This year’s SWAC Championship between Jackson State and Prairie View A&M is intriguing because it breaks the predictable pattern of the past four seasons. Previously, the Celebration Bowl path was clear: Deion Sanders’ Jackson State teams, and later Willie Simmons’ Florida A&M squad, often seemed far ahead of the SWAC West finalists. This year’s Prairie View A&M team, under Coach Tremaine Jackson, poses a different and immediate challenge.
Prairie View A&M has taken on the swagger of its coach and employed a rough, tough defensive attack that ranks at the top of the conference in almost every metric. The Panthers lead the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 15.8 points per game. They are also first in total defense, holding opponents to 269.6 total yards per game, and rank at the top in passing defense, allowing only 126.1 yards per game. Their offense isn’t shabby either, ranking third in total offense, averaging 431.4 yards per game.
The Panthers have the makeup of a championship-contending team. On defense, Prairie View boasts playmakers across the field. Safety graduate student Travor Randle has racked up 84 total tackles, three interceptions, and four tackles for loss. Darrell Starling Jr. anchors the defensive line, while players like Eric Zachary prove to be hawks in the defensive backfield, leading the team with 11 pass breakups…