May the season already be over earlier than convention play begins?
That’s the query Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Morgan State, Mississippi Valley State, and Texas Southern may face after beginning 0-3. Whereas being winless just isn’t a good end result, there may be nonetheless lots of soccer left to play.
However do these groups have sufficient time — and expertise — to make a run?
Contained in the 0-3 begin
Every workforce has confronted a brutal opening schedule, and 0-3 marks replicate powerful non-conference matchups in opposition to FBS or high-caliber FCS opponents greater than an absence of postseason potential.
Nonetheless, there are some positives throughout the group. Amongst them are:
Alcorn State options returning All-SWAC operating again Jacorian Sewell and switch quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, who beforehand performed within the Celebration Bowl for Howard.
Bethune-Cookman understandably struggled in opposition to Florida Worldwide and Miami, however posted 503 yards of complete offense in a 55-41 loss to MEAC champion South Carolina State every week in the past. How the Wildcats can navigate what shall be a troublesome SWAC East slate might decide the place B-CU has actually improved.
Morgan State can all the time depend on its sturdy defensive core, however the workforce has frustratingly been unable to generate constant offense over the past 4 years. A number of 20-point performances versus Towson and South Alabama present hope that manufacturing may bounce as soon as MEAC play begins.
Mississippi Valley State continues to rebuild, and first-year head coach Terrell Buckley described the work wanted to rework the Delta Devils as “eye-opening.” Giving SWAC West favourite Southern a scare within the season opener could possibly be (seemingly not, although) a prelude to MVSU’s potential to at the least get out of the SWAC East basement.
Texas Southern coach Cris Dishman isn’t proud of how the Tigers have performed. After successful 4 video games a yr in the past (one thing they hadn’t executed in a number of years), the second-year coach senses the group has taken a step again—at the least in non-conference play.
Which 0-3 HBCU workforce can realistically make a run?
Alcorn State Braves possess the most effective odds to show their season round and compete within the 2025 Celebration Bowl. Regardless of a winless begin, their returning expertise and the relative openness of the SWAC West give them a slight edge over the opposite groups which have but to win a sport.
The Braves have been preseason picks to contend in SWAC West final yr and retain a lot of that core, together with Sewell, who’s wholesome and productive.
Tolbert’s expertise as a previous Celebration Bowl participant brings a confirmed winner’s mentality, which is uncommon amongst HBCU QBs on this checklist.
In contrast to Bethune or Morgan State, Alcorn’s schedule is extra favorable relative to their expertise and opponents.
Projected convention win-loss information
Crew
Convention
Projected Convention Report
Alcorn State
SWAC West
6-2 (best-case), 3-5 (worst-case)
Bethune-Cookman
SWAC East
2-6 (real looking)
Morgan State
MEAC
3-3 (best-case), 2-4 (seemingly)
Mississippi Valley St.
SWAC East
1-7 (real looking)
Texas Southern
SWAC West
2-6 (real looking)
