Just the facts! Florida A&M vs. Grambling State gameday preview
Game Information
Who: Florida A&M (4-2, 2-1 SWAC) at Grambling State (1-5, 0-3 SWAC)
When: Saturday, at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium; Grambling, Louisiana
Broadcast/Radio: HBCU GO, Rattler Sports Network
The basics
Black college football powerhouses, Florida A&M (4-2, 2-1 SWAC) and Grambling State (1-5, 0-3 SWAC), will meet in Week 7 for its 17th matchup at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
FAMU is coming off a 20-14 win over South Carolina State and riding a five-game winning streak. Grambling State lost 37-31 last week in double overtime to Alabama A&M.
The Rattlers will be on the road for their second consecutive game, as the Tigers play their home opener.
"(Grambling) is a team that's very multiple in how they attack you," FAMU coach Willie Simmons said. "We have to be very sound and disciplined to adjust to what we're going to see.
The FAMU-Grambling history dates back to 1955, as the Tigers lead the all-time head-to-head battle 10-6.
Last season, the Rattlers prevailed over the Tigers, 26-3, in FAMU's 2021 homecoming game.
MORE RATTLERNEWS COVERAGE
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► How to win: Three keys to victory for FAMU football to extend season's five-game streak at Grambling State
Be prepared for the unknown
Hue Jackson is in as Grambling State's head coach.
A new coach means a new system.
The Tigers are struggling through the halfway point of the season. Part of that goes to not being able to secure a permanent starting quarterback.
Grambling State quarterbacks Quaterius Hawkins, Julian Calvez and Chance Amie have all gotten significant snaps this season. All three played against Alabama A&M in Week 6.
"That's really odd," FAMU cornerback BJ Bohler said. "We're really going to try to pinpoint those guys to see who are the throwers and the runners.
"It can be a bit challenging to figure out three of them, but it makes it a bit easier to know their tendencies."
Grambling State's defense is third-to-last in the SWAC for rushing yards allowed per game (217.8). FAMU is last in the conference in yards (494) and average on the ground (82.3).
The Rattlers will use Saturday as a golden ticket to attempt to awaken their rushing attack to be a multidimensional offense.
FAMU running back Terrell Jennings is questionable to play after taking a hit against South Carolina State, but Jaylen McCloud, A.J. Davis and De'Andre Francis are all good to go.
"I think that we've been doing a better job of running the ball. We just got to stay on it and trust the process," FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa said. "Being able to run the ball and getting people in the box to get one-on-one matchups outside to be able to throw the ball is what offensive football is predicated on.
"I think everybody knows we're a deadly passing attack when we're playing how we're supposed to be."
Who wins? Why?
FAMU is rolling right now. And Grambling is not.
But Grambling's double-overtime loss to Alabama A&M was a step in the right direction. Pair that with the hype of a home opener, and the Tigers may be able to put up a fight against the Rattlers.
But inconsistencies in who is throwing passes for Grambling will prove to hurt the Tigers against FAMU.
The Dark Cloud Defense will continue its dominance against the SWAC West opponent Grambling State. The running backs may also surpass 100 yards for the third time out of six games this season.
Expect FAMU to return to Tallahassee with five straight wins.
Final Score: FAMU 27, Grambling State 7
Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gameday Preview: FAMU football goes to Grambling to extend winning streak
