Grambling vs. Alcorn 2017 live stream: Time, TV schedule, and how to watch SWAC Championship online

The Grambling State Tigers and Alcorn State Braves have combined to win the last three SWAC Championships. Quarterback Devante Kincade will try to lead Grambling to a repeat as SWAC Champions, while across the field, De’Lance Turner — the conference’s only 1,000 yard rusher — is ready to exact revenge against the Tigers for last seasons title loss. The two titans will collide at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday at 3:30 p.m ET on ESPNU (live stream).

The Tigers started their season off with loss to Tulane — their only loss of the season. Since then, they’ve won 10 straight going into their matchup with the Braves behind the strength of their offense. The Tigers have the highest-scoring offense in the SWAC at 32.0 points per game, and Kincade might be the SWAC’s best quarterback. Kincade has thrown for 2,409 yards and 19 touchdowns, which ranks first and second in the conference, respectively. Kincade relies on Darrell Clark, who leads the Tigers with 459 yards receiving and five touchdowns.

The most impressive stat about the Grambling offense is that they score 90 percent of time when it gets into the red zone. That sets up a nice battle, as Alcorn’s red zone defense, which ranks No. 1 in the SWAC, is only allowing points 59.3 percent of the time.

Grambling doesn’t just score at will, it stonewalls opposing offenses. The Tigers possess the second-ranked scoring defense, only allowing 19.4 points per game. If Grambling wants to repeat, it’ll need its high-scoring offense to take advantage of the Braves.

While the Tigers are the top-ranked scoring offense, Alcorn State is right behind them with 30.9 points per game. Alcorn State is far and away the best rushing team in the SWAC with 2,654 yards — 800 yards more than the second-best team. The Braves’ star running back, Turner, has run for 1,221 yards and eight touchdowns. Alcorn State, however, will have to contend with the Tigers’ defense, which allows a conference-best 94 yards rushing per game.

The Braves will also need their passing game to get going if they want to rush the ball with any effectiveness. Norlando Veals is one of the conference’s top receivers with 45 receptions for 816 yards and six touchdowns. Veal will have to have a big receiving day to spread out the Tigers’ defense.

Sharp cited the rise in popularity of the Celebration Bowl, the de facto HBCU National Championship Game that matches up the SWAC champion and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in Atlanta on Dec. 16, as one of the reasons for pulling the plug on the SWAC title contest

Alcorn has to be cognizant that the game isn’t over till the final whistle, lest they suffer the same fate as the Tigers’ last opponent.

Calief Samon shocked a sputtering Grambling offense, and electrified the 66,550 fans on hand, by returning the ensuing kickoff 41 yards down to the Jaguars 40. Seven plays and 1:27 later, senior running back Martez Carter broke through on the ground for an 11-yard touchdown with 3:20 left. GSU went on to add a field goal to beat Southern, 30-21, to win the SWAC West Division title for the second straight season.

In their previous matchup this season, Grambling made quick work of Alcorn State, running up a 24-7 score by halftime. The Braves’ biggest obstacle in the game was moving the ball through the air and their numerous turnovers. They’ll have to hold onto the ball and avoid turnovers, and they will need production and big plays from their quarterback to help out their dominant rushing game. Alcorn will also need much better defense than was shown in their first matchup and must focus on not allowing the Tigers run and throw the ball down the field at will.

Alcorn State doesn’t seem to have much of a chance playing a Grambling team that hasn’t looked mortal since the opening week of the season. The Tigers’ offense is nigh-unstoppable in the red zone, and that fact coupled with their stout run defense makes it hard to see how Alcorn State will be able to either stop the Tigers or score against them. Quarterback has been a weak spot throughout the season, and without one, they won’t be able to take advantage of Grambling’s defense and will struggle to effectively move the ball. Grambling should win this one easily on its way to its second Celebration Bowl appearance in two years.