Showdowns: Eagles at Wildcats, Bulldogs and Hornets in Magic City

10 showdowns from Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Football Poll Rankings this weekend, one each in the MEAC and SWAC. In the MEAC, the No. 2 North Carolina Central Eagles travel to Daytona Beach to take on the No. 3 ranked Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. While the No. 4 Alabama A&M Bulldogs have huge Eastern Division backyard brawl with the No. 8 Alabama State Hornets of the SWAC in the Magic City Classic.

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

The HBCU Classic Game of the Week features two unranked teams, Prairie View A&M and Southern with second place positioning on the line; trying to make a statement with an outside shot at the Western Division crown for a bid to the SWAC Championship Game. The Tennessee State Tigers continue to hold the HBCU No. 1 ranking, although the lost their first game of these season last week. Can they bounce back at home against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle?

HBCU FOOTBALL MAJOR DIVISION POLL

Week 8 – Released 10/21/12
1. Tennessee State--(7-1)
2. North Carolina Central--(5-2)
3. Bethune-Cookman--(5-2)
4. Alabama A & M--(6-1)
5. Arkansas Pine Bluff--(5-2)
6. Howard--(5-2)
7. Delaware State--(4-3)
8. @ Alabama State--(4-3)
9. Jackson State--(4-4)
10. Morgan State--(3-4)

@ = TSPN & 3C 2011 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION CLASSIC GAME OF WEEK

Southern (3-4, 2-3) at Prairie View A&M (2-5, 2-3)
Shreveport, LA, Independence Stadium
–MEAC– Shreveport Classic, 4:00pmCT

After taking a beating from SWAC Western Division Arkansas at Pine-Bluff, the Southern Jaguars look to keep their slim SWAC title hopes alive with a win as they travel to Shreveport to tangle with the Panthers of Prairie View A&M who also look to keep their title hope, as well in the third annual Shreveport Classic. Prairie View A&M has made great strides in turning around their season winning their second consecutive game as they defeated Alcorn State last week for homecoming in a shootout, 52-37. Panthers QB, De’Auntre Smiley displayed his aerial abilities completing 16 of 20 passes for four touchdowns and 251 yards. On their two-game winning streak the Panthers have outscored their opponents by double digits. Southern’s last outing was the opposite of the Panthers as the Jaguars were stomped by the Golden Lions of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 50-21. The Jaguars defense was completely outmatched by the Lions offense giving up 41 first half points. This is an even matchup across the board. There should be a lot of points scored and yards gained through the air in this contest as it features the conference top ranked passing offense in Southern versus the fourth rank passing offense in Prairie View.

*** Game Outcome: Prairie View A&M (45-34)

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

Tennessee Tech (HWCU) (2-5, 0-4) at #1 Tennessee State (7-1, 3-1)
Nashville, TN, The Hole
OVC– 1:00pmCT

Recovering from their first loss of the season, Tennessee State University looks to regroup when they take on the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech this Saturday. The Tigers suffered a tough overtime loss as they fell to Jacksonville State by three, 32-28. Saturday’s defeat was the Tigers’ fourth consecutive loss against Jacksonville State. Tigers QB, Michael German threw for 311 yards, three touchdowns, but had two costly interceptions for 21 of 37 passing. Tennessee Tech is the epitome of a struggling team desperate for a win as they remain winless in Ohio Valley Conference action. The Golden Eagles’ woes continued last week as they experienced their fifth straight loss falling to Eastern Kentucky, 42-28. This should be a great rebound game for Tennessee State as they take on a Tennessee Tech squad who cannot stop the run. The Golden Eagles are ranked last in rushing defense in the entire conference which spells goldmine for Tigers RB, Trabis Ward. Ward has rushed for over 100 yards in six of Tennessee States eight games this season. The last time these two teams faced each other, Tennessee State was the victor, defeating Tennessee Tech 42-40.

