No. 1 Bethune-Cookman hosts Coastal Carolina in Playoffs Opening Round

This week the NCAA Division I Playoffs take center stage with the Wildcats hosting the Chanticleers of the Big South Conference. Also, the Bayou Classic in New Orleans features two unranked teams in Grambling State Tigers taking on the instate rival Southern Jaguars.

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

HBCU FOOTBALL MAJOR DIVISION POLL

Week 12 – Released 11/18/12
1. Bethune-Cookman--(9-2)
2. Arkansas Pine Bluff--(9-2)
3. Tennessee State--(8-3)
4. Jackson State--(7-4)
5. @ Alabama State--(7-3)
6. Alabama A & M--(7-4)
7. North Carolina A&T--(7-4)
8. Howard--(7-4)
9. North Carolina Central--(6-5)
10. Delaware State--(6-5)
@ = TSPN & 3C 2011 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

Week 12 Featured Match-Ups To Watch

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

#1 Bethune-Cookman (9-2, 8-0) at Coastal Carolina (non-HBCU) (7-4, 5-1)
Daytona, FL – FCS Playoffs
– MEAC / Big South – 1:00CT ESPN3

The No. 1 ranked Bethune-Cookman Wildcats look to claim a victory in the first round of the FCS playoffs as they clash with the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina of the Big South Conference. This matchup features a very explosive and balanced offense from Bethune-Cookman and a pass-happy attack from Coastal Carolina. The Wildcats held off long-time rivals in the Florida A&M Rattlers, 21-16, in the Florida Classic for their seventh consecutive win and finish the season perfect in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action. Bethune-Cookman QB, Quentin Williams threw for 120 yards and one touchdown leading the way for the Wildcats. Williams also rushed for 86 yards. Coastal Carolina is coming off a winning effort, as they defeated Charleston Southern, 41-20, to win a share of the Big South Conference Title. Even though ending the season in a 3-way tie for first with Stony Brook and Liberty, the Chanticleers win the conference championship and advance to the FCS playoffs due to owning a tiebreaker. Sophomore LB, Quinn Backus had a career day recording 14 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. This should be an exciting first-round game with two high-powered offenses being showcased. This is the first matchup between these two squads.

*** Game Outcome: Bethune-Cookman (37-35)

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION CLASSIC GAME OF WEEK

Grambling State (1-9, 0-8) vs Southern (4-6, 4-3)
New Orleans, LA, Mercedes Supedome
– SWAC – 1:30CT – Bayou Classic NBC Live

Recipients of a disappointing season, the Grambling State Tigers attempt to salvage what little school pride they can for their 2012 campaign as the tangle with their rival in the Southern Jaguars who have had their own disappointing season come together in the annual world-renowned State Farm Bayou Classic in New Orleans, LA. Both schools had seasons that they wish to forget. Southern, who is coming off an open week, are looking to rebound from a tough one-point loss that they suffered at the hands of Alabama State two weeks back, 31-30. The Jaguars had the opportunity of tying the game up with kicking the extra-point but went for the win on a two-point conversion which failed virtually sealing the victory for the Hornets. Jaguar QB, Dray Joseph threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns in the losing effort. Grambling State dropped their third in a row as they were defeated by the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine-Bluff last week, 24-17. The Tigers defense was trampled giving up 526 yards of offense to the Golden Lions. This has been a dismal and rare season for the Tigers, who are still winless in conference play. In the last Bayou Classic, Grambling prevailed defeating Southern, 36-12. The game will be nationally televised this Saturday on NBC at 1:30pm CT.

*** Game Outcome: Southern University (47-21)

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH

MEAC

#7 North Carolina A&T St (7-4, 5-3) – Season Complete
#8 Howard (7-4, 6-2) – Season Complete
#9 North Carolina Central (6-5, 5-3) – Season Complete
#10 Delaware State (6-5, 5-3) – Season Complete
South Carolina State (5-6, 4-4) – Season Complete
Florida A&M (4-7, 4-4) – Season Complete
Hampton (4-7, 3-5) – Season Complete
Norfolk State (4-7, 2-6) – Season Complete
Morgan State (3-8, 2-6) – Season Complete
Savannah State (1-10, 0-8) – Season Complete

SWAC

#3 Arkansas at Pine Bluff (9-2, 8-1) – Open
#4 Jackson State (7-4, 7-2) – Open
#6 Alabama A&M (7-4, 6-3) – Season Complete
Mississippi Valley State (5-6, 5-4) – Season Complete
Alcorn State (4-7, 4-5) – Season Complete
Prairie View A&M (3-8, 3-6) – Season Complete
Texas Southern (2-9, 2-7) – Season Complete

INDEPENDENT (OVC)

Tennessee State (8-3, 4-3) – Season Complete