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FAMU football vs Alabama State prediction, can Rattlers cool off Andrew Body in SWAC opener?
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- FAMU football vs Alabama State prediction, can Rattlers cool off Andrew Body in SWAC opener?
Florida A&M football is set to host a big-time bout versus Alabama State to open the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule this Saturday, Sept. 27.
The Week 5 game could be an early determining factor in the opponent's SWAC title hopes , as it will be the initial shift in the East division standings.
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The Rattlers (1-2) are returning from a bye week, last winning their home opener versus NCAA Division II team Albany State 33-25 on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Tallahassee. The Hornets (2-1) were also on a bye and last played their home opener two weeks ago when they beat Division II's Miles College 37-9 in Montgomery.
FAMU and Alabama State have an afternoon kickoff at 3 p.m. on the Rattlers' Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium. HBCU GO will televise the game, and fans can also listen to commentary through Tallahassee radio station 96.1 JAMZ.
Here's a scouting report and an official score prediction for the FAMU versus Alabama State game , which always fits the bill as a premier HBCU football matchup.
FAMU football offense vs Alabama State defense
The Rattlers' offensive attack is a work in progress, but it showed signs of life by posting a season-high 33 points versus Albany State two weeks ago.
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FAMU's passing game has the second-best yard average in the SWAC with 260.3, behind Alabama State's 263.2. The Rattlers are ranked 22nd out of 129 Football Championship Subdivision teams in passing offense.
The Rattlers have utilized two quarterbacks: starter RJ Johnson III and backup Jett Peddy . Johnson has shown his ability to make the big play, while Peddy has the skill to move the ball downfield.
Both played versus Albany State.
Johnson completed 17 passes on 22 attempts for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and was sacked three times. Peddy finished completing nine of 14 passes for 99 yards, but threw an interception that was tipped off the hands of FAMU wide receiver A'Ceon Cobb.
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Receiver drops have been an issue for the Rattlers .
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback RJ Johnson III (12) looks to pass. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
FAMU head coach James Colzie III hasn't announced a starting quarterback for the Alabama State game yet.
"Just getting a little bit more continuity with the passing game," Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. said on Monday, Sept. 22, during the SWAC football media availability.
"You're starting to figure out what you do well. So, [FAMU will] be more efficient this week."
Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jett Peddy (8) looks to pass to a teammate down the field. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
The FAMU offense will face an Alabama State defense that has been one of the best in the Football Championship Subdivision in recent years.
So far, Alabama State isn't near the top of FCS total defense in 2025, but it ranks fourth in the SWAC.
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Shining for Alabama State's defense is Jean-Louis Rhoody, a linebacker with 16 tackles, a tackle for loss, and three pass breakups.
"They've always been one of the best defenses in the conference. They're also showing that," Colzie said of Alabama State.
FAMU football defense vs Alabama State offense
Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body is making an early case to be the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year.
The Corpus Christi, Texas native has completed 48 of his 65 pass attempts for 761 yards, scored 10 touchdowns, and has thrown zero interceptions. Body is also dangerous when he extends plays with his legs, rushing 30 times for 195 yards, and a touchdown.
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He's fourth in the FCS in single-player total yards. Alabama State is 20th in FCS total offense.
"He does a great job spinning the football. Also, he does a great job of when stuff breaks down ― making plays happen with his feet," Colzie gave props to the Alabama State quarterback. "They're going to be led by their quarterback."
Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body (1) warms up before the Miles College game in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday September 13, 2025.
Body's top target is Jalen Jones , a 5-foot-9 receiver with 13 receptions for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow Alabama State pass catcher Ajai Harrell also has scored three touchdowns.
Alabama State also has a respectable rushing attack, ranking fourth in the SWAC and 50th in the nation. Hornets running back Jamarie Hostzclaw leads the team with 34 attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown.
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The Hornets runner runs behind offensive lineman Jeremiah Frazier and Cameron Smith, and Alabama State has a "much better chance at being successful as far as controlling and managing the game," when the ground game is clicking, Robinson said
"They're extremely balanced in what they do," Colzie explained. "They're going to run the football and throw the football. They get the ball to their athletes. Typical of a really, really good SWAC football team."
FAMU football vs Alabama State will be a good one
FAMU versus Alabama State is always an intense SWAC matchup.
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Since the Rattlers joined the SWAC in 2021, they have beaten the Hornets in all four meetings. In their most recent matchup, FAMU spoiled Alabama State's homecoming football game with a 28-13 triumph.
"Big game going down to Tallahassee to play against FAMU and Coach Colzie," Robinson said. "It's going to be a tough ball game."
Expect Saturday to be a close game as FAMU looks to turn around its 1-2 start while Alabama State aims to etch itself as the SWAC's top team.
Plays made down the wire and FAMU's homefield advantage at Bragg Memorial Stadium may play a role in the Saturday's Week 5 SWAC opener victor.
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"We have to go down there to a hostile environment and play with confidence, and realize that everything may not go as planned early in the game," Robinson said. "You've got to enjoy the strain and the competition going back and forth. As the game gets down into that third and fourth quarter, what team is going to execute at a high level? It's going to be a point where you have to make six, seven, or eight plays in a row to take control of the football game."
Gerald Thomas III Score Prediction: Alabama State 30, FAMU 21
Florida A&M (1-2) vs. Alabama State (2-1) ― SWAC
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When: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.
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Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
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TV/Radio: HBCU GO, 96.1 JAMZ
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
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Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M football prediction vs Alabama State in SWAC opener
