Southwestern Athletic Conference
FCS Non-Conference Schedule Analysis
The twelve game schedule provides some major opportunities for their teams to create extra income by playing an extra game against FBS teams. Being the other HBCU conference, Historically Black Colleges & Universities, along with the MEAC, a couple of FBS money grabs can finance entire athletic programs. The conference is still split into two divisions. Teams play everyone within their division and three of the five from the other side. That being said, a few teams do match-up for non-conference games on top of the seven that will count in the standings.
Alabama A&M: vs. Morehouse (lower), @ North Alabama, @ Samford, vs. Central State (lower), vs. Grambling State.
- A&M accomplished what they needed to with their non-conference schedule. Three home games is very nice. The two road games are both in-state, so travel is minimized. Having two lower division opponents all but guarantees a couple of wins.
Alabama State: @ Alabama-Birmingham (FBS), vs. Tuskegee (lower), vs. Kennesaw State, @ Florida State (FBS).
- An eleven game schedule here, so only four out of conference tilts. The two FBS games should provide some really nice financial gains, though at a cost to health and victories. The Florida State game is in November, splitting up their SWAC slate.
Alcorn State: @ Southern Mississippi (FBS), vs. Mississippi College (lower), @ McNeese, vs. Savannah State (lower).
- The Braves concentrate on games in Mississippi early on. The road games at Southern Mississippi and McNeese will be big uphill climbs. Two lower division teams fill their home dates, which should support some wins.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: @ Texas Christian (FBS), vs. Langston (lower), vs. Tennessee State, vs. Lane (lower).
- A-PB does the two home lower division thing as well. It’s a common thing in the SWAC. They will enjoy a nice payday from TCU, but will almost assuredly see a lot of crooked numbers up for their opposition. The Tennessee State game is a neutral site affair, as it’s a showcase game.
Grambling State: @ Louisiana-Monroe (FBS), @ Louisiana Tech (FBS), @ Jackson State, vs. Alabama A&M.
- Grambling State is the only team in the SWAC who plays everyone else. That means two of their games are non-conference technically. The other two games are in-state with FBS programs. In other words, less travel, better cash.
Jackson State: vs. Bethune-Cookman, @ South Alabama (FBS), vs. Tennessee State, vs. Kentucky State (lower), vs. Grambling State.
- Jackson State will have two showcase games with B-C and TSU. They still landed two home games and a game at nearby South Alabama, so they can collect some of that FBS green.
Mississippi Valley State: vs. Tennessee State, @ Lamar, vs. Bethune-Cookman, vs. Virginia-Lynchburg (lower).
- The Delta Devils play eleven games, with these four non-cons. Two of these games are showcase games with other HBCUs. They also have a home date with Virginia-Lynchburg, who’ll play anybody for a check. The road game at Lamar will be a stiff test.
Prairie View A&M: @ Houston (FBS), vs. Nicholls, vs. Virginia-Lynchburg (lower), vs. Edward Waters (lower).
- Look who’s on the home schedule? The aforementioned Virginia-Lynchburg. Games at FBS Houston and against Nicholls will be tough, but A&M has a knack for making games close that weren’t thought to be. Ask Sam Houston State last year.
Southern: @ McNeese, @ Memphis (FBS), vs. Edward Waters (lower), @ Florida A&M.
- Three road games and one home date with a lower division opponent. Hopefully they get good money from Memphis and McNeese. Florida A&M will be their third of four road games in their first five games. They won’t have a Division I opponent at home until October 12!
Texas Southern: @ Incarnate Word, @ Louisiana (FBS), @ Houston Baptist, vs. Missouri A&T (lower).
- Possessors of maybe the worst schedule in FCS. Eleven total games, SEVEN on the road and one other game which is a neutral site. No favors done for them there. Two road games at Southland teams. Absolutely brutal.
Southwestern Numbers
2 vs. Big South
3 vs. MEAC
3 vs. OVC
1 vs. Southern
6 vs. Southland
4 vs. SWAC, meaning there are two head-to-head match-ups
10 vs. FBS
14 vs. Lower Division (Div-II, Div-III, NAIA, NCCAA)
