Inside the HBCU Huddle Blog

Week 7 Review and Week 8 Preview:

Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil with Herman Shelton

Dr. Cavil: What were the significant game for the SWAC Eastern Division in Week 7?

Herman: The race for the title in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has become a two team race, the consensus No. 1 Alabama State Hornets (6-0, 6-1) in the Eastern Division and previously ranked No. 5, now No. 7 Prairie View A & M Panthers 4-3, 4-2) in the Western Division. In what was billed as a preview to the SWAC Championship Game (SCG), it was not all that, as the Hornets prevailed over the Panthers to stay undefeated in conference play. The Hornets jumped to a 17 point lead and never looked back. This will set up an epic match-up in the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, AL in two weeks between the Alabama State Hornets against their in state rival, the No. 5 Alabama A&M Bulldogs; the winner will have the upper hand to face the Western Division winner in the SCG. Despite the loss, the Panthers still hold a slight half game lead (even in the loss column) in the Western Division over the Golden Lions of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. No. 3 Jackson State Tigers escape with a comeback road win against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, 17-16.

Dr. Cavil: What about the SWAC Western Division in Week 7 as well as the Southern at Arkansas Pine Bluff after game activities?

Herman: It was a bad weekend and an embarrassing weekend for the Western Division of the SWAC. The Panthers got it in the chin as they laid an egg in Montgomery. While Texas Southern Tigers were unable to hold on to a late game lead against Bulldogs on ESPNU. With the loss by the Panthers the game between the Southern Jaguars* and the Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions the events should have been one of celebration for the Golden Lions after blocking a PAT, 22-21, and creeping within a game of the top spot. But instead an embarrassing moment for everyone involved, was the brawl after the Southern and Arkansas Pine Bluff game. Words were passed between both teams, and a melee ensued on the field and in the stands with one Southern player having to seek medical attention. The sad part in all this was the fact that this tarnished what many would have suggested was the best game the SWAC this year. With expected sanctions from each institution’s administration and the SWAC Office, the fallout may have heavy implications on the Western Division race. Southern is still a game and a half behind the Panthers in first place in the Western Division. With the Texas Southern Tigers loss, the Grambling State Tigers are out of the cellar. The Grambling State Tigers can gain ground when they play the Delta Devils this weekend.

Dr. Cavil: What are your thoughts on the SWAC weekend ahead, Week 8

Herman: SWAC will enjoy a light week with six teams having bye weeks. Texas Southern will celebrate Homecoming against Central State. The Delta Devils will face Grambling State as the Tigers celebrate their homecoming. To complete the Eastern Division weekend match-ups the Alcorn State Braves will play non-conference foe Concordia for their homecoming opponent. The Alabama State Hornets have a game and a half lead over the Jackson State Tigers* and Alabama A & M Bulldogs. The Bulldogs after playing the Hornets in two weeks in Birmingham then travel to face the Braves. The Bulldogs will play pre-season favorite Jackson State and end the season on the road against the Panthers for their homecoming, the current Western Division leader to finish the season. The Bulldogs still have a tough season ending schedule as all the teams the face have a winning conference record except the Alcorn State Braves.

Dr. Cavil: What is the latest in the MEAC in Week 7?

Herman: The MEAC race has started to take shape No. 2 Norfolk State Spartans is still on top with a 4-0 conference record to keep pace over No. 8 North Carolina A&T Aggies, 3-0 and No. 4 South Carolina State Bulldogs are tied for third at 3-1 with the unranked Morgan State Bears. The Aggies won their homecoming game in dominant fashion against the Delaware State Hornets. Most of the top teams in the conference played the bottom half with the top teams coming out victorious.

Dr. Cavil: What do you see taking place in the MEAC in Week 8?

Herman: Some key match-ups will take place again this week as the MEAC is starting to separate the “Men’s from the Boy’s.” The Spartans will have a chance to show a national audience that they are the force to be reckoned with when they play the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on ESPNU this Thursday night. The Howard Bison will face the No. 6 Aggies that are streaking in conference play. This is also a light week for the MEAC as three teams will take a break this week. The Game of the Week for the MEAC is the Florida A&M Rattlers against the Bulldogs of South Carolina State.

*Jackson State Tigers and Southern Jaguars are ineligible to play in the postseason

Dr. Cavil: What about your Week 8 picks?

Herman:
MEAC Games to Watch
Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 1-1) at #2 Norfolk State (6-1, 4-0)
*** Game Outcome: Norfolk St. (Score 37-28)

#9 Florida A & M (4-3, 2-2) at #4 South Carolina State (4-3, 2-1)
*** Game Outcome: FAMU (Score 28 - 21)

North Carolina Central (1-5, 0-3) at #6 Hampton (3-3, 1-2)
*** Game Outcome: NCCU (Score 28-14)

#8 North Carolina A & T State (4-2, 3-0) at Howard (3-4, 2-2)
*** Game Outcome: NCAT (Score 30 - 17)

Morgan State (4-3, 3-1) – Open
Savannah State (1-6, 1-3) – Open
Delaware State (2-5, 0-4) – Open

SWAC Games to Watch
Mississippi Valley State (0-7, 0-6) at Grambling State (2-4, 1-3)
*** Game Outcome: MVSU (Score 17-14)

#10 (Mid-Major) Concordia-Selma (4-3) at Alcorn State (1-4, 1-4)
*** Game Outcome: Alcorn State (Score 30-7)

Central State (0-7) at Texas Southern (2-4, 1-4)
*** Game Outcome: TSU (Score 38-14)

#1 Alabama State (6-1, 6-0)– Open
#3 Jackson State (6-1, 4-1)– Open
#5 Alabama A & M (5-2, 4-1) – Open
#7 Prairie View A & M (4-3, 4-2) – Open
#10 Arkansas at Pine Bluff (4-3, 3-2) – Open
Southern (2-5, 2-3) – Open

Independent (OVC) Game to Watch
Tennessee State (3-4, 2-2) at Eastern Kentucky (3-3, 2-1)
*** Game Outcome: TSU (Score 21-17)

Bold = HBCU Major Division Program