A month ago, I said that Florida A&M’s Homecoming could be a preview of this year’s SWAC title game, but no one anticipated this matchup when the season started.
League coaches and sports information directors would predict Florida A&M to win the SWAC’s East Division. Living up to their expectations, the Rattlers finished the year undefeated in conference play while earning 13 All-SWAC selections.
Finishing the season with 10 wins, this is the fourth consecutive season head coach Willie Simmons has led FAMU to at least nine wins in a season. A feat not achieved since the legendary Billy Joe did it from 1995-2000.
Prairie View A&M was predicted to finish fifth in the West. During the SWAC Championship Game press conference, PVAMU head coach Bubba McDowell said, “There wasn’t a moment during the year when I didn’t remind them of (the preseason prediction).”
Despite garnering only two all-conference selections, the Panthers finished the season 6-2 in league play, earning their second trip to the SWAC title game in three years. Their last loss was a 45-7 drubbing from Florida A&M.
But what is the old football adage? It’s difficult to defeat the same team twice in the same season. In the case of the SWAC, the team that has won the regular season matchup has gone on to win the championship game rematch 68% of the time (15-7).
The Panthers weren’t afraid to review the mistakes made in their Nov. 4 matchup against Florida A&M, with hopes of finishing the game strong en route to clinching their first SWAC Championship in 14 years.
Nevertheless, Saturday’s winner will represent the SWAC for the first time in the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Here is my preview and prediction for this week’s title game.
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SWAC Championship Preview
Prairie View A&M (6-5, 6-2) at #10 Florida A&M (10-1, 8-0)
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
When Prairie View A&M Has The Ball
Prairie View finished 2023 strong, winning three straight while averaging 28.7 points per contest to finish the season.
Quarterback Trazon Connley did enough to win games during that stretch, compiling 710 yards of total offense and scoring four touchdowns against one interception. Even though running back Ahmad Antoine has racked up more yards on the ground than any other Panther (107 carries, 491 rushing yards, two touchdowns), five different ball carriers have led the team in rushing yards through eleven games.
This offense will have its collective hands full with SWAC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Isaiah Major and the nation’s best defense, who leads the conference in points allowed (14.3), interceptions returned for touchdowns (3), sacks (34), and opponent third-down conversion pct. (27.8%). Keep an eye on PVAMU running back David Murray as he faces one of the best red zone defenses in the country. A short-yardage specialist, Murray has scored six touchdowns on 11 carries.
When Florida A&M Has The Ball
Not scoring less than 23 points at any point of the season, the Rattler offense has averaged a league-high 30.3 points per game this season thanks to SWAC Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Jeremy Moussa (2,416 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, eight interceptions) and all-conference selections Jah’Marae Sheread (713 all-purpose yards, two touchdowns) and Marcus Riley (666 all-purpose yards, four touchdowns).
Throughout the season, Prairie View has allowed an average of 24.4 points to SWAC opponents. However, linebacker Keyshawn Johnson (79 total tackles, five tackles for a loss) and defensive lineman Derrick Ray, Jr. (38 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks) have helped turn that total down to just over 16 points per game since their regular-season loss to Florida A&M.
SWAC Championship Prediction
PVAMU is 1-0 all-time in the SWAC title game rematches. But that was 14 years ago.
This time, the Panthers travel back to Tallahassee with aspirations of snapping FAMU’s 19-game home win streak. A quick start could be beneficial to Prairie View. The Panthers have scored first in their last four wins. However, the prediction of a 90% chance of rain on Saturday may affect the passing game for both teams. Statistically, PVAMU has the better ground game, but I anticipate FAMU running back Terrell Jennings (8 carries, 65 yards, two touchdowns vs. Bethune-Cookman) to have a big day.
Rattlers 27, Panthers 21
