2021 Bayou Classic: Rivalry game returns for epic showdown between two SWAC powerhouses

By Keion RussellNov 24, 2021, 8:41 AM EST

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The 2021 Bayou Classic returns to action on Saturday, November 27, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

The matchup features two rival opponents, the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State University Tigers. These two historic programs play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and have competed against each other dating back to 1932.

The Classic officially started in 1974 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. This was just the beginning of the notable year-round rivalry between the two programs. It is regarded as one of the best-known annual games and rivalries in HBCU football.

Key storylines to watch in the 2021 Bayou Classic

Southern (4-6) has won the last three matchups and currently leads the all-time series between Grambling 24-23, giving the Jaguars bragging rights for now, but the Tigers look to change that with a victory in this year’s Classic.

Both programs have had an underachieving season by their standards, but a win in this year’s Battle of the Bayou can swing the momentum for both programs headed into next season.

The Tigers currently hold a 3-7 record heading into Saturday’s matchup, as they look to leave it all out on the field and bring the trophy back home.

Grambling has also been faced with adversity over the past few weeks. On November 15, 2021, the Tigers announced the firing of their head football coach, Broderick Fobbs, right before the biggest game of the season. Linebacker’s coach and special teams coordinator Terrence Graves, will assume duties as interim coach headed into the Bayou Classic.

The defense will certainly be the team’s focus coming into this matchup, given the background of their new coach. The stingy Tigers defense is currently ranked fifth in the SWAC and will need to rise to the occasion to slow down the versatile Southern offense. The Tigers look to take away the Jaguars’ elite rushing attack, which leads the conference with 193.5 rush yards a game despite their 4-6 record.

GSU sophomore defensive end, Sundiata Anderson, discussed the importance of containing the strong run game of Southern in this year’s Bayou Classic.

“The goal is to be physical up front and win the line of scrimmage anytime we step on the field,” Anderson said. “With them leading the SWAC in rush yards per game, it is a must that we come out and do just that. We know they will try to establish the run early. It is our job to pay attention to detail and know our assignments to win the game.”

If the Tigers defensive line does not repeat its trend of shutting down the run as it has this entire season, it will prove difficult to keep the Jaguars from running all over them.

Moving on to the offensive side of the ball, it has been difficult to find any consistency all season long. The Tigers are currently ranked last in total offense but look to score points early and often heading into a hostile environment against their rival opponents.

With SU’s defense allowing 31 points per game, Grambling has a great opportunity to put up some of their biggest offensive numbers of the season

Donald Johnson III, a sophomore wide receiver for the G-Men, highlighted the importance of finishing drives and securing points on the board.

“Offensively, we just have to remain patient and take what the defense gives us,” Johnson said. “We know with the offensive talent we have on this team we can score points with anyone we are put up against. It’s just a matter of executing and not deviating away from the game plan.”

The Tigers look to continue to progress in practice as they prepare for the Jaguars with their new head coach. The Classic is set to be filled with tons of energy and excitement between these two fierce competitors.

How to Watch the 2021 Bayou Classic:

The 2021 Bayou Classic airs Saturday, November 27^th at 5 PM E.T. on NBCSN.

About the Author: Keion D. Russell is a senior at Grambling State University, from Phoenix, Arizona. He studies Sports Journalism with a minor in Business Management. You can follow him on social media at @keionrussell on Twitter and @royalruss on Instagram.

Michigan, Penn State, Purdue headline NBC Sports, Peacock’s early Big Ten schedule

By Emily IannaconiMay 31, 2023, 2:04 PM EDT

Big Ten Football is coming to NBC Sports and Peacock for the first time ever this upcoming season. This year’s coverage will feature Big Ten’s first weekly broadcast primetime games and nine Peacock-exclusive matchups. The NBC Sports Big Ten Football package will feature Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock, marking the first time ever that the Big Ten will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national network. There will also be nine games available exclusively on Peacock.

Big Ten opening week schedule

NBC Sports will debut its Big Ten Football package with two of college football’s top programs — Penn State and Michigan — on Sept. 2.

Exclusively on Peacock, at Noon ET, the reigning Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines will host East Carolina at “The Big House.”
On NBC and Peacock, at 7:30 p.m. ET, the reigning Rose Bowl champion Penn State Nittany Lions will host West Virginia at Beaver Stadium in the first meeting between the two teams since 1992.

Additional Big Ten Football games announced today

Saturday, Sept. 16th – Washington vs. Michigan State (5 p.m. on Peacock)

The Washington Huskies, who had the nation’s top passing offense in 2022 led by Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Penix Jr. visit the Michigan State Spartans, who finished 11-2 in 2021 and ranked among the country’s top 10 teams.

Saturday, Sept. 16th – Purdue vs. Syracuse (7:30 p.m., NBC and Peacock)

The Purdue Boilermakers, winners of the Big Ten West division last season, host the Syracuse Orange. These teams will face in a rematch of last season’s thriller, where the two combined for 42 points in the fourth quarter alone before the Orange squeaked out a three-point victory.

Saturday, Nov. 11th – Ohio State vs. Michigan State (7:30 p.m., NBC and Peacock)

The Ohio State Buckeyes, a College Football Playoff national semifinalist last season, host Michigan State.

Friday, Nov. 24th – Penn State vs. Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)

Penn State visit Michigan State in a Black Friday primetime matchup at Ford Field in Detroit.

