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

1. Grambling is a mess but keeps it close

Grambling State has had its share of struggles this spring. The Tigers have no offensive identity because of the sudden turnover on the coaching staff, and the defense has not played very well this spring either.

This game is no stranger to upsets. 1999, 1979, and 2002  were considered upsets. This season the Tigers would need an effort of Herculean proportions to pull off an upset. The question is whether or not the Tigers can keep this one close.

Rivalry games tend to have funky things happen, like Scotty Anderson dropping a touchdown pass for Grambling. The Tigers need a little “funk” in this game to keep it close. So how can Grambling keep it close?

For Grambling to make this a game, the Tigers have to get Southern off the field on third downs. It sounds simple and cliche, but Grambling will struggle to possess the ball for long periods against Southern’s attacking defense.

One chance Grambling has is to get in a punting contest with Southern. That style is bland and vanilla, but the Tigers won’t get blown out. Southern’s quarterbacks have thrown six interceptions in five games this season.

Maybe if Grambling can force some turnovers and score points, they can keep it close. Simply put, the Tigers need a lot to go right and for Southern to play one of their worst games of the season.