Florida A&M vs. Texas Southern | SWAC Game Of The Week
HOUSTON — It's Week 8 of the HBCU football season, and tonight's featured SWAC game takes place in Houston as the Texas Southern Tigers (2-4, 1-2 SWAC) host the No. 18 Florida A&M Rattlers (5-1, 4-0 SWAC). FAMU will make their first visit to Texas in 45 years since Rudy Hubbard's NCAA Division I-AA National Championship team.
Head coach Willie Simmons (59-24 | 38-13 FAMU) is familiar with H-Town and still refers to the city as his favorite. Texas Southern's head coach Clarence McKinney (11-31) and his Tigers are riding high after playing "Homecoming Crashers" at Bethune-Cookman with a 34-31 victory on the road.
Jack Wilson vs. Rice; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends
TSU OFFENSE vs. FAMU DEFENSE (SWAC)
The Tigers are confident they could spoil Willie Simmons' homecoming to H-Town behind the inspired play of running back LaDarius Owens. He is the second-leading rusher in the SWAC with 567 rushing yards on 70 carries and scoring five touchdowns.
However, the "Dark Cloud" defensive unit led by LB Isaiah Major of FAMU is the league's best defense, surrendering only 12 touchdowns, four field goals, and 15.7 points per game.
- TSU Total Offense: No. 5 - 356.0 yards per game
- TSU Rushing Offense: No. 1 - 181 yards per game
- TSU Passing Offense: No. 9 - 175.0 yards per game
- FAMU Total Defense: No. 1 - 274.2 yards per game
- FAMU Rushing Defense: No. 1 - 82.7 yards per game
- FAMU Passing Defense: No. 1 - 191.5 yards per game
TSU DEFENSE VS. FAMU OFFENSE
Texas Southern's defense with LB Jacob Williams, DL Michael Akins, and DL Elinus Noel III has improved in the previous six games. Still, it is ranked at the bottom of the conference, allowing 32 touchdowns, five field goals, and 40 points per contest. On paper, it's a mismatch for the league's best signal-caller, Jeremy Moussa. The senior passes at a 58% rate for 1,569 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a 261.5 yards average in six games. The TSU secondary will have to play a spotless game to contain the explosiveness of the FAMU wideouts like Jah'Marae Sheread.
- TSU Total Defense: No. 9 - 422.3 yards per game
- TSU Rushing Defense: No. 11 - 194.8 yards per game
- TSU Passing Defense: No. 8 - 227.5 yards per game
- FAMU Total Offense: No. 4 - 378.0 yards per game
- FAMU Rushing Offense: No. 10 - 107.2 yards per game
- FAMU Passing Offense: No. 1 - 270.8 yards per game
April 15, 2023; Head coach Clarence McKinney overlooking his Teas Southern Tigers team after the 2023 Texas Southern Spring Game in Houston, TX. Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends
THE 7 ADVANTAGES
- Jeremy Moussa will attempt to exploit an erratic Texas Southern secondary. Advantage FAMU
- The Tigers' rushing offense with Owens and Howard could make it difficult for the Rattlers' defensive line. Advantage TSU
- TSU cannot allow the Rattlers' defensive line to tee off on Jace Wilson. Isaiah Major will be waiting for him to make a mistake. Advantage FAMU
- Coaching: Willie Simmons has consistently developed better teams. Advantage FAMU
- Expect the crowd to be 50-50 in this one. Florida A&M has a vast network of fans in Houston. No Advantage
- Records: FAMU is 10-2 in the all-time series history. Advantage FAMU
- Intangibles: Texas Southern will be amped up for this one. The Tigers will have a chance if they get Moussa and the offense to commit 2 to 3 turnovers. Also, they must eat up the clock with the rushing attack, wear down the Dark Cloud defense, and limit Moussa's possessions. It's a trap game for Florida A&M. We're still going with the upset special. Advantage TSU
The showdown between Florida A&M and Texas Southern will occur at Shell Energy Stadium with a 7 PM CT kickoff. ESPN+ will televise tonight's game with Butch Alsandor (play-by-play) and Jorge Vargas (analyst) handling the game call.