Notre Dame games on NBC

NBC Sports’ primetime schedule also includes two of college football’s most-anticipated matchups. Ohio State will play at Notre Dame Sept. 23 and USC, the top team in the Pac 12 last season, will play at Notre Dame on Oct. 14. Both games will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football and primetime games announced to date:

Sat. Sept. 2	Noon	East Carolina at Michigan	Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2	7:30 p.m.	West Virginia at Penn State	NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 9	Noon	Delaware at Penn State	Peacock
Sat., Sept. 9	7:30 p.m.	Charlotte at Maryland	NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16	5:00 p.m.	Washington at Michigan State	Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16	7:30 p.m.	Syracuse at Purdue	NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23	7:30 p.m.	Ohio State at Notre Dame	NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14	7:30 p.m.	USC at Notre Dame	NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 11	7:30 p.m.	Michigan State at Ohio State	NBC, Peacock
Fri., Nov. 24	7:30 p.m.	Penn State at Michigan State (Ford Field)	NBC, Peacock

The remaining NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football games will be announced during the season.

Wisconsin college football history: Big Ten and national titles, stadium, 2023 season outlook and more

By Kyle LynchMay 11, 2023, 6:10 PM EDT

Winners of the inaugural Big Ten title in 1896, the Wisconsin Badgers enter a new era in 2023 with Luke Fickell taking over as head coach. Fickell takes over a team which finished last season with a losing conference record for the first time since 2008 and enters this year with a new quarterback under center.

Beginning this fall, NBC and Peacock will be the exclusive home of Big Ten Saturday Night, a primetime football game each weekend. Peacock will also serve as the exclusive home for eight additional Big Ten football games each season. Keep reading for a primer on all things Wisconsin and all things Big Ten ahead of the 2023 season.

How long has Wisconsin been in the Big Ten?

Wisconsin is one of the original members of the Big Ten, playing in the conference’s inaugural season in 1896. The Badgers won each of the first two conference titles, finishing first in the Big Ten in both 1896 and 1897.

Has Wisconsin ever won the Big Ten championship?

Wisconsin has won 14 Big Ten championships, including the inaugural title in the 1896 season. Their most recent Big Ten championship came in the 2012 season, which capped off three-straight conference titles for the Badgers from 2010 to 2012.

Has Wisconsin ever won the national championship?

No, Wisconsin has never won a national championship in football. In the 1962 season, Wisconsin finished second in both the AP and Coaches polls behind Southern Cal, who defeated Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl that season.

What is the name of Wisconsin’s stadium?

With a capacity of more than 80,000, Camp Randall Stadium serves as the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team. The land was originally used for training Wisconsin troops during the Civil War and is named after Wisconsin’s first wartime governor, Alexander W. Randall. Camp Randall is home to one of college football’s greatest traditions, with the crowd erupting with the playing of the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain.

Who is Wisconsin’s head coach?

After leading Cincinnati for the past six seasons, Luke Fickell is entering his first year as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. Fickell replaces Paul Chryst, who was fired last October and replaced by Jim Leonhard, who finished the year as interim head coach. Fickell went 57-18 over his six seasons in Cincinnati, including a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. He is no stranger to the Big Ten, playing at Ohio State in the 1990’s and spending 16 of his first 18 seasons in coaching on the Buckeyes’ staff, including one year as head coach (2011).

What is Wisconsin’s mascot?

Bucky Badger (full name Buckingham U. Badger) is the mascot for the Wisconsin Badgers. While the badger has been the university’s mascot since 1889, the first costumed Bucky did not make an appearance until 1949 and is known for wearing his signature red and white striped shirt.

What is Wisconsin’s 2023 season outlook?

The Luke Fickell era is beginning in Madison, with Fickell taking over a team that has won a bowl game in eight of the past nine seasons. Coming with Fickell is new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who spent the past four years in the same position at North Carolina. Longo is known for having a pass-heavy offense with the Tar Heels and will look to bring that to a Wisconsin program known for a ground-and-pound, run-heavy attack. Fickell and Longo brought in three new quarterbacks from the transfer portal to replace former starter Graham Mertz, who transferred to Florida. Redshirt senior Tanner Mordecai, who played at both Oklahoma and SMU, looks set to take over as the starting QB in Madison this year.

How to Watch Big Ten Football on NBC and Peacock

In August 2022, NBCUniversal and the Big Ten Conference today announced a landmark 7-year agreement for NBC and Peacock to become the exclusive home of Big Ten Saturday Night football, beginning in fall of 2023. Peacock will also serve as the exclusive home for eight additional Big Ten Football games each season.

NBC Sports/Peacock’s new agreement with college sports’ top conference will also feature dozens of men’s and women’s basketball games (including multiple games each year in the Men’s and Women’s Big Ten Tournaments), Olympic sports, golf and more, providing hundreds of hours of Big Ten content across Peacock.

What devices can I watch Peacock on?

Peacock is currently available on the Roku platform; Amazon FireTV and Fire tablets; Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices including Android™, Android TV™ devices, Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; Samsung Smart TVs; VIZIO SmartCast™ TVs; LG Smart TVs; Comcast’s entertainment platforms including Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and XClass TV; and Cox’s Contour and Contour Stream Player devices. To learn more about Peacock and how to sign up, visit PeacockTV.com.