DIGEST Sport Commentary
The Jaguars are coming off a sensational victory and probably their most complete game of the season against the Alcorn State Braves, winning 24-14. However, they are going to need more of that to get rid of their Achilles heel, the Florida A&M Rattlers. In the all-time series against the Rattlers, the Jags are 24-37-1. The last time these two teams faced off against each other, the Jags lost at home 19-26. The Jags have lost the last four matches against the Rattlers. Also, Southern hasn’t beaten FAMU since 2012. Furthermore, Southern hasn’t won in Bragg Memorial Stadium since 2001, scoring 17-14 in an overtime thriller. However, those numbers can be misleading because the Jags have proven to be competitive against FAMU, losing by an average of 7.8 points if you take the last 6 losses against the Rattlers.
Southern, essentially control their destiny in their quest to berth themselves into the SWAC Championship game after coming up with a huge victory against the Alcorn State Braves. The Jags are 3-0 in the SWAC Conference play, marking the first time since 2016 when the Jags went 8-1 in conference play. Southern averages slightly more points per game (PPG) than Florida A&M. Southern ranks 8th, averaging 21.1 PPG, compared to FAMU, ranking 9th, averaging 19.3 PPG. More convincingly, Southern has the better defense, ranking 3rd in points allowed a game, averaging 24.6 PPG compared to 7th ranked FAMU, averaging 29.8 PPG. (SWAC Standings)
For Florida A&M, they have the 3rd best passing offense in the SWAC, averaging 239.7 yards per game (YPG). Southern does follow right behind, averaging 227.1 YPG. However, FAMU has one of the worst rushing offenses, ranking 11th in the SWAC, averaging 88.2 YPG. Vice versa, Southern has the 6th best rushing defense, giving up 158.7 YPG. Overall, FAMU has the 9th best total defense in the SWAC compared to Southern being ranked 3rd.
Southern has had inconsistencies, but it feels like the old friend momentum is working in the Jags’ favor. With FAMU losing old head coach Willie Simmons, creating a noticeable difference in the former HBCU national champions, the Florida A&M Rattlers, from the previous year, it just seems the Jags are set to end the losing streak against the Rattlers. I predict the Jags to win 24-10, beating FAMU on the road for the first time since 2001.
Kickoff is set for 6 P.M. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
