Grambling State Football: Preview, prediction, livestream vs. Jackson State

In the marquee game of the weekend, Grambling State football hosts Jackson State in SWAC action. 

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders gets an introduction to SWAC football in Jackson State’s first road game against Grambling State, one of the SWAC’s most storied schools. It’s a battle of the Tigers when Jackson and Grambling take the field at Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana.

This is Grambling’s season opener after their game against Prairie View A&M was postponed until March.  This is Jackson State’s second game after a 53-0 blowout of Edward Waters in the season opener. Coming into the game, Grambling leads the all-time series 46-23-1 against Jackson State.

Keys to Victory

Jackson State looked dominant against Edward Waters, and they should have. Edward Waters plays NAIA football and does not have the players to compete with Jackson State. However, If there is one concern for “Coach Prime” it has to be a lackluster running game that averaged just 4.4 yards per carry.

That was primarily due to two negative runs by quarterback Quincy Casey when the game was out of reach. That said, the passing game was crisp and on time. Starting quarterback Jalon Jones threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns with just two incompletions.

Though the Tigers should have dominated Edward Waters, the fact that they did and were not sloppy says a lot about how prepared they were to play even with the conditions with the facilities.

Grambling State football comes into its season opener hanging their hat on one of the top defenses in the SWAC and all of FCS from the last season. Playing with an obvious talent disparity and a non-existent downfield passing game, Grambling has to come up with a masterful defensive performance in order to have a chance at victory.

Offensively, Grambling has to rely on a rushing attack that saw four players with at least 50 carries grind the Jackson State defense down and keep the Jackson offense off the field. Grambling quarterback Geremy Hickenbottom has to have a great game with his arm as well as legs to give Grambling a chance.

Betting Odds

Line: Grambling -11

o/u: 51

How to Watch:  ESPN3

Prediction:

This game has everything to be the game of the weekend and one of the games of the spring season. The battle of the Tigers is a game of styles and styles make for great games. Grambling wants to ground and pound on offense while Jackson State wants a more balanced attack taking shots downfield in the passing game.

Grambling State is going to do everything in its power to keep this one close, but “Jimmies and Joes” win games and Jackson State has the better roster. The Tigers of Mississippi win a close one against Grambling State.

Score: Jackson State 28, Grambling State 20