By RONNIE TURNER, For The Chronicle
Arkansas-Pine Bluff ready to shine; Golden Lions want another shot at SWAC title
Last season was a surprising one in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, with traditional powers Grambling State and Southern each failing to crack the .500 mark.
Instead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff ran through the league with a 7-2 mark before falling to Alabama A&M in the SWAC championship game.
Alabama A&M returns 15 starters, including eight to a defense that led the SWAC in scoring defense (19.5 points per game). Arkansas-Pine Bluff placed eight players on the All-SWAC preseason team, none more notable than quarterback Chris Wallace, the 2006 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, Wallace threw for 2,023 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Hard to read
Texas Southern faces tough non-conference matchups against defending Conference USA champion Houston and UTEP, with both games on the road. On top of that, TSU must travel to meet defending SWAC champion Alabama A&M, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State.
Picture books
Alcorn State will host Grambling State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M, three of the league's better teams, while traveling to face Alabama State and Texas Southern, who figure to be two of the league's worst teams.
Plot twist
Prairie View A&M over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 3). The Panthers barely missed taking down the defending Western Division champions in a 28-21 home loss last season. However, Prairie View's improved passing game could make a difference.
Compelling reads
• Texas Southern at Grambling State (Oct. 27): TSU pulled off a stunning 33-28 upset when these two met last season, and Grambling State won't be able to live down the embarrassment of that loss until it returns the favor.
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alabama A&M (Oct. 18): The league's top two teams from a year ago will meet up in what could be a preview of this season's SWAC championship game.
• Southern at Grambling State (Nov. 24): The winner of this matchup could wind up representing the Western Division in the SWAC title game.
Pop-up book
Prairie View A&M. The Panthers dropped five games by seven points or less a season ago but appear to be close to turning the corner. With 14 returning starters and even more confidence, Prairie View should be on its way to recording its first winning season since 1976.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff ready to shine; Golden Lions want another shot at SWAC title
Last season was a surprising one in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, with traditional powers Grambling State and Southern each failing to crack the .500 mark.
Instead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff ran through the league with a 7-2 mark before falling to Alabama A&M in the SWAC championship game.
Alabama A&M returns 15 starters, including eight to a defense that led the SWAC in scoring defense (19.5 points per game). Arkansas-Pine Bluff placed eight players on the All-SWAC preseason team, none more notable than quarterback Chris Wallace, the 2006 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, Wallace threw for 2,023 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Hard to read
Texas Southern faces tough non-conference matchups against defending Conference USA champion Houston and UTEP, with both games on the road. On top of that, TSU must travel to meet defending SWAC champion Alabama A&M, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State.
Picture books
Alcorn State will host Grambling State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M, three of the league's better teams, while traveling to face Alabama State and Texas Southern, who figure to be two of the league's worst teams.
Plot twist
Prairie View A&M over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 3). The Panthers barely missed taking down the defending Western Division champions in a 28-21 home loss last season. However, Prairie View's improved passing game could make a difference.
Compelling reads
• Texas Southern at Grambling State (Oct. 27): TSU pulled off a stunning 33-28 upset when these two met last season, and Grambling State won't be able to live down the embarrassment of that loss until it returns the favor.
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alabama A&M (Oct. 18): The league's top two teams from a year ago will meet up in what could be a preview of this season's SWAC championship game.
• Southern at Grambling State (Nov. 24): The winner of this matchup could wind up representing the Western Division in the SWAC title game.
Pop-up book
Prairie View A&M. The Panthers dropped five games by seven points or less a season ago but appear to be close to turning the corner. With 14 returning starters and even more confidence, Prairie View should be on its way to recording its first winning season since 1976.
Make book on it
Eastern Division: 1. Jackson State; 2. Alabama A&M; 3. Alcorn State; 4. Mississippi Valley State; 5. Alabama State.
Western Division: 1. Arkansas Pine-Bluff; 2. Grambling State; 3. Prairie View A&M; 4. Southern;. 5. Texas Southern.
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