HBCU Football: 3 bold predictions for Grambling State vs. Southern

2. Southern’s defense gets to the quarterback

The Jaguars defense has had a couple of games where they’ve given up yards. However, they are a pressure-based disruptive defense. It is far more likely the Jaguars pitch a shutout than give up yards and points to Grambling.

Fobbs and the Grambling offense want offensive balance; however, teams have found it hard to sustain drives against Southern consistently. The Jaguars can give up the big play, but who can make those plays for Grambling now that Hickbottom is in the portal?

Southern’s run defense is going to make it hard for Grambling to stay on schedule. If Grambling is in third-and-long, expect Jordan Lewis in the Tigers’ backfield a lot. The junior defensive end has a ridiculous 9.5 sacks this spring.

Not only is the pass defense solid, but the run defense is also quite stout. The Jags shut down the vaunted Alabama State rushing attack led by Ezra Gray. The Hornets averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, and Gray was held under 100 yards.

It is hard to see how a team has just begun practicing again after pausing due to COVID protocols, going through two offensive coordinators and their starting quarterback in the portal to score against this defense.