SWAC Showtime: 34 Games Set for ESPN Broadcasts in 2024 Football Season
Will this be the move to elevate HBCU football? The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 football schedule, featuring an impressive lineup of 34 games to be broadcast on ESPN's prestigious linear and digital platforms. This extensive coverage offers dedicated fans and football enthusiasts an exclusive front-row seat to the action, showcasing the talent and excitement of SWAC football.
Major Matchups on Major Networks
ABC