Another exciting football season is upon us in Tigerland. The G-men look to make their way back to the top of the mountain and reclaim their spot as Southwestern Athletic Conference champions. The new season gets kicked off Sept. 4 with the inaugural Port City Classic, in which the G-Men will take on neighboring rival Louisiana Tech for the first time in both programs’ histories.
This will turn out to be the ultimate testament of how the new-look Tigers will do without former quarterback Greg Dillon and NFL prospect defensive end Christian Anthony. Anthony experienced chest pains and hasn’t been cleared to return to the field.
Defense seems to hold the key to the Tigers competing for a spot in the SWAC championship game this fall, while the offense will have to depend heavily on the legs of their trio at runningback led by preseason first team All-SWAC selection Frank Warren.
Linebacker Cliff Exama is primed for a good year as well as running back Cornelius Walker.
Proper quarterback play will allow receivers Ryan Allen and Mario Louis to be vertical threats along with speedster Kiare Thompson.
Cornerback Ken Anio is coming back from injuries that plagued him last year, and Brune Foster needs to play to his potential if the Tigers want to stop any and all comers.
Coach Broadway has no illusions about what his team has to do to be successful, and under his direction, the G-Men have maintained the high prestige of the program.
During camp they’ve looked to have made major strides since the spring practices – and keep your eyes glued to a certain freshman quarterback.
A lot of preseason poll predictions have Grambling finishing second in the SWAC West Division behind last year’s champion Prairie View A&M. But in all fairness (wink, wink), I have to keep it as we in Tigerland say “G”.
So here are my predictions (won/loss only) for the upcoming GSU football season, along with the offensive and defensive X-factors.
How the G-Men will fare?
Offensive and X-Factor: RB Kenneth Baptiste and DB Brune Foster
GRAMBLING STATE vs. Louisiana Tech: Loss. Bulldogs too much for Tigers in the end.
Jackson State: Win. First home game Gram put another rival under.
Prairie View (toss-up game) Win. SWAC champ could come from winner.
Alabama A&M: Win.
Alabama State: Win. Always great game.
Alcorn State: Win.
Mississippi Valley: Win. If we lose it’s a problem.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Win. QB play will be vital in this one.
Concordia College: Win: Last game was in ’05, got into the 80 point range.
Texas Southern: Win
Southern: Win. Can we make it two in a row?
SWAC Championship game
GSU vs Alabama State: Win. Can we go all the way?
Prediction: 10-1 overall, 9-0 in SWAC play.