HBCU Legends

2023 SWAC Football Championship, How To Watch

A preview of the 2023 SWAC Football Championship game odds, players, coaches, and how to watch.

Kyle T. Mosley

The 2023 SWAC Football Championship between Prairie View A&M (6-5, 6-2 SWAC) and No. 5 Florida A&M (10-1, 8-0) is the penultimate HBCU football game ahead of the 2023 Celebration Bowl. of the year. Howard University awaits the winner for the right to claim the 2023 HBCU Football National Championship title.

Florida A&M is making its first SWAC Championship Game appearance, and Prairie View A&M is 1-1 in the event. In the 2021 championship game, the Panthers were defeated by Jackson State 27-10.

2023 SWAC Football Championship Game
2023 SWAC Football Championship Game; Credit: SWAC

BROADCAST

Saturday's kickoff at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, is set for 3 PM CT and will broadcast live on ESPN 2. HBCU football's dynamic duo of Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay "Sky" Walker (color analyst) will be on the call for the network.

FUBO TV: Click Here

ODDS & BETTING

Las Vegas has the Panthers as a 17.5-point underdog to the Rattlers, with the over/under at 48.5 points. The betting money line on Prairie View A&M is +600, and Rattlers -1205.

THE TEAMS & COACHES

Coaches

  • Willie Simmons - Florida A&M (33-12, 26-5 FAMU)

Willie Simmons was named the 18th full-time head football coach of the Florida A&M storied program on December 12, 2017. Simmons enters his sixth season (33-12, 26-5) in 2023. Coach Simmons is considered one of the collegiate game's most creative and innovative offensive minds.

  • Bubba McDowell - Prairie View A&M (12-10 PVAMU)

Bubba McDowell is in his second season as the head football coach of the Panthers. McDowell was named the head football coach of PVAMU on January 4, 2022. The former NFL defensive standout is in his 12th season as a part of the Prairie View A&M coaching staff, including four seasons as an assistant head coach. He also coached the Panther cornerbacks in the last three seasons. In his first season, McDowell led the Panthers to a back-to-back Western Division Title, although PVAMU was tied with the Southern Jaguars, who had the same conference record sharing the 2022 title.

Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Jackson State Tigers during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY SportsPanthers QB Trazon Connerly scores TD versus Alabama State on Sept. 24, 2022.ย  Credit: PV Athletics
Trazon Connerly
Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Jackson State Tigers during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY SportsPanthers QB Trazon Connerly scores TD versus Alabama State on Sept. 24, 2022.ย  Credit: PV Athletics

Players to Watch

  • Prairie View: QB Trazon Connely, RB Ahmad Antoine, MLB Keyshawn Johnson, WR Jaquan Bloomfield
  • Florida A&M: QB Jeremy Moussa, RB Kelvin Dean, WR Jah'Marae Sheread, MLB Isaiah Major, CB Kendall Bohler

Uniforms

The Florida A&M Rattlers will wear white helmets and pants, with the infamous FAMU orange jerseys. On the other sideline, the Prairie View A&M Panthers will don white jerseys and purple pants.

Florida A&M defensive linemen Allen Smith Jr. (left) and Makody Robertson celebrates a play against the Prairie View A&M Panthers at the Rattlers' homecoming football game at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, October 28, 2023

Prediction

The 45-7 loss Prairie View suffered earlier in the year suggests the contest will be one-sided. However, if the Panthers keep the game close into the fourth quarter, they may have a chance at the upset.ย ย 

However, Willie "Shotgun" Simmons has brilliant offensive mind, and the Rattlers possess the talent, crowd, band, and motivation to be crowned the 2023 SWAC Football Champions.ย  2023 very well may be the Year of the Rattler!

Florida A&M 38, Prairie View 34

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.ย  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.ย  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:ย  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),ย  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),ย College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance:ย Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:ย ย Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean 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), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), 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.ย  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

Home/Football