Jeremy Anderson
Staff Writer
The Jackson State University Tigers will travel to Montgomery, Ala. this Saturday to play against the Hornets of Alabama State University.
Neither team is in contention for winning the Eastern Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Last week, Jackson State (3-6, 1-5) was eliminated from playoff contention after losing to Alabama A&M 25-14.
Alabama State (4-5, 3-4) also had its title hopes slashed after losing to Southern University 28-21.
With Mississippi Valley State also out of contention, the two Eastern Division teams with remaining hopes for a SWAC Championship are Alcorn State University and Alabama A&M. Alcorn only needs to defeat Alabama A&M this Saturday to clinch the Eastern Division Title.
On the Western side of the conference, Grambling State and Southern University are the only two teams remaining with hopes of reaching Houston on Dec. 6 in the 2014 Toyota SWAC Championship. The two teams could possibly play in a Bayou Classic matchup that would be a de-facto SWAC West Championship. Grambling State remains undefeated while Southern is a step behind them in the SWAC West standings with one loss.
For both Jackson State and Alabama State, the remaining incentive to play hard the rest of the season is school pride.
Both teams are in a similar slump in the season. In fact, after looking like two of the top HBCUs in the country at the beginning of the season, both teams are on a four game losing streak.
Jackson State lost all four home games of the mid-season home stand. Conversely, Alabama State has lost all four road games of their mid-season road trip. Yet, Alabama State has a 4-0 record when playing at home this season.
In order to end its losing streak and continue Alabama State’s losing streak, JSU must find a way to contain Alabama State’s explosive rushing attack. Although ASU has been losing, their rushing attack has not faltered.
Through nine games, Alabama State has rushed for 2,098 yards and is averaging 5.4 yards per rushing attempt. Leading their rushing attack is arguably the SWAC’s best running back, Malcolm Cyrus. Cyrus has rushed for 1,303 yards this season.
If JSU can offensively play up to its potential, and the defense can contain the ground game, JSU will have a chance at winning its first game since beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff back in September.
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. in ASU’s new stadium in Montgomery, Ala.
Be First to Comment