It's hard to believe, but this will be the fourth Saturday of the college football calander. It's been an interesting year so far, but we're only a third of the way through it.
This week also marks the real start of SWAC play, as the entire conference is playing each other. While there are several interesting matchups, one will undoubtedly draw the most attention on Saturday.
Grambling and Jackson State are set for another grudge match between the two teams this weekend in Jackson. That's nothing new as these two squads have been rivals since before Eddie Robinson and John Merritt turned them into powerhouses. The rivalry will take on new meaning this year, however, as Grambling returns to JSU for the first time since its infamous boycott shutdown last year's game. The folks at JSU were understandably upset, as they were slated to play Grambling for homecoming, the biggest event at any HBCU every single year.
Grambling's boycott not only represented a missed game, it represented missed economic funds for the hotels, vendors, and of course, the school itself. While how much money was lost and who should be responsible for it will likely be fought in the courts for years to come, expect Jackson State to do everything it can to make sure that Grambling's trip to JSU will be an uncomfortable one.
In the MEAC, the game to watch will be Howard vs. Morgan State. These two neighboring schools will take their rivalry to the Big Apple, as they headline the Urban League Classic at Metlife Stadium. Both teams are coming off their first wins of the season, albeit against D2 schools. Both schools had near misses against FBS opponents as Morgan State came up short against Eastern Michigan and Rutgers ultimately proved to be too much for Howard to handle. Still, both teams are looking to build off those performances and make a statement in their conference opener.
Down in Division II, Tuskegee and Winston-Salem State will meet for the second year in a row. Both programs enter this matchup at 1-1, as Tuskegee defeated Albany State while WSSU fell to Valdosta State on the road. Last year these were the only two HBCUs to make the playoffs at the Division II level, and both are hoping to get back there again this year. Both teams should have a lot to prove as Tuskegee will look to avenge last season's 35-14 loss in the Cleveland Classic while WSSU will be looking to avoid its first two-game losing streak since 2009.
We'll be live at Bowman Gray Stadium for WSSU vs. Tuskegee. To stay in the loop, follow us on Twitter for in-game updates and Like us on Facebook for exclusive pictures. And don't forget to listen to the HBCU Report every Thursday afternoon on TSL Sports Talk.
