October 18, 2025 | A.W. Mumford Stadium | Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The stage is set for one of the most tradition-rich rivalries in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as the Prairie View A&M Panthers travel to A.W. Mumford Stadium to face the Southern University Jaguars on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
Both programs enter the contest with something to prove — Prairie View A&M looking to stay in the SWAC West Division title hunt and Southern hoping to spoil their rivals’ momentum on homecoming weekend in Baton Rouge.
Matchup Overview and Betting Lines
Oddsmakers have installed Prairie View A&M as a 7-point favorite, with the over/under set at 46.5 total points. The Panthers also carry moneyline odds of -290, while the Jaguars sit at +235 to pull the upset.
According to Dimers.com, Prairie View enters the contest with a 76% chance of victory, while Southern has a 24% probability of defending its home turf. The projected final score has Prairie View taking a 28–19 win, a result that would keep the Panthers in strong position in the SWAC standings.
Prairie View A&M: Poised and Powerful
The Prairie View A&M Panthers (4–2, 2–1 SWAC) come into this game on the heels of a convincing conference win over Grambling State two weeks ago in the State Fair Classic. Head coach Bubba McDowell has his team playing efficient, physical football, anchored by a balanced offense and a defense that thrives on takeaways.
Offensively, the Panthers are led by quarterback Trazon Connley, whose dual-threat ability has been the cornerstone of the team’s success. Connley has accounted for over 1,400 total yards this season, combining mobility in the pocket with improving accuracy in the passing game. His connection with wide receiver Chris Johnson, who leads the team in receptions and touchdowns, has given Prairie View much-needed explosiveness downfield.
The running game remains the bread and butter for Prairie View. Senior tailback Ahmad Antoine continues to churn out yardage, averaging nearly 5.6 yards per carry behind one of the SWAC’s most consistent offensive lines. When the Panthers’ ground game gets rolling, they’re nearly unstoppable — boasting a 4–0 record this season when rushing for over 150 yards.
Defensively, Prairie View has been stout, allowing just 20.1 points per game, ranking third in the SWAC. The linebacker tandem of Darius Campbell and Tyler Henderson has anchored the front seven, while the secondary has quietly forced nine interceptions in six games. With momentum on their side, the Panthers will look to force Southern into passing situations and dictate the tempo early.
Southern University: Searching for Consistency
For Southern (2–4, 1–2 SWAC), this season has been defined by inconsistency on both sides of the ball. Head coach Eric Dooley, who previously led Prairie View from 2018–2021, now faces his former team for the third time — adding an extra layer of intrigue to Saturday’s matchup.
Offensively, the Jaguars are still finding their rhythm behind quarterback Harold Blood, who has flashed potential but struggled with turnovers. Blood has thrown for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns, but his eight interceptions have proven costly in close contests.
Southern’s offense will rely heavily on running back Karl Ligon, who leads the Jaguars with 482 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season. When Ligon finds lanes and the Jaguars control time of possession, they’re a far more dangerous team. Wide receiver Kendric Rhymes, a speedster capable of stretching the field, will be one to watch against Prairie View’s aggressive secondary.
Defensively, Southern has shown flashes of dominance, particularly against the run, but coverage lapses have plagued them in recent weeks. The Jaguars’ defensive front — led by Jason Dumas and Caleb Johnson — must disrupt Connley’s rhythm and contain the quarterback scramble game to keep things close.
Key Storylines to Watch
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Coach vs. Former Team: Eric Dooley’s familiarity with Prairie View’s personnel and tendencies adds an emotional edge. The Panthers, meanwhile, are motivated to show how far they’ve come since his departure.
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Battle in the Trenches: Prairie View’s offensive line, one of the SWAC’s best, will be tested by Southern’s pass rush. Whoever wins at the line of scrimmage could control the game.
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Turnover Margin: Prairie View leads the SWAC in turnover differential (+8). If Southern can’t protect the ball, it could be another long evening in Baton Rouge.
Prediction and Outlook
With both programs trending in different directions, Prairie View enters this matchup as the more balanced and disciplined team. Expect McDowell’s squad to lean on its running game, pressure the quarterback defensively, and capitalize on Southern’s mistakes.
Southern will compete hard in front of its home crowd, but Prairie View’s efficiency on both sides of the ball should carry the day.
Projected Final Score:
Prairie View A&M 28, Southern University 19
The Panthers stay in the thick of the SWAC West race, while Southern will need to regroup quickly to salvage its season.
Betting Pick: Prairie View -7
Best Prop Bet: Under 46.5 points – Expect a grind-it-out defensive battle.
