Southwestern Athletic Conference
FCS Non-Conference Schedule Analysis
The SWAC still plays everyone within their division and three of the five from the other side. Meaning they miss out on one conference opponent from the other side, not as big of a deal. Division champions meet to play for the conference’s Celebrations Bowl bid. With an eleven game schedule, everyone has the games away from their brothers. In some instances, this cost them that extra FBS money game. Most of these teams sustain through these games. Playoff at-large bids are mostly out of the question, so they can play the money game and usually do it as well.
Alabama A&M: vs. Stephen F. Austin, @ Alabama-Birmingham (FBS), @ Mississippi State (FBS).
- A&M was able to put together a great schedule for themselves. First they receive a home game against a Southland team, Stephen F. Austin. Then they get two road games with FBS hosts, meaning more cash. On top of that, the travel is minimal.
Alabama State: vs. Tuskegee (lower), @ Texas Tech (FBS), @ Kennesaw State.
- Alabama State is playing the same schedule, more or less, as 2019. They host Tuskegee again but travel to Kennesaw State, returning last season’s home tilt. The road game to Texas Tech replaces Alabama-Birmingham as their FBS opponent. Tougher game and a little more travel, but it should be a much bigger check.
Alcorn State: @ Auburn (FBS), vs. Fort Valley State (lower), vs. Virginia-Lynchburg (lower).
- If Alcorn State was looking to make money from an FBS team and guarantee two wins, by playing lower division opponents, they get an A+ with this schedule. Auburn will give them money and they should whoop it up in both home games.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: @ Troy (FBS), @ Miami, OH (FBS), vs. Bethune-Cookman.
- A-PB does an about face from 2019’s schedule. Last year, they played two lower division opponents. This year, none but with two FBS games. Essentially trading home gate for road blood money. The Bethune-Cookman game is good opponent to land as they’re a fellow HBCUer from the MEAC.
Grambling State: vs. South Carolina State, @ South Alabama (FBS), @ Texas-San Antonio (FBS).
- This schedule is going to be tough but it’s going to be an A+ money maker like many of those old infomercials get rich pyramid schemes from the 1980s. South Carolina State is a showcase-neutral site game that usually brings nice coin to the HBCUs. The other two are FBS games which usually do the same.
Jackson State: vs. Langston (lower), vs. Tennessee State, @ Southern Mississippi (FBS).
- A totally balanced schedule here. Open with lower division Langston for what should be an easy win. A showcase game with Tennessee State, which they’ll hope is a toss up. Finish with an FBS game at Southern Mississippi, for the money and a likely loss.
Mississippi Valley State: @ Nicholls, @ Sam Houston State, vs. Virginia-Lynchburg (lower).
- The Delta Devils play at two Southland teams, who are obviously poaching on MVSU’s lack of success as a program to secure an FCS win. Later on, they host the nomadic Dragons of Virginia-Lynchburg, who’ll play anyone, anywhere, as long as they get a check.
Prairie View A&M: @ Texas Christian (FBS), @ Louisiana Tech (FBS), vs. Northwestern State.
- Prairie View, more times than not, seems to get a couple tougher teams on the schedule. Well, two FBS road games nods to the notion. They did score a home game against the Southland’s Northwestern State.
Southern: vs. Tennessee State, vs. Florida A&M, vs. Morehouse (lower).
- Southern gets Tennessee State, from the OVC, in an HBCU Showcase game. After that, they’ll host a different HBCU team, Florida A&M. Come October 31, they’ll host their final non-con against lower division, Morehouse. No road games, that’s always advantageous for your record.
Texas Southern: vs. Houston Baptist, vs. Texas-Permian Basin (lower), @ New Mexico State (FBS).
- Texas Southern will actually play some home dates this year. Last year, they played seven of eleven on the road. Houston Baptist gives them an AQ FCS opponent to host, from the Southland. They host a lower division opponent, the second week of October. The month after that, they’ll finally finish at FBS New Mexico State. Good schedule.
Southwestern Numbers
1 vs. Big South
3 vs. MEAC
2 vs. OVC
5 vs. Southland
12 vs. FBS
7 vs. Lower Division (Div-II, Div-III, NAIA, NCCAA)
