Can Tennessee State football avoid its longest losing streak in school history?

Tennessee State football will play its second game in a four-game road swing when the Tigers face Alabama A&M on Sept. 12 in the Legacy Series in Huntsville, Alabama. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT on SWAC.TV.

TSU (0-2) is seeking to avenge a 23-21 loss to Alabama A&M in 2025 when the Bulldogs rallied after trailing 21-13 in the third quarter in the inaugural Legacy Series game at Nissan Stadium.

Alabama A&M (1-1) is coming off a 38-23 win over Miles on Sept. 5 after losing to Howard 31-24 on Aug. 29.

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Here are three things to know:

TSU football trying to avoid longest losing streak in school history

Tennessee State must beat Alabama A&M to avoid setting the longest losing streak in history at eight games. The streak started in 2025 when the Tigers lost their last five games in coach Reggie Barlow's first season. TSU opened the 2026 season with back-to-back losses − 26-24 to Jackson State on Aug. 29 and 63-3 at Georgia on Sept. 5.

TSU has matched the program's longest losing streak at seven games. The Tigers also lost seven consecutive games over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the 1995 and 1996 seasons, and the 1961 and 1962 seasons.

The Tigers came close to snapping the streak against Jackson State. They botched a 37-yard field goal attempt with 41 seconds remaining that would have given them the lead.

TSU has played in front of huge crowds

Tennessee State played in front of the largest FCS crowds in the first two weeks of the season − at Georgia's Sanford Stadium (93,033) and vs. Jackson State at Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium (32,067).

Total attendance for the Tigers' first two games was 125,100, and another decent-sized crowd is expected at Alabama A&M. Attendance for the first game in the Legacy Series at Nissan Stadium in 2025 was 10,208.

TSU vs Alabama A&M: Who has the edge?

Tennessee State's offense, behind transfer quarterback Daylin Lee, was better against Jackson State than at any point in 2025. The defense was solid against the pass, but not the run.

Alabama A&M has struggled on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs are ranked ninth out of 12 SWAC teams in total offense (348.3 yards per game) and 10th in total defense (423.8 yards).

Alabama A&M's defense is better against the pass than the run, which could help the Bulldogs against Lee, who transferred from Winston-Salem State.

Lee has completed 34-of-60 passes for 327 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

TSU's rushing game has been abysmal. Lee is the leading rusher with 34 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. TSU is 110th in the FCS, averaging 49.5 rushing yards per game.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Can Tennessee State football avoid its longest losing streak in school history?