*** Game Outcome: Tennessee State (35-33)

MEAC GAME OF WEEK

#2 North Carolina Central (5-2, 4-0) at #3 Bethune-Cookman (5-2, 4-0)
Daytona Beach, FL, Municipal Stadium
–MEAC– 3:00pmCT

Someone will drop their first conference loss when No. 3 Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman collide with the No. 2 Eagles of North Carolina Central in a showdown of two teams with undefeated conference records. The Eagles, winners of four in a row, have won big in their current win streak winning three of their last four by double digits. North Carolina Central’s defense and special teams led the way to their last victory as they defeated Hampton, 37-20. Eagles QB, Jordan Reid completed 11 of 22 passes for 193 yards and no interceptions. Bethune-Cookman enjoyed an easy win against Norfolk State as they steam-rolled over the Spartans, 48-3. The Wildcats defense was chaotic the whole game, preventing Norfolk State from successfully moving the ball and highlighting their defensive performance with a 69-yard fumble returned for touchdown by LB, D. J. Howard. This matchup will be a promising one, not only because one team is going to walk away still undefeated in MEAC play but this contest features the two top scoring offenses in the conference. In their last matchup Bethune-Cookman grounded the Eagles 34-6.

*** Game Outcome: Bethune-Cookman (51-31)

MEAC GAMES TO WATCH

#6 Howard (5-2, 4-1) at South Carolina State (2-5, 1-3)
*** Game Outcome: Howard (Score 24-14)

#8 Delaware State (4-3, 3-1) at Morgan State (3-4, 2-2)
*** Game Outcome: Delaware State (Score 21-17)

Savannah State (0-6, 0-4) at Hampton (1-5, 1-3)
*** Game Outcome: Hampton (Score 27-10)

Norfolk State (2-6, 0-4) at North Carolina A&T State (3-5, 1-3)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina A&T State (Score 24-21)

Florida A&M (3-5, 3-2) – Open

SWAC GAME OF WEEK

#8 Alabama State (6-1, 5-1) versus #4 Alabama A&M (4-3, 4-2)
Birmingham, AL, Legion Field
–SWAC– 2:30pmCT ESPNU Tape Delayed 10:00

The No. 4 Alabama A&M Bulldogs seek to retain sole possession of first place in the SWAC Eastern division as they do battle with in-state rivals the No. 8 Alabama State Hornets in the annual Magic City Classic. Known too many now, as the largest HBCU tailgate party. The Hornets experienced a tough loss two weeks to the hands of Jackson State on a late 4th quarter field goal, 34-37. The Hornets defense was no match for Tigers QB, Clayton Moore who passed for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Moore also torched the Hornets on the ground rushing for 131 yards and three scores. The Bulldogs met defeat also, but for the first time this season in their last game as they fell short to Alcorn State a couple of weeks back, 21-20. Both programs should be well rested and re-focused after coming off of a bye-week. This game should definitely be exciting on both sides of the ball as it features the top two scoring offenses as well as the top two scoring defenses in the conference. The advantage may go to the Bulldogs though as they also possess the top rushing offense and pass defense in the SWAC. In their last meeting, The Bulldogs edged Alabama State by just one point, 20-19.

*** Game Outcome: Alabama A&M (35-27)

SWAC GAMES TO WATCH

Mississippi Valley State (2-4, 2-2) at #5 Arkansas at Pine Bluff (5-2, 4-1)
*** Game Outcome: Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Score 41-21)

Alcorn State (3-4, 3-2) at Prairie View A&M (1-5, 1-3)
*** Game Outcome: Alabama State (Score 31-21)

Grambling State (1-6, 0-5) at Texas Southern (1-6, 1-4)
*** Game Outcome: Texas Southern (Score 17-9)

#9 Jackson State (4-4, 4-2) – Open
Alcorn State (3-5, 3-3) – Open

INDEPENDENT (OVC) GAME TO WATCH
See Above