HBCU Legends

5 Ways Southern Could Upset Jackson State in the 2022 SWAC Football Championship?

How would the Jaguars go into Jackson, MS and get the upset on Saturday
Kyle T. Mosley|
5 Ways Southern Could Upset Jackson State in the 2022 SWAC Football Championship?
5 Ways Southern Could Upset Jackson State in the 2022 SWAC Football Championship?

JACKSON, MS - Underdogs can win. If you study college football in November and December, underdogs can shock the dominant teams in conference championship games. Last night, as the news of Deion Sanders expecting to accept the Colorado head coaching position broke, Utah was whooping USC in the Pac-12 Championship game.

Not a big deal? The loss knocked USC out of the FBS Playoff race and sent the Trojans packing.

Could Southern duplicate the Utes' effort and send the 11-0 Jackson State Tigers void of the SWAC Football Championship title and Celebration Bowl visit? It's a possibility.

How could the Southern Jaguars provide the upset at the 2022 SWAC Football Championship against Jackson State?

Here are five keys to making the upset happen:

  1. Defensive Takeaways: Southern leads the FCS in defensive touchdowns with four interceptions returned and three fumbles returned. The Jaguars must give their offense extra possessions with takeaways.
  2. Limit Jackson State's third-down conversions.  Preventing continuity and throwing off the Tigers' rhythm is important.
  3. Make Sanders uncomfortable, early and often. Only a few teams have used Buddy Pough's defensive scheme he used against Shedeur in the 2021 Celebration Bowl, which is a mystery. If you attack him with stunts and edge blitzes, he may make a mistake - which is rare.
  4. QB Besean McCray must be a balanced quarterback and use Pitre's size over the JSU cornerbacks.
  5. Southern has to find consistency in third downs to extend drives and milk time off the clock.

Southern is No. 4 in the FCS for total defense. They allow 288.0 yards per game. Guess who's No. 1? That's right, Jackson State. Dennis Thurman's squad has been dominant by surrendering 216.9 yards per game. Expect the defensive mastermind to force Dooley's offense to become one-dimensional. If so, Southern will have difficulty.

Will the Jags win today?

We shall see.

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends. Former founder and publisher of the Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on SI since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Collegiate Head Coach), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Mark Ingram (NFL RB), Terron Armstead (NFL OL), Jameis Winston (NFL QB), Cam Newton (NFL QB), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Chennis Berry (Collegiate Head Coach), Johnny Jones (Collegiate Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Women's Basketball Coach), Tremaine Jackson (Collegiate Head Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (Former VP of Basketball - New Orleans Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

Share on XFollow ktmoze
Home/Football