The Grambling State Tigers (5-5, 2-4 SWAC) take on the Alabama A&M Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3) on Thursday, Nov. 14. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPNU.
Grambling is coming off a tight 24-23 win over Alabama State last week, while Alabama A&M snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 52-24 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
There are no lines out as of writing, but Alabama A&M is projected as a favorite of 3 points in the contest with a total projected at 61.5.
Let's take a look at my Grambling State vs. Alabama A&M predictions and college football picks for Thursday, November 14.
Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Prediction
- Grambling State vs. Alabama A&M Pick: Alabama A&M -2
My Alabama A&M vs. Grambling State best bet is on the Bulldogs to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Odds
| Grambling State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 59 -110 / -110 | +105 |
| Alabama A&M Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 59 -110 / -110 | -125 |
- Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Spread: Grambling State +2 (-110) · Alabama A&M -2 (-110)
- Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Over/Under: 59 Points
- Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Moneyline: Grambling State +105 · Alabama A&M -125
Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Preview
Grambling State Tigers Betting Preview: Porous Defense & Poor Offense
Grambling State comes in off a 24-23 win over Alabama State last week with a somewhat misleading final score.
The Tigers were dominated most of the way in a game that saw them get outgained by 130 yards. Alabama State missed a short field goal in the final minutes that would have given the Hornets the lead.
The Tigers' ground game saw Keilon Elder rush for 104 yards and a touchdown. The defense, meanwhile, came up big, holding Alabama State to just three points in the second half.
Grambling State has had struggles on offense this year, as the Tigers are averaging just 26 points and 297.5 yards per game. The ground game is averaging 119 yards per game with a team average of 3.4 yards per carry.
Poor offensive line play has resulted in Grambling quarterbacks being sacked 22 times this year and quarterback pressures have caused plenty of drives to stall out.
Moreover, the Tigers are converting just 31% on third down this season and are a weaker unit in the red zone.
The Grambling defense has allowed 375 yards per game and 5.7 yards per play this season, as the Tigers' stop unit has not played well this season on the road.
Recent performances against Texas Southern and Bethune-Cookman look good but those are some of the worst offensive teams in the SWAC.
Alabama A&M Bulldogs Betting Preview: Finding Their Stride
Alabama A&M received a dominating performance from its offense last time out in a 52-24 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. That victory was no fluke, as the Bulldogs amassed 500 total yards while building a 35-17 halftime lead. The lead was extended to 49-17 after three quarters, and the Golden Lions never threatened to get back in it.
The running game shredded UAPB, as running back Donovan Eaglin ran for 148 yards and five touchdowns. As a team, the Bulldogs put up for 356 yards on the ground altogether.
The defense gave up some yards in the game but came up big in critical moments by forcing turnovers and stopping UAPB on downs inside the red zone in the first half.
Alabama A&M has the stronger offense in this matchup, and the Bulldogs rank in the top 25 in FCS with 456 yards per game on offense.
The ground game has really been strong with Eaglin and Ryan Morrow each averaging over five yards per carry on the season. The dual-threat abilities of quarterback Xavier Lankford will make it really tough on a Grambling State defense that's already a bottom-tier unit in FCS.
Since inserting Lankford in at quarterback, the Alabama A&M offense has been putting up yards and points in bunches. The offense has been hitting chunk plays both through the air and on the ground.
Keenan Hambrick has breakaway speed and can take the top off a defense at any time. I expect Hambrick to get loose in this one, as he's averaging 95 yards per contest over the last four games.
Alabama A&M has also been solid in the red zone. This is typically an area that SWAC teams struggle in, as the offenses are usually weaker and the field-goal unit is unreliable.
But Alabama A&M has had success this year, scoring touchdowns on 28-of-40 attempts inside the 20-yard line. The field goal operation has been solid as well, going 8-for-12 this year.
Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Pick & Prediction
I expect both of these teams to show up for this one in a prime-time spot here. I like how Alabama A&M has been playing of late since getting its quarterback situation solidified, and I would be willing to lay it here with the Bulldogs.
While there's not a ton of separation here between these two teams, there are marginal advantages on both sides for Alabama A&M. Their offense is slightly better than the Grambling defense, while their defense has played better in recent weeks and should lock down a poor Grambling offense.
This should be a fun SWAC contest but will likely mean more to Alabama A&M, as the game Grambling has circled is its season finale in the Bayou Classic.
Lay the points here with Alabama A&M.
Pick: Alabama A&M -2
Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Live: Start Time, TV Channel, How to Watch
| Location: | Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, AL |
| Date: | Thursday, Nov. 14 |
| Kickoff Time: | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPNU |
Grambling State vs Alabama A&M Weather
