X
Skip to content

Undefeated Rivals Battle in SWAC Showdown

Prairie View A&M Panthers at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions

The Prairie View A&M Panthers (2-0, 2-0 SWAC) take on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (3-0, 3-0 SWAC) in a Southwest Athletic Conference showdown on Saturday. Both teams are the only remaining undefeated teams in the SWAC West Division.

Saturday’s kickoff is at 4 p.m. ET at Simmons Bank Field in Pine Bluff, Ark. Looking at the college football odds, Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a one-point favorite in the battle for the top spot in the division.

Prairie View A&M Panthers at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions NCAAF pick
Mark Brown/Getty Images/AFP

What to Know – Prairie View A&M Panthers

The Panthers haven’t played a competitive game in over a month, with a handful of contests postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. Prairie View A&M took down Grambling, 17-10, in its last game on March 13.

Over its two spring games, Prairie View has averaged 18.5 points and 345.0 yards of total offense. The Panthers’ defense has allowed 14.5 points and held teams to 317.5 yards of offense per contest.

Prairie View utilizes a two-quarterback system, with freshman Trazon Connley (18-of-31, 233 yards, one touchdown, one interception) and senior Tyriek Starks (17-of-37, 222 yards, two interceptions) sharing the snaps. The Panthers throw for 227.5 yards per game.

The Panthers churn out 117.5 yards per game on the ground, led by junior running back Kristian Mosley. Mosley has carried the ball 29 times for 100 yards and one touchdown, including a 74-yard effort in their last outing against Grambling.

Sophomore wide receiver Chris Johnson (six receptions, 130 yards, one touchdown) and senior Travis O’Connor (11 receptions, 104 yards) have both surpassed the 100-yard mark this season. Johnson erupted against Grambling, hauling in three passes for 108 yards and the Panthers’ only receiving touchdown of the spring.

Storey Jackson is the star of the Panthers’ defense. The senior linebacker has created havoc all over the field this spring, accounting for 37 total stops, two sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble.

What to Know – Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions

Arkansas-Pine Bluff sits atop the division standings with two games left to play in the SWAC schedule. A win over the Panthers gives the Golden Lions a clear path to the division crown.

UAPB scores 35.0 points while racking up 394.7 yards per game. On defense, the Golden Lions hold opponents to 22.7 points and 347.3 yards of total offense per game.

The Golden Lions average 37 passing attempts and 273.7 yards through the air per game. Junior quarterback Skyler Perry has completed 63-of-109 passes for 804 yards, eight touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions. Perry can do it with his legs, too, adding 100 yards rushing with two scores.

If it isn’t Perry carrying the ball, UAPB has a pair of backs that share the workload of an offense that averaged 121.0 yards on the ground. Freshman running back Mattias Clark has carried the rock 41 times for 138 yards and one touchdown, while sophomore Omar Allen Jr. has chipped in 26 carries for 102 yards.

Four different receivers have scored touchdowns, and three have logged double-digit receptions over three games for the Golden Lions’ air attack. Leading the way is senior wide receiver Josh Wilkes with 16 receptions, 277 yards, and three touchdowns.

Ten defenders for the UAPB defense have 10 or more tackles. UAPB’s defense has forced eight turnovers in three games and has sacked the quarterback 11 times.

The Pick Is In

The showdown is going to be a close game between solid SWAC opponents. PVAMU will come in rested and ready to face someone other than its teammates.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff has the edge with better quarterback play and a solid defense. The game will be close at half, but the Golden Lions will pull away in the second half and win by 10, 38-28.

When making your college football picks, go with Arkansas-Pine Bluff to win and cover in this one. Get the latest NCAAF news before make your bets.

Did you find this article interesting?

Comments (0)