Jackson State Football: Can the Tigers compete for a SWAC title?

Can Jackson State football compete for a SWAC title?

The short answer is they are a year away. It is hard to win a conference title with a freshman quarterback not named Trevor Lawrence.

Expect the Tiger to lose a few close ones this fall, however.

• FLORIDA A&M ORANGE BLOSSOM CLASSIC (L): This is a toss-up game here. The Rattlers did not play this past season (fall or spring) and will be excited to play more than intra-squad scrimmages. This game could be a game-of-the-year candidate, and the Rattlers win a close one in their home state.
• TENNESSEE STATE, SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSIC (W): This is the first game that the Tigers show off their impressive roster. Coach Prime outcoaches Coach George in this one.
• AT LOUISIANA-MONROE (W): This could be one of the few instances where an FCS team has a better roster than an ‘FBS team. The Warhawks went winless and scored fewer than 20 points in eight of ten games last season. JSU with the road win.
• VS DELTA STATE (W): This should be an easy win against a Division II opponent.
• AT ALABAMA A&M (L): This is the revamped Jackson State secondary’s first big test. This game is yet another toss-up. If JSU can get pressure on quarterback Aqeel Glass, the Tigers could pull off the road win. However, Alabama has too much firepower in this one.
• VS ALABAMA STATE (W): The Tigers get their revenge at home. Ezra Gray has another great game but not as good as last season. The improved JSU secondary is the difference in this one.
• VS BETHUNE-COOKMAN (W): The Wildcats will test the Tigers’ run defense. JSU keeps BCU in third and long most of the game on their way to the victory.
• AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (W): Coach Dancy will have his Delta Devils playing tough at home, but effort gets them only so far. The Tigers are the superior team.
• VS TEXAS SOUTHERN (W): Texas Southern was 0-11 in 2019 and 1-2 last spring (their only win was a forfeit by Alcorn St.). This game should be a win for Jackson State.
• AT SOUTHERN (L): Jordan Lewis takes the game over as the Jags need this win to keep pace late in the season for the SWAC West title. Southern wins a crucial home game.
• VS ALCORN STATE (L): Yet another toss-up for the Tigers. Despite Qwyenterio Cole transferring to Louisville, the Braves’ secondary will be solid and make Shedeur Sanders look like a freshman.

Prediction: 7-4, 6-3 SWAC

Jackson State could be a 10-win team this fall with  FAMU, Southern, and Alcorn being toss-ups. The fortunes of their season rest squarely on the arm of the younger Sanders. Coach Prime and his staff have done a fantastic job of identifying and recruiting players to improve the roster.

The offensive and defensive lines will be better. Sanders is going to be a great quarterback but will take his lumps as a frosh quarterback.