Bayou Classic a SWAC showdown

NEW ORLEANS -- The Grambling-Southern matchup in this year's Bayou Classic is shaping up as an Ali-Frazier type of bout.

Grambling and Southern sport identical 8-0 records in the Southwestern Athletic Conference thanks to mirror image eight-game win streaks. To date, Grambling is receiving more exposure with a No. 14 ranking in the latest FCS Coaches Poll, but Southern's play has forced a potential matchup for the ages with a SWAC title berth on the line.

"It’s better than a heavyweight title fight," Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said Tuesday at Bayou Classic media day in New Orleans. "All season long I’ve been pulling for Southern University as well as pulling for ourselves to make sure we could get to this point like this.

"I think it gives us an opportunity to have a huge game and a huge draw. We’re looking forward to this. I wouldn’t have it any other way than for both teams to be undefeated and to settle it on the field."

The stakes are straightforward: the winner plays Alcorn State in the Dec. 3 SWAC title game in Houston. All Grambling has talked about is getting back to the championship and taking care of business.

Only Southern stands in the way.

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