0 this past Saturday. The Bison only put together 149 yards of total offense in their matchup with the Scarlet Knights of the FBS Big East. In their nationally televised (ESPNU) matchup this Saturday, Howard will meet another tough defensive challenge in Norfolk State. The Spartans are ranked first in Total and Pass Defense in the MEAC. This game can definitely prove to be a nightmare for Howard on the defensive end as well as they face off against the second best rushing attack in the conference. Norfolk State dominated the Howard Bison in their last meeting 23-9.

*** Game Outcome: Norfolk State (35-17)

OTHER MEAC GAMES TO WATCH

#1 Bethune-Cookman (2-0, 1-0) at FBS Miami (HWCU) (1-1, 1-0)
*** Game Outcome: Miami (Score 38-14)

#5 South Carolina State (1-1, 0-1) at FBS USAToday #24 Arizona (HWCU) (2-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Arizona (Score 49-10)

#10 Morgan State (1-1, 0-0) at Akron/FBS (HWCU) (0-2, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Akron (Score 34-24)

Delaware State (1-0, 0-0) at FBS Cincinnati (HWCU) (1-0, 1-0)
*** Game Outcome: Cincinnati (Score 34-14)

Hampton (0-2, 0-0) at Florida A&M (0-2, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Florida A&M (Score 27-14)

Virginia of Lynchburg (0-1, 0-0) at N. Carolina A & T State (1-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina A&T (Score 49-6)

North Carolina Central (1-1, 0-0) at FBS Duke (HWCU) (1-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Duke (Score 31-14)

Savannah State (0-1, 0-0) – Open

SWAC GAME OF WEEK

#5 Alabama State (1-1, 1-0) at Grambling State (0-2, 0-1)

The struggling Tigers of Grambling State led by their head coach Doug Williams are in search of their first win of the 2012 campaign as the play host to the Hornets of Alabama State. The Hornets stung SWAC Eastern division foes Mississippi Valley State last Saturday as they eased to a 29-7 victory. The Hornets offense was led by QB, Greg Jenkins who ran for two touchdowns and 91 yards on 13 rushes. Jenkins also completed 13 of his 21 passes for 130 yards. Grambling’s woes continued last Saturday after the Tigers were destroyed 56-0 by USA Today No. 15 TCU Horned Frogs of the FBS Big XII. The Tigers’ offense was non-existent as they only manufactured 70 yards of total offense. Grambling lost their season opener in a heartbreaker as they came up short 22-21 to Alcorn State. Now of course the Tigers offense should definitely be more productive in their upcoming game this weekend against Alabama State. But their inability to stop the rush and pass will be an issue as they take on a Hornets offense that is led by a dual-threat quarterback in Greg Jenkins. The Alabama State Hornets are ranked first in scoring offense in the SWAC. In their last meeting, the Hornets defeated Grambling State 31-17.

*** Game Outcome: Alabama State (24-10)

OTHER SWAC GAMES TO WATCH

Prairie View A & M (0-2, 0-1) at #4 Alabama A & M (2-0, 1-0)
*** Game Outcome: Prairie View A&M (Score 21-13)

Jackson State (0-2, 0-0) at #9 Texas Southern (1-1, 1-0)
*** Game Outcome: Texas Southern (Score 31-20)

Arkansas at Pine Bluff (1-1, 0-1) at #7 Alcorn State (1-1, 1-0)
*** Game Outcome: Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Score 20-10)

Mississippi Valley State (0-2, 0-0) at Southern (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Southern (Score 24-14)

INDEPENDENT (OVC) GAME TO WATCH
See Above

HBCU CLASSIC GAME OF WEEK (BONUS)
(No game this week)