Commentary: SWAC change helps ASU renew Tuskegee rivalry

COURTESY ASU HORNETS ATHLETICS

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The announcement didn't send shockwaves throughout college football earlier this spring, but it changed the scheduling game for SWAC teams.

Back in May, the conference had its spring meetings in New Orleans and came out of it with a decision to reduce its conference games from nine to seven. As a result, its 10 schools can play up to five non-conference games starting in 2017.

Alabama State is making the most of it.

The Hornets have announced three schools for its future schedules with the latest being the big one -- Tuskegee. The schools agreed to a four-year deal starting in 2017 with a season opener on Sept. 2 and ending in 2020. All the games will be played in early September at ASU Stadium.

It's not the Turkey Day Classic, but it's what fans from both sides want to see and a payday for both. The games will be sure a sellout at ASU Stadium as was the case when Tuskegee played there in 2012 in the first-ever game at ASU's new stadium.


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