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SWAC preview

After Thanksgiving, there are no more practices. No more meetings. No more stadiums on gameday. The Bayou Classic is upon us ladies and gentlemen, and it is a must win game now.

The G-Men have fought valiantly this entire season and only lost two games.

Their loss to Texas Southern University was the biggest. Last Thursday night, the ball was dropped in Houston, placing the team in a dire situation.

For Grambling to advance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, we must win the Bayou Classic while TSU has to lose to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

All year, the G-Men have worked to keep a stainless record even with a few close calls. Games like TSU remind us of how permeable the defense is.

Missed tackles and assignments produced points for Texas Southern and heart break for the Tigers.

The offense wasn’t that daunting as well. They finished the game with 220 yards with just 90 through the air.

With both schools having a 7-1 record, a problem emerges. Everyone wants to go to Birmingham and now these last two games decide who does.

Pending the outcome of the Bayou Classic and TSU’s last game, it looks like the end of this season will be a nail biter. Southern University comes in to the season ender with a loss to Alabama State University to the tune of 21-19.

The Southern Jaguars’ record is 1-7 for the SWAC; so, they are not considered a true contender for this game. As we all know with sports, “every dog has its day,” so they can never be completely counted out.

On the other hand, TSU’s opponent is UAPB. Grambling played them during the Delta Literacy Classic. Though UAPB was defeated by Grambling, they started strong.

The UAPB Golden Lions have a .500 record at 4-4 and given the opportunity could have a repeat victory against TSU Tigers. But, the game would have to be sloppy and unmanaged for this to happen.

The only way Grambling will still have the chance at winning the SWAC Western Division is if TSU loses against UAPB and we win against SU. If they don’t lose, the G-men’s season will end in New Orleans at the Bayou Classic.

But, for the time being Tiger fans, our fingers will be crossed and prayers sent up for our G-Men to emerge with a stamped ticket to the SWAC Championship playoff game.

Jessieca C. Gafford is a mass communication senior from Grambling.