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SWAC Football: Preview, prediction and live stream for Bayou Classic

By Dante Pryor

Southern University's Caleb Washington (6) fights to get past rival Jackson State University defenders during the first half of play during a nonconference game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, April 3, 2021.Jackosn State Sourthen University
Southern University's Caleb Washington (6) fights to get past rival Jackson State University defenders during the first half of play during a nonconference game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, April 3, 2021.Jackosn State Sourthen University /
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The 47th Annual Bayou Classic will be played in Shreveport, Louisiana this year between the SWAC football rivals Grambling State and Southern. 

Despite constant issues with COVID-19, it seems as if the Grambling State Tigers will be ready for their season finale against the Southern University Tigers in the Bayou Classic. This edition of the game between SWAC football teams will be played at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana due to renovations at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in downtown New Orleans, its traditional home.

Grambling’s ability to play caps off a tumultuous spring season marred by coach resignations and positive COVID tests throughout the program. Grambling’s football program paused activities on March 24th due to COVID. Games against Alabama A&M and Texas Southern were cancelled as a result.

However, the Bayou Classic will take place as scheduled barring an outbreak on either team. “The game is scheduled to be played. We’re looking forward to it,” Grambling athletic director David Ponton told the News-Star on Friday. “We’re looking forward to the city of Shreveport hosting it. It’s going to be a good event in northwest Louisiana.”

Here’s the key info to watch this HBCU classic:

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2021

Time: 2:30pm EST

Location:  Shreveport, Louisiana

Venue: Independence Stadium

Odds: Southern -3

 How to Watch: NBC Sports Network

Keys to Victory

These are two programs trending in two completely different directions. The Tigers are 0-3 and in search of an identity and an offensive coordinator by the fall. Both Mark Orlando and Kendrick Nord left the program within weeks of each other this spring. Then the COVID-19 ran rough shod through the program leaving the athletic director no choice but to pause activities.

The Tigers have not practiced, nor worked out together since March 24th amid the shake-up with the coaching staff. In their three losses, the offense has been inconsistent and the defense has been susceptible to the big play.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, are 4-1 and ranked 25th in the FCS Coaches’ Poll. Behind a power running game and physical defense, Southern looks headed toward the SWAC Championship game and a possible FCS playoff berth. Southern showed how potent they were in their 34-14 drubbing of Jackson State.

If Grambling has any chance of winning this game, head coach Broderick Fobbs has to hope that the importance of the rivalry will trump any issue the football  team has. If Southern can run the football the way they’ve run it the last three weeks, the game is going to be miserable for Grambling.

Prediction: 

Grambling is a mess right now. Southern is playing their best football right now. This is a rivalry game but it isn’t going to be enough to get Grambling through this one. Jags going away.

Score: Southern 35, Grambling 7

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