STWF Sports| DALLAS| September 21, 2026 — The pageantry, history and intensity of the State Fair Classic were on full display Monday morning as Prairie View A&M and Grambling State officially kicked off game week inside the Cotton Bowl’s Media Conference Center at Gate K.

City officials, representatives from the Dallas Sports Commission, State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber, athletic directors and both head coaches gathered at 11 a.m. on Sept. 21 to preview one of HBCU football’s most recognizable traditions.

With the 2026 State Fair Classic set for Saturday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. inside the historic Cotton Bowl, the message from both sidelines was clear: respect the tradition, respect the opponent and be ready for a physical SWAC battle.

Prairie View A&M head coach Tremaine Jackson made it clear that while fans will enjoy the full State Fair experience, the Panthers are focused on football.

Jackson praised Grambling State head coach Mickey Joseph and the tradition surrounding the Tigers’ program, pointing to Joseph’s coaching background and the national legacy attached to Grambling football.

“When you start talking about history, lineage, pageantry, NFL Hall of Famers, entertainers… all of those things are going to be on display when we put those helmets and pads on,” Jackson said.

While fans will be enjoying turkey legs, rides and the atmosphere surrounding Fair Park, Jackson emphasized that his staff’s attention remains on preparation, film study and execution.

For Prairie View A&M, the Classic is more than an event. It is a conference matchup with real implications and another opportunity to add to the program’s history on one of college football’s most recognizable stages.

Joseph Addresses Legacy and the New College Football Reality

Joseph brought a different perspective to the podium, blending personal history, HBCU pride and a direct assessment of the changing college football landscape.

Returning to a Classic he previously experienced as an assistant coach in 2014, Joseph reflected on his background as the son of a Vietnam veteran and military police officer before turning his attention to one of the biggest issues facing HBCU programs: player retention.

Joseph spoke candidly about the transfer portal and NIL, noting that HBCU programs must continue building financial support if they want to retain players who draw interest from larger programs.

“We have a problem with the transfer portal where they come get our kids,” Joseph said. “We can stop that if everybody just starts donating and gives us a two-million-dollar roster. We can hold onto them because these kids really don’t want to go.”

His comments added a modern layer to a press conference built around tradition. The State Fair Classic may be more than a century old, but both programs are navigating a college football environment that looks very different from even a few years ago.

Joseph also spoke about his friendship with Jackson, while making it clear that relationship takes a temporary pause once the game begins.

“We’re friends on this stage, but we’re going to put that aside for about two hours and go after each other,” Joseph said. “Somebody’s got to be the winner, somebody’s got to be the loser… but you’re not really losing because we’re involved in our young men’s lives.”

More Than Football

The Classic remains one of Dallas’ signature HBCU events because the weekend extends far beyond the scoreboard.

Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band and Prairie View A&M’s Marching Storm will once again take center stage at halftime, bringing another layer of tradition, sound and culture to the Cotton Bowl.

The championship belt, the bands, the State Fair atmosphere and generations of alumni all help make the matchup unique.

But once the ball is kicked Saturday night, the celebration gives way to competition.

Prairie View A&M and Grambling State will enter the Cotton Bowl carrying history on their shoulders, pride on the line and plenty of respect for the program standing across from them.

For a few hours Saturday night, friendship takes a back seat.

The rivalry takes over.