SWAC football rankings: Jackson State vs. Prairie View A&M in championship game
Here are the Clarion Ledger's Southwestern Athletic Conference football rankings entering Week 13:
1. Jackson State (10-1)
Jackson State successfully went undefeated in the SWAC during the regular season with a 24-10 win over Alcorn State. Shedeur Sanders was 28-of-39 for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Now, the Tigers will play Prairie View A&M in the SWAC Championship game on Dec. 4 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN2) in Jackson.
Last week's ranking: No. 1
2. Florida A&M (9-2)
Although FAMU is second in the rankings, playing in the East behind Jackson State made it hard for the Rattlers to play in the SWAC Championship game. However, after a 46-21 win over Bethune-Cookman in which three running backs scored a touchdown, Florida A&M heads to the FCS playoffs against Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN+).
Last week's ranking: No. 2
More: Deion Sanders is finalist for Eddie Robinson Award for FCS coach of the year
More: Shedeur Sanders pays tribute to 'dearest friend' with Young Dolph-themed cleats
More: Rapper Boosie Badazz says he's enrolling at Jackson State next semester
3. Prairie View A&M (7-3)
Prairie View A&M ended the regular season on a two-game losing streak, falling to No. 16 Texas A&M 52-3. However, Alcorn State's loss to Jackson State secured the West title for the Panthers and they'll play Jackson State for the conference championship.
Last week's ranking: No. 3
4. Alabama A&M (7-3)
Alabama A&M ended its season on a four-game win streak, with a 52-24 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Aqeel Glass was 26-of-33 for 450 yards with six touchdowns. Alabama A&M averaged 47 points per contest in the four wins. Glass threw 19 touchdowns and no interceptions during that run. Odieu Hilaire caught eight passes for 162 yards with a touchdown and Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim had seven receptions for 115 yards and two scores.
Last week's ranking: No. 4
5. Alcorn State (6-5)
Felix Harper completed 18-of-29 passes for 210 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the loss to Jackson State. The season has ended for the Braves.
Last week's ranking: No. 5
6. Southern (4-6)
Southern will end its season in the Bayou Classic against Grambling State in New Orleans. Southern is coming off an open week that allowed the Jaguars to study film on the Tigers in preparation for Saturday's finale.
Last week's ranking: No. 6
7. Alabama State (4-6)
The Hornets beat Texas Southern 24-21 to snap a four-game losing streak and remain undefeated at home. The win was the first in three tries for interim coach Travis Pearson, who took over as ASU coach after Donald Hill-Eley was fired following a loss to Alabama A&M on Oct. 30. The Hornets were led by Jacory Merritt, who ran for 106 yards on 14 carries, and freshman quarterback Joe Owens Jr. making his first start. Owens went 18-of-27 for 150 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown to Wallace Corker with 6:51 to play.
Last week's ranking: No. 7
8. Grambling State (3-7)
Even though the Tigers had the week off, it was eventful. The Tigers decided to part ways with coach Broderick Fobbs. Now, Grambling will travel to New Orleans for the Bayou Classic under linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Terrence Graves who will serve as the interim head coach for the season finale.
Last week's ranking: No. 8
More: Grambling State football coach search: Doug Williams, Eric Dooley, Marshall Faulk, Ray Lewis
More: Broderick Fobbs out as football coach at Grambling State
More: 4 things to know about Grambling State interim football coach Terrence Graves
9. Mississippi Valley State (3-7)
The Delta Devils will travel to Prairie View A&M for their final game of the season after an open week. MVSU is coming off a 44-31 win over Alabama State two weeks ago that saw Jalani Eason throw two touchdowns on 12-of-25 completions for 315 yards.
Last week's ranking: No. 9
10. Texas Southern (2-8)
Texas Southern lost another heartbreaker to Alabama State. Andrew Body completed 12-of-25 passes for 163 yards, one interception and one touchdown. The freshman proved that he can compete in the SWAC.
Last week's ranking: No. 10
11. Bethune-Cookman (2-9)
Bethune-Cookman's two-game win streak came to end in the loss to FAMU. Devin Black was 10-of-13 for 231 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Last week's ranking: No. 11
12. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-9)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff ended its season with a loss to Alabama A&M. Skyler Perry was 22-of-42 for 220 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Last week's ranking: No. 12
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: SWAC football: Jackson State vs. Prairie View A&M in championship game
