2023 SWAC Football Championship, How To Watch
The 2023 SWAC Football Championship between Prairie View A&M (6-5, 6-2 SWAC) and No. 5 Florida A&M (10-1, 8-0) is the penultimate HBCU football game ahead of the 2023 Celebration Bowl. of the year. Howard University awaits the winner for the right to claim the 2023 HBCU Football National Championship title.
Florida A&M is making its first SWAC Championship Game appearance, and Prairie View A&M is 1-1 in the event. In the 2021 championship game, the Panthers were defeated by Jackson State 27-10.
2023 SWAC Football Championship Game; Credit: SWAC
BROADCAST
Saturday's kickoff at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, is set for 3 PM CT and will broadcast live on ESPN 2. HBCU football's dynamic duo of Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay "Sky" Walker (color analyst) will be on the call for the network.
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ODDS & BETTING
Las Vegas has the Panthers as a 17.5-point underdog to the Rattlers, with the over/under at 48.5 points. The betting money line on Prairie View A&M is +600, and Rattlers -1205.
THE TEAMS & COACHES
Coaches
- Willie Simmons - Florida A&M (33-12, 26-5 FAMU)
Willie Simmons was named the 18th full-time head football coach of the Florida A&M storied program on December 12, 2017. Simmons enters his sixth season (33-12, 26-5) in 2023. Coach Simmons is considered one of the collegiate game's most creative and innovative offensive minds.
- Bubba McDowell - Prairie View A&M (12-10 PVAMU)
Bubba McDowell is in his second season as the head football coach of the Panthers. McDowell was named the head football coach of PVAMU on January 4, 2022. The former NFL defensive standout is in his 12th season as a part of the Prairie View A&M coaching staff, including four seasons as an assistant head coach. He also coached the Panther cornerbacks in the last three seasons. In his first season, McDowell led the Panthers to a back-to-back Western Division Title, although PVAMU was tied with the Southern Jaguars, who had the same conference record sharing the 2022 title.
Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Jackson State Tigers during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY SportsPanthers QB Trazon Connerly scores TD versus Alabama State on Sept. 24, 2022. Credit: PV Athletics
Players to Watch
- Prairie View: QB Trazon Connely, RB Ahmad Antoine, MLB Keyshawn Johnson, WR Jaquan Bloomfield
- Florida A&M: QB Jeremy Moussa, RB Kelvin Dean, WR Jah'Marae Sheread, MLB Isaiah Major, CB Kendall Bohler
Uniforms
The Florida A&M Rattlers will wear white helmets and pants, with the infamous FAMU orange jerseys. On the other sideline, the Prairie View A&M Panthers will don white jerseys and purple pants.
Florida A&M defensive linemen Allen Smith Jr. (left) and Makody Robertson celebrates a play against the Prairie View A&M Panthers at the Rattlers' homecoming football game at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Prediction
The 45-7 loss Prairie View suffered earlier in the year suggests the contest will be one-sided. However, if the Panthers keep the game close into the fourth quarter, they may have a chance at the upset.
However, Willie "Shotgun" Simmons has brilliant offensive mind, and the Rattlers possess the talent, crowd, band, and motivation to be crowned the 2023 SWAC Football Champions. 2023 very well may be the Year of the Rattler!