Quick read: Alcorn State at Southern

Storyline: Contender or pretender?

Southern has won four of its last five contests, all conference matchups. However, of the four victories, only one has come against a team with a winning conference record (Prairie View). The other teams are a combined 3-12 in conference play. Southern’s lone loss in that stretch came to Eastern Division front-runner Jackson State, which defeated the Jaguars 19-14 last month. Alcorn State, which enters with a 4-1 SWAC record, has yet to defeat a conference foe with a winning record. Saturday presents a big opportunity for both teams to separate the pretenders from the contenders.

Keep an eye on: How SU holds up against the run

Alcorn State boasts the conference’s second-best rusher statistically in Arnold Walker, who averages 88.6 yards per contest. Southern has held up relatively well in recent weeks in stopping the run after a dreadful start to the season. Walker and the Alcorn State rushing attack is perhaps the best unit the Jaguars defense has faced since the Prairie View game and will certainly test Southern to see if the improvement is legitimate.

Key matchup: Southern WRs vs. Alcorn State DBs

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