SWAC Football: Mississippi Valley State vs. Texas Southern prediction

Texas Southern hosts the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in Houston on Saturday afternoon as both programs seek to notch their first SWAC football wins of the spring. The Tigers play their first game in two weeks after their contest versus Grambling State was canceled. Their last game was a 23-51 blowout loss to Southern University.

The Delta Devils’ last game, also a blowout, was a 17-42 loss at the Alabama State Hornets’ hands. MVSU has one win this spring, a forfeit against Alcorn State, as the Devils look for their first on the field success of the spring.

These are two teams with similar struggles this spring. Both teams are in rebuilding mode and looking for ways to score points. The Tigers’ last game against Southern got ugly after Texas Southern was within two points in the second quarter before the Jags scored 21 unanswered points.

Mississippi Valley’s game against Alabama State had a similar tone and tenor. The Delta Devils were up 14-10 in the second quarter and were within four points in the third quarter. The Hornets scored 21 unanswered in the fourth quarter to put the game away. This SWAC contest will be an exciting contest between two rebuilding programs.

Here’s more information on the SWAC football game.

Date: Saturday, April 17
Time: 3 p.m. EST
Venue: BBVA Stadium
Location: Houston, Texas
How to watch: AT&T Sports Net

Keys to Victory

Mississippi Valley State has one advantage, and that is their defense. The scores and points allowed do not tell the whole story of the Delta Devils defense. Every game Mississippi Valley has played this spring, the defense has shown up, even when the offense has not. Linebacker/defensive end Jerry Garner has been disruptive all season; ask Jackson State.

The defense starts to look gassed in the second half because they spend so much time on the field. If the offense can stay on the field and give the defense a pause, the Delta Devils have the advantage in this game.

The Tigers hope to run the football and shorten the game with running backs Ladarius Owens and Jacorey Howard. Both running backs have over 20 carries in the two games they played this season. If the Tigers cannot shorten the game and keep the Delta Devils’ offense off the field, they will struggle.

That is easier said than done against the MVSU defense. This defense is the same group that held Ezra Gray to under 40 yards last week. They did give up 305 yards to Ryan Nettles. Can Texas Southern get it done through the air if they cannot run the football? The odds are they cannot.

Prediction

All signs point to a Delta Devils victory. They have played admirably as head coach Vincent Dancy seeks to build the roster. This Saturday is the game they get their spring win.

Final Score: Mississippi Valley 24, Texas Southern 14