HOUSTON – Florida A&M and Jackson State are two of the best teams in HBCU football this season. In Week 7, the Jungle Predators rest up before their epic SWAC East clash in Week 8 in Jackson, Mississippi. The winner could emerge as the top contender for the division title and position themselves as the favorite to win the SWAC crown.

The Vet is becoming the epicenter of HBCU football, but Alabama State is still in the picture as its hopes for this year’s championship in Montgomery fade. At the start of the season, the Hornets were one of the most talked about teams following the acquisition of quarterback Andrew Body. Injuries to him and Jonah O’Brien could derail Eddie Robinson Jr.’s team’s plan to represent the SWAC in Atlanta in December.

During Alabama State’s homecoming concert with hip-hop artist Sexyy Red last Friday night, Hornets fans raved about upsetting the Rattlers. Despite the Hornets’ intentions, FAMU came to Montgomery to make a statement as a party spoiler.

The Rattlers showed determination in their pregame warmup. They knew the mission. Unfortunately, Coach Robinson was without his fourth and fifth string quarterbacks. State’s defense played well, but the offense didn’t get the memo.

The Hornets would excel in the second half, but the Rattlers would strike, strike and strike again with touchdowns to earn their first SWAC East win, 28-13.

What separates great football teams from good ones? It’s their ability to overcome adversity and persevere through close games until victory. The early challenge from South Carolina State primed Florida A&M for resiliency. Winning the SWAC East is a difficult task for any team. Still, FAMU is ready to be that team this year.

Wait. There’s another team lurking in the division that may have the answer to defeating the Rattlers – Jackson State.

After defeating Texas Southern 43-14 in Week 5, coach TC Taylor told HBCU Legends, “If we do things right, we have a special football team.” Last week, his team prevailed again, defeating Alabama A&M at Gulf Coast Classic in Mobile with 45:38.

Jacobian Morgan was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight year and running back Irv Mulligan scored two points ahead of the Bulldogs.

With a bye week for the Tigers and Rattlers, the anticipation is palpable heading into the Week 8 game at The Vet in Jackson on Saturday, October 19th. The four-letter network recognized the importance of this fight and immediately elevated the game to its ESPNU platform, adding to the excitement.

Since 2021, the division crown has been held in Jackson, Mississippi or Tallahassee, with the Tigers lifting the trophy twice. JSU has two conference wins, with Florida A&M securing its only win.

Another component of a well-coached team is converting ball losses into points. We watched the Tigers dismantle TSU on mistakes while A&M had two interceptions and a scoop-and-score too many for ASU to answer last Saturday in Montgomery, Florida.

Week 8 in Jackson, Mississippi will be an afternoon to remember for the SWAC. The winner could become the division’s representative to continue its campaign for the 2024 Cricket SWAC Football Championship.

Florida A&M currently has the advantage over Jackson State. However, in HBCU football, every game is a new day and not a day for predictions. On the evening of October 19th, the outcome of the game will be the decisive day for a team.