Week 2 in the SWAC

09-09-06

Predictions by Tigerpride: THE Logical One

Last week was a great opening weekend for SWAC football. Alcorn gave 1-A UL-Monroe all they could handle before a 4th quarter collapse. I told you that Alabama State stood no chance against Troy. Fred Kaiss is still in my opinion the worst OC in BCF and I knew that even with the weapons, he would not be able to pull of the win over AAMU. The SWAC and MEAC have a 1:1 series for the year in two games that certainly lived up to the pre-season hype. 

Alcorn State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff @ Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, AR (6 PM): Alcorn State got a moral win last week against UL-Monroe. UAPB did not score a single point. The only logical conclusion is that UAPB simply does not have it this year and that Alcorn may be better than originally advertised!!! I predict another poor performance from the UAPB offense.

Prediction: Alcorn 35; UAPB 7

Prairie View A&M vs. Edward Waters @ Blackshear Stadium in Prairie View, TX (6 PM): In probably the most surprising loss of opening weekend of SWAC football action, Prairie View gave Texas Southern its second SWAC win in three years. This could bode well for the SWAC West since, despite the loss, Prairie View should have some influence on who takes the SWAC West crown. It is only logical to assume that Prairie View will have a chip on their shoulder and something to prove against a lower division opponent.

Prediction: Prairie View 35; Edward Waters 10

Alabama A&M vs. Grambling @ Lewis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, AL (6:30 PM). After facing last year’s MEAC champion in week 1, Grambling will go head-to-head with the 2005 SWAC Eastern division champion in week 2. Last week Grambling lost a game that sadly someone had to lose. I still think that Grambling has one of the worst coaching staffs in BCF but they have more talent than an equally poorly coached AAMU. Home field advantage will not help the Bulldogs as Grambling uses the same formula they used last year to rip apart the AAMU defense. There is also no logical reason to assume that the AAMU offense will be able to move the ball against the same Grambling defense that came close to shutting them out in two separate games last year.

Prediction: Grambling 28; AAMU 17

Southern vs. Miss Valley State @ Mumford Stadium in Bation Rouge, LA (7 PM). Talk about a tough game to call. As you may recall, I basically flipped a coin to predict the Southern game in week 1 against BCC. Mississippi Valley is a totally different beast. Southern’s road win against BCC was quite impressive while Valley pitched a shut-out against UAPB. In a very close game, it appears that the logical thing to do is to give the nod to Southern University. While Valley may have the better defense, Southern is going to look to light up the scoreboard in their home opener. I also look for Valley to make too many costly mental mistakes mixed in with the usual Southern style home cookin’.

Prediction: Southern 30; MS Valley 21

Alabama State vs. Texas Southern @ Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, AL (7 PM): It is logical to argue that Alabama State is the worst team in the SWAC in 2006. Texas Southern returns a bevy of starters that shocked Prairie View last week. I look for Texas Southern to have an easier time with Alabama State. 

Prediction: Texas Southern 17; Alabama State 10


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