Bayou Classic primed for another Southern-Grambling shootout Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome

NEW ORLEANS -- The Bayou Classic has a new kickoff time and a new network home.

But when viewers tune in to the NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. Saturday, chances are they will see a very familiar Southern-Grambling shootout in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Both teams have standout quarterbacks, dynamic backs and receivers beaucoup and dependable lines that allow for consistent orchestration in both phases of the offense.

As a result, the Tigers (8-2, 8-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) have averaged 46.8 points in league play and the Jaguars (6-4, 6-2) have averaged 42.1. In other words, this game could be a repeat of last year’s shootout — a 52-45 Southern win that ended, oddly enough, with Grambling unable to score a tying touchdown from about 18 inches on the game’s final play.

Still, the teams combined for 995 yards, a number that might be attainable again Saturday.

“Both of us have high-powered offenses,” Jaguars receiver Mike Jones said. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a shootout and a fun game to watch. It’s basically a track meet.”


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