One of the nation’s premier HBCU football showcases convenes for the 43rd time on Saturday, as Grambling State and Southern meet again in the Bayou Classic in New Orleans. Both teams have had their ups and downs in recent years, but they’re having excellent seasons and this has the makings of a classic.
Bayou Classic 2016, Southern vs. Grambling State: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
The winner advances to the SWAC title game, in addition to collecting another year of bragging rights.
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Grambling’s only loss this season was its season opener on the road against Arizona, and they only lost that game, 31-21. Since then, they’ve won eight straight games, and have only given up more than 20 points once. Southern has two losses, but both came to FBS teams to start the season. They’re also on an eight-game winning streak and are coming off beating Mississippi Valley State, 55-0, last week.
The quarterback play in this game should be excellent, as Southern’s Austin Howard and Grambling’s DeVante Kincade are first and second in the SWAC in both passing yards and touchdowns. Grambling’s defense will also have to contend with Southern running back Lenard Tillery, who is averaging over 6.5 yards per carry and leads the conference in rushing by nearly 400 yards.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 5 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Radio: Grambling State | Southern
Online streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra
Three big things to know
1. Both teams enter this game 8-0 in SWAC play, so this game decides which team advances to the conference title game to face Alcorn State. Grambling State would probably jump at the opportunity to make up for its loss to Alcorn State in the 2015 SWAC title game.
2. The football should be good, but if you came for the Marching Tigers and the Human Jukebox, you’d be in good shape.
3. The Bayou Classic series is tied at 21-21, so this game will tip history’s scales one direction. For at least one year, anyway.
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