Title hopes on line when Southern meets Grambling in 44th annual Bayou Classic

NEW ORLEANS -- The 44th annual Bayou Classic kicks off Saturday at 4 p.m. with way more than bragging rights on the line.

The winner of this year's game will head to the SWAC Championship to face Alcorn State for a shot to play the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in the Air Fore Reserve Celebration Bowl on Dec. 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

"The thing that's riding is the chance to play another week," Southern coach Dawson Odums said. "I think this year is a lot different from a year ago from the mindset of our football team. I think both teams understand you win, you move on. You lose you go home.



"There's no better time to be playing a game like that than in the Bayou Classic."

Grambling (9-1) won last year's matchup, 52-30, and went on to defeat Alcorn State and North Carolina Central to be named HBCU National Champions.

However, both coaches acknowledge a lot has changed since last year.

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