How Jackson State football can make SWAC Championship win or lose vs Alcorn State

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Jackson State football is on the brink of winning its second-straight SWAC East division title and playing in the SWAC Championship game.

Before getting there, JSU (8-2, 6-1 SWAC) has one final game to play, a home matchup against Alcorn State (5-6, 4-3) at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Nov. 22 (2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+).

Regardless of whether the Tigers win, these are the possible scenarios for them winning the SWAC East title.

What happens if Jackson State beats Alcorn State?

If Jackson State beats Alcorn State, the Tigers will win the SWAC East division title. If Alabama State (8-2, 6-1) loses to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 22 then the Tigers will win the title outright. If both JSU and Alabama State finish 7-1 in SWAC play, JSU will win the title due to its head-to-head win over Alabama State.

What happens if Jackson State loses to Alcorn State?

If Jackson State loses to Alcorn State and Alabama State beats UAPB, Jackson State will fall to second in the SWAC East and will not play for a conference championship. If both JSU and Alabama State lose on Nov. 22, resulting in both having a 6-2 SWAC record, the Tigers will win the SWAC East because it won the head-to-head matchup.

Can any other teams tie for first in the SWAC East besides Jackson State and Alabama State?

Yes. If Jackson State and Alabama State lose on Nov. 22 and Florida A&M (5-5, 4-2) beats Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 22) and Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 29), all three teams will finish 6-2 in SWAC play.

However, since FAMU lost to JSU and Alabama State, it would be the first team eliminated from the three-team tie. From there, the division title would go to Jackson State because the Tigers beat the Hornets.

Where will the SWAC Championship game be if Jackson State advances?

If Jackson State wins the SWAC East, it will face Prairie View A&M (8-3, 6-1) – which clinched the SWAC West title on Nov. 15 – in the SWAC Championship game on Dec. 6.

If JSU beats Alcorn State and PVAMU loses to Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 22, JSU will host because it will have the better SWAC record. If PVAMU beats MVSU and JSU loses to Alcorn State en route to winning the SWAC East, the Panthers will host. If both teams finish with the same SWAC record, JSU will host due to the conference's tiebreaker policy.

It would take four tiebreakers to decide who hosts the championship game. JSU and PVAMU did not play each other. They’d have the same 5-1 record against common SWAC opponents, and they’d both be undefeated in their respective divisions.

The fourth tiebreaker, each team’s ranking in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll, would favor JSU, which is ranked No. 15. Prairie View received a vote in the latest poll but isn't ranked. In that case, JSU would host the SWAC Championship game at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Will Jackson State play in the Cricket Celebration Bowl?

If Jackson State wins the SWAC Championship game, it will face the winner of the MEAC in the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 13. The MEAC champion will be South Carolina State or Delaware State, and the winner will be decided by a regular season game between the two teams on Nov. 22.

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@gannett.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State football SWAC Championship scenarios vs Alcorn State

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos