Southern’s Path to Bayou Classic Victory: 3 Keys to Defeat Grambling
Southern University faces Grambling State in the 52nd annual Bayou Classic on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will take place at the Caesars Superdome. Southern hopes to conclude a challenging season with a significant victory. Grambling, with a record of 7-4 (4-3 SWAC), will not underestimate Southern, which has struggled this season with a 1-10 (0-7 SWAC) record.
Historical Matchup Insights
Historically, the team with the better record has dominated this classic. The last instance where a team with a worse record won was in 2004 when Grambling triumphed. Southern’s last significant win was in 2002, when they defeated Grambling 48-24, finishing that season 6-6, while Grambling claimed the SWAC Championship with an 11-2 record.
Three Keys for Southern’s Victory
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Control the Line of Scrimmage
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Establish a Strong Running Game
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Quarterback Play and Game Management
Grambling boasts one of the most effective defenses in the SWAC, leading the conference with 31 sacks. Redshirt senior Warren Robinson, who has 8.5 sacks, and defensive lineman Bryce Cage, with five sacks and a team-high 11.5 tackles for loss, are key players. Southern’s offensive line must protect quarterback Ashton Strother, who has limited rushing stats.
Trey Holly, Southern’s standout running back, missed the last game due to minor injuries but is crucial to their offense. He is the sixth-leading rusher in the SWAC, with 808 yards. If he cannot play effectively, Barry Remo is ready to step up after accumulating 120 yards in his debut as a starter. Southern will need a robust ground game against Grambling, which ranks third in rushing defense, allowing 135.9 yards per game.
Both teams will likely rely on quarterbacks who joined their respective teams just before the season began. Grambling’s C’zavian Teasett has been sidelined since October with injuries. In his absence, freshman Hayden Benoit has started but struggled in recent games. Meanwhile, Southern’s Ashton Strother has been managing the offense, recently recording his best performance with 191 passing yards. Effective management from Southern’s quarterbacks will be critical against Grambling’s fierce defense.
Conclusion
As Southern prepares for the Bayou Classic, focusing on these three key areas will be essential for overcoming Grambling and turning their season around. The Jaguars must control the line of scrimmage, establish a productive running game, and ensure effective quarterback play to secure a much-needed victory.
