Alabama State football will play the most important game of its 2025 season in Week 10, taking the trip west to Blackshear Field in Texas to play SWAC West leaders Prairie View A&M. Strange to fathom the notion that Prairie View A&M is Alabama State’s critical opponent among a schedule that includes Jackson State, Florida A&M, Southern and FBS opponent UAB.
The Hornets ruled the 84th Magic City Classic, defeating Alabama A&M 56-13 on Oct. 25. The win improved Alabama State to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in the SWAC East.
Jackson State losing to Grambling State 26-24 shortly after the Magic City Classic concluded not only sweetened Alabama State’s fourth straight over Alabama A&M, it heightened the stakes against Prairie View A&M.
“I think Prairie View absolutely is important just because of where we are in the standings. We don’t have any margin for error,” Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. told the Montgomery Advertiser.
“We were fortunate that Jackson (State) lost the game. Hopefully, they’ll lose one more, but for us we know we have to win every game. So I think from that standpoint, our goals this year are still out in front of us, but it involves us winning every game.”
Why is Prairie View A&M a must-win for Alabama State football?
The Hornets faced a grueling start to the season, opening against UAB before a Week 2 matchup with reigning 2024 SWAC West champion Southern, followed by tough contests against Florida A&M and HBCU defending national champion Jackson State.
Prairie View A&M sits at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in SWAC play. After Week 10, Alabama State’s four remaining opponents have a combined record of 10-20. That’s not to say the Hornets can relax in the final four weeks of the regular season, but it’s no secret that Prairie View A&M and its SWAC-best defense is the last real test of the season for Alabama State.
Defeating Prairie View A&M would give Alabama State a chance to host the SWAC Conference Championship on Dec. 6 at ASU Stadium if it were to reach the title game. The host site is determined by conference record, but in case of a tie, head-to-head competition is the tiebreaker.
If Alabama State beats Prairie View A&M and both teams were to win out, both would only have one conference loss, but the Hornets would claim the head-to-head tiebreaker.
But that’s if Alabama State wins the SWAC East in the first place. There is a scenario that sees the Hornets win and miss the postseason.
What is the path to Alabama State winning the SWAC East?
The Hornets and Jackson State share the same overall record and conference record, but if the season ended today, it would be Jackson State representing the East at the SWAC title game.
Jackson State currently holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Alabama State because of its 38-34 win over the Hornets on Oct. 11. In order for the control of the East to shift over to Alabama State, the Hornets need Jackson State to drop at least one more game.
