SWAC football coming to a close

As the football season draws closer to December 13, the day of the 2003 SWAC Championship, it’s either do or die for four teams in the upcoming two weeks.
The fate of Alabama State and Alcorn State will be determined this week while the winner of next week’s Southern-Grambling match up will head to Birmingham.
Alabama State can win their second division in three years with a win against Texas Southern on Saturday. The Hornets, who lead the conference in rushing offense (188.0 ypg.), will go against a Tigers’ squad that is playing well above what their standings suggest.
Alcorn State is going to Jackson, Miss. to face Jackson State while enjoying a four-game winning streak. The Braves have a shot at the East division title, winning five of their last games and the Tigers are playing for pride. However, when it comes to the “Capital City Classic” or the “Soul Bowl,” as the alumni has affectionately tagged the event, anything goes.
Grambling State is idle this week and looking and finish the season with a fourth-straight conference title by defeating Southern on November 29 in the Bayou Classic. Quarterback Bruce Eugene will finish the season as the Tigers’ all-time passing leader, surpassing head coach Doug Williams’ passing record against Savannah State.
After a last minute score to defeat Texas Southern, Southern’s title hopes are still realistic and defeating Grambling will bring those hopes one game closer to a reality.
Head coach Pete Richardson is looking to bring the title back to “The Bluff” after a three-year hiatus. The Jags’ have an arsenal of offensive and defensive weapons; starting with quarterback Quincy Richard, who leads the nation’s top scoring offense, to defensive back Lenny Williams, who is at the helm of a squad that is sixth in the nation in total defense.
In the event of a tie for the division title, the following procedures will be used (as prescribed by the SWAC):
FOR TWO-TEAM TIES:
a. Head-to-Head competition, i.e., Southern vs. Grambling game
FOR TIES INVOLVING THREE OR MORE TEAMS
a. Record in games played among the teams locked in a tie
b. Record in games played in that division ONLY
c. Scoring margins in games played among the teams locked in a tie
d. Scoring margin in games played in that division ONLY
e. Overall record
f. Coin toss by the commissioner
SWAC GAMES THIS WEEK:
Since the Jaguars do not have to go on the field this weekend, here are other games going on around the SWAC. There are three games scheduled for this weekend while Mississippi Valley and Prairie View’s seasons are finished.
Alcorn State at Jackson State – 1 p.m.
Univ. of Ark.-Pine Bluff at Alabama A&M – 1:30 p.m.
Alabama State at Texas Southern – 7 p.m.