Story by
FAMU football approaching SWAC schedule: Here's the Rattlers' must-win, most important games
- Story by
- FAMU football approaching SWAC schedule: Here's the Rattlers' must-win, most important games
Florida A&M has reached the point of the football season it primarily plays for.
Next Saturday, the Rattlers (2-2) will open their Southwestern Athletic Conference slate at the Alabama State Hornets (1-2) in Montgomery.
Advertisement
FAMU and Alabama A&M's SWAC schedule will be one game behind due to their game, initially scheduled for Saturday, being postponed until Friday, Nov. 29 , in preparation for Hurricane Helene.
Florida A&M Rattlers head coach James Colzie III coaches the FAMU v South Carolina State game Thursday, August 31 2024.
FAMU football will play eight regular season SWAC games this season, with the entire conference looking to prevent the Rattlers from repeating as the league's champs.
The SWAC Championship game is on Dec. 7.
With a giant target on their back, here are some must-win and most important SWAC games for the Rattlers.
FAMU football travels to Alabama State's homecoming on Oct. 5
The Rattlers can make an excellent first impression in SWAC play against the Alabama State Hornets .
Advertisement
FAMU will face an Alabama State team celebrating its homecoming game when they meet in Week 6.
SWAC voters picked Alabama State to finish first in the East division . The Rattlers were voted second behind the Hornets.
However, Alabama State has faced injury woes with its two quarterbacks , Andrew Body and Jonah O'Brien . Both got sidelined in their 31-24 season-opening loss versus North Carolina Central at Sept. 1's Orange Blossom Classic.
Since the injuries, the Hornets have played freshmen quarterbacks James Hayes and Zach Sims in their 12-7 loss to Samford and 24-3 win over Miles College.
Advertisement
Alabama State has the top defense in the SWAC.
FAMU versus Alabama State is a game that may settle who the No. 1 team in the SWAC is.
FAMU football travels to Jackson State on Oct. 19
When traveling to the Jackson State Tigers , the Rattlers will be against a vehement crowd.
Jackson State's games at Veterans Memorial Stadium were the most attended amongst Football Championship Subdivision teams last season.
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) gets ready to run a play during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.
When FAMU comes to town on Oct. 19, it'll be its first time in Jackson since losing 22-17 off a Hail Mary during the 2014 season.
Jackson State has typically been a headache to FAMU since the Rattlers joined the SWAC in 2021. The Tigers defeated the Rattlers 7-6 in 2021 and 59-3 in 2022.
Advertisement
FAMU finally got over the hump in 2023, beating Jackson State 28-10 .
Jackson State possesses the SWAC's second-best defense. Tigers defensive lineman Joshua Nobles leads the SWAC with 4.5 sacks.
The Rattlers versus the Tigers could be prominent in who represents the East division in December's SWAC title game.
FAMU football hosts Texas Southern for homecoming game on Nov. 2
Florida A&M defensive linemen Allen Smith Jr. (left) and Makody Robertson celebrates a play against the Prairie View A&M Panthers at the Rattlers' homecoming football game at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Texas Southern hasn't looked like the Texas Southern of old this season.
Under first-year head coach Cris Dishman , Texas Southern opened its season by handily defeating crosstown rivals Prairie View A&M (27-9) for the first time since 2014. Texas Southern lost to Rice 69-7 and closely faltered to the FCS' 19th-ranked team, Lamar, 20-17.
Advertisement
FAMU scheduled Texas Southern for its homecoming football game on Nov. 2.
So, the Rattlers must remain focused and poised to avoid a homecoming upset.
FAMU football hosts make-up game versus Alabama A&M on Nov. 29
If FAMU finds itself in a jam, its regular season finale versus Alabama A&M could have postseason ramifications.
The Rattlers versus the Bulldogs game is rescheduled from this Saturday to a Friday contest on Nov. 29 at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Florida A&M Rattlers take on South Carolina State in first home game of the season Thursday, August 31 2024.
Alabama A&M has the SWAC's second-best offense on the heels of being the top rushing team in the league thus far.
FAMU must win this game ― especially if it finds itself knotted up in SWAC standings to qualify for the conference's title game.
Advertisement
Even if the Rattlers lead the SWAC, they must beat Alabama A&M to cruise into the SWAC Championship game on a high note the following week.
Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Football Schedule
Dec. 16, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; The championship trophy sits on display during the Cricket Celebration Bowl game between Florida A&M University and Howard University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FAMU defeated Howard 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
-
Oct. 5 at Alabama State, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
-
Oct. 19 at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN Network
-
Oct. 26 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN Network
-
Nov. 2 vs. Texas Southern (HOMECOMING), 4 p.m., ESPN+
-
Nov. 9 at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+
-
Nov. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m., HBCU GO
-
Nov. 23 vs. Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic, Orlando*, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Network
-
Nov. 29 vs. Alabama A&M, TIME TBA, ESPN+
-
Nov. 30: FCS Playoffs Begin
-
Dec. 7: SWAC Championship, LOCATION/TEAMS TBA, ESPN2
-
Dec. 14: Celebration Bowl, Atlanta*, TEAMS TBA, 12 p.m., ABC
BOLD = SWAC
* = Neutral Site
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
No one covers the Rattlers like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football has to win these games to be back-to-back SWAC champs
