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DEL.ICIO.USBayou Classic big for many reasons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For those who didn’t think the Bayou Classic could get any bigger than it already is, next week’s showdown will be really big.
Here’s what at stake when Grambling and Southern meet at the Louisiana Superdome:
• A victory by Grambling would clinch the SWAC Western Division title and a berth in the Dec. 13 conference championship game against Jackson State.
• A victory by Southern would force a three-way tie between Grambling, Southern and Prairie View atop the Western Division.
For Grambling, it’s simple - win and it advances to the SWAC title game. Lose and it will have its fate decided by a coin flip.
The Tigers remained unbeaten in SWAC play with an impressive 33-7 victory over Texas Southern Thursday. The defense was the key, scoring three touchdowns and holding the Texas Southern offense, playing without injured starting QB Bobby Reid, to 101 total yards.
“This gives us nine wins for the football team, a good accomplishment,” Grambling coach Rod Broadway told the News-Star of Monroe, La. “Now, we turn our attention to the Bayou Classic. Hopefully, we go down there and play well.”
Florida Classic on ESPN Classic: Saturday’s Florida Classic featuring Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M will be shown live on ESPN Classic. The game will kickoff at 2 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Capital City Classic: Jackson State will have its final tuneup before the SWAC title game when it faces Alcorn State in the Capital City Classic in Jackson, MS.
Weekend predictions
Winner/Loser
Delaware State/Howard
Florida A&M/Bethune Cookman
Jackson State/Alcorn State
Morgan State/Hampton
Miss. Valley/Alabama A&M
Savannah State/N.C. Central
S.C. State/North Carolina A&T
Tennessee State/Murray State
Winston-Salem State/Norfolk State
Editor’s Note: For the latest news and notes on Black College football, click here and visit the AJC’s HBCU football page.
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Comments
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By HowardMan
November 21, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Can someone call Ty Willingham and tell him that even if they don’t love him in South Bend or Seattle, he would be welcomed with open arms in Washington, D.C. at Howard University? I think it would be great to see a “main stream” African-American coach take the reigns of one of our showcase schools to see if he could shake things up on the field and in fundraising. Too bad we cannot raise the necessary cash to pay the salary necessary to get one of these guys to consider it.
By Leo Willingham
November 21, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
HowardMan, In addition to having a great last name, I think Ty Willingham would be a very good fit for Howard. Think about the instant credibility that he would bring to the program and the ability to recruit nationally with his contacts throughout the country. As you mentioned, however, it’s all about the almighty dollar - and if Howard is willing to spend the green to pull him in. Interesting thought ….
By A&M bulldog
November 21, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
He (willingham) needs to come down to AAMU..will take his contract over…hell we took over cooper’s contract in 97’ and that was a cool million buyout…come on down willingham..!!!
By richbrave
November 22, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Props to JOE TAYLOR who continues to prove out as a great coach. Got to enjoy a few of his teams early in his career here at VIRGINIA UNION. The dude can flat out call THE plays. He’s HOF in my book. Sure got the RATTLERS venom potent once again.
By ricky
November 23, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Being a B-CC former player with hopes so high and realistic that we were going to beat FAMU and get a Division 1-AA playoff bid. I am crush and blame Joe Taylor, what a great coaching job.
By richbrave
November 23, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
ricky:
Understand your discontent, but you lay the blame in its proper place. If you have followed VIRGINIA UNION football fortunes as I have over the past thirty years, you would absolutely understand the effect JOE TAYLOR has on his young men. He’s the real deal in every way. I thought at one time that WILLARD BAILEY whom JOE replaced was the best UNION even had. But since I have followed both at HAMPTON and NORFOLK STATE then to FAMU and little ST. PAULS, I believe him to be SLIGHTLY superior in his abilities. He is going to be a legend in time equal to JAKE GAITHER at FAMU if he stays. And at 58, I got the feeling he’s found his home.