2023 SWAC Championship Preview & Prediction

We preview the 2023 SWAC Championship game between Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M

The Road to Atlanta leads to Bragg Memorial Stadium as Florida A&M will face Prairie View A&M with a berth to the Celebration Bowl on the line. The winner will face Howard on Dec. 16 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2023 Predictions Record: 78-37
2022 Predictions Record: 115-35

Prairie View A&M (6-5) @ Florida A&M (10-1)

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
Line: Florida A&M (-17.5)
Previous Matchup: Florida A&M 45-7 (Oct. 28)
SWAC Championship Records: Florida A&M (0-0); Prairie View A&M (1-1)

Key Players: Florida A&M

Jeremy Moussa (QB): 182 for 317 (57.1%), 2,416 Passing Yards, 18 Passing TDs, 8 INTs, 1 Rushing TD
Marcus Riley (WR): 27 Receptions, 438 Receiving Yards, 16.2 YPC, 4 Receiving TDs, 213 Kick Return yards, 1 Return TD
Jah'Marae Sheread (WR): 44 Receptions, 434 Receiving Yards, 9.9 YPC, 2 Receiving TDs, 212 Punt Return Yards
Isaiah Major (LB): 94 Total Tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 5 QBHs
Anthony Dunn Jr. (EDGE): 40 Total Tackles, 11 TFLs, 8 Sacks, 8 QBHs

Key Players: Prairie View A&M

Ahmad Antoine (RB): 107 Carries, 491 Rushing Yards, 4.6 YPC, 2 Rushing TDs
Caleb Johnson (RB): 90 Carries, 413 Rushing Yards, 4.6 YPC, 1 Rushing TD
Tre'jon Spiller (WR): 22 Receptions, 369 Receiving Yards, 16.7 YPC, 5 Receiving TDs
Keyshawn Johnson (LB): 79 Total Tackles, 5 TFLs, 0.5 Sacks, 2 QBHs
Derrick Ray Jr. (DL): 38 Total Tackles, 10 TFLs, 4 Sacks, 3 QBHs, 1 Forced Fumble

Florida A&M dominated Praire View A&M in a 45-7 blowout win in October. The Rattlers held the Panthers to 220 total offensive yards and less than 3.5 yards per play. Florida A&M enters this game with the second-longest home-winning streak in the country (19 Games). 

Prairie View A&M has leaned on the rushing attack over a three-game winning streak to end the season. The Panthers have averaged 174.0 yards per game on the ground over the past three games, led by Caleb Johnson and Ahmad Antoine. Turnovers were an issue for the Panthers in the first matchup and quarterback Trazon Connley will need to take his game to another level this weekend. 

Connely can make plays with his arm and legs, which could be the x-factor against the Rattlers. The Panthers can stretch the field with wide receiver Shemar Savage, who leads the SWAC in Yards Per Reception (22.4 YPC). Wide receivers Tre'jon Spiller and Brian Jenkins Jr. are two other offensive threats that the Panthers will need to create opportunities for this weekend. 

Florida A&M's offensive attack may receive plenty of attention, but it is the dominance of the defense that defines this team. The Rattlers finished the regular season as the No. 1 defense in the FCS (266.4 YPG Allowed) and ranked No. 2 in scoring defense (14.3 PPG Allowed). The defensive front has excelled in creating negative plays, led by defensive linemen Anthony Dunn Jr. and Gentle Hunt. The secondary only forced two interceptions over the first six games of the season, but the Rattlers totaled nine interceptions over the final five games. 

The biggest mismatch in this game will be the Florida A&M passing attack against the Prairie View A&M secondary. The Panthers allow 258.1 yards per game through the air, including 272 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Rattlers in the first matchup. Wide receivers Marcus Riley and Jah'Marae Sheread could be primed for massive games this weekend against the Panthers.

Prairie View A&M has improved over the last three games, but I do not think the Panthers will be able to stop the Rattlers on Saturday. I expect the Rattlers to make another statement on the way to the first SWAC Championship in school history.

Prediction: Florida A&M (31-10)

2023 FCS Football Central Freshman All-American Team