Bulldog buzz: Alabama A&M at Grambling

Alabama A&M vs. Grambling

WHAT: Alabama A&M at Grambling State
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Eddie Robinson Stadium, Grambling, La.
LINE: N/A

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: Which team will get a head-start in the Southwest Athletic Conference race, though A&M and Grambling are in opposite divisions of the SWAC. Grambling is trying to bounce back from a winless conference record in 2012, after having won the league title over A&M in 2011.The early-season meeting will be a stern test for both teams, which have numerous questions marks, but the loser will have time to recover and still contend for the title.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR
1. Defensive unpredictability. Grambling State has a new coordinator in former NFL linebacker Dennis "Dirt" Winston, who was at Pine Bluff last season. Head coach Doug Williams has been coy about what scheme - or schemes - Winston will employ and it's a mystery to A&M as well.
2. Alabama A&M offensive mistakes. The Bulldogs have a new quarterback in Brandon Wells, a new tailback and four new starters on the offensive line. It is bound to make mistakes, especially as it can't game-plan as effectively against Grambling's defense. How efficiently and smoothly Wells and the offense shrug off plays that have negative yardage or have major mistakes - like a golfer forgetting how he three-putted before going onto the next tee - will determine much of A&M's early success this year.

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