Alabama State football faces Troy this Saturday in a matchup that carries significance beyond the two teams competing, according to head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. The Hornets, who enter the game undefeated at 2-0, will take on the FBS opponent at Veterans Memorial Stadium in what Robinson describes as an opportunity to showcase the strength of HBCU football and the Southwestern Athletic Conference on a national stage.
Robinson’s perspective stems from the challenging performance HBCUs have displayed against FBS competition in 2026. Through nine matchups between Division I HBCU programs and FBS teams this season, HBCU squads have failed to secure a victory, being outscored 496-34 overall. SWAC teams specifically have participated in four of those contests, being outscored 228-23. The conference has acknowledged these struggles and plans to implement stricter non-conference scheduling requirements beginning in 2027.
Alabama State has never defeated an FBS opponent in program history, though the team came close last season with a 52-42 loss to UAB featuring an impressive 431-yard performance by quarterback Andrew Body. Robinson emphasized his confidence heading into Saturday’s contest, stating that no one within the organization expects anything less than a victory. The last SWAC team to defeat an FBS opponent was Grambling State in 1985, making Saturday’s potential win historically significant for the conference.
Robinson stressed that this game represents more than just the Hornets’ pursuit of a win. “We’re doing this for the city of Montgomery and HBCU football alike,” he said, highlighting how the nationally televised matchup provides the SWAC an opportunity to demonstrate its competitive strength.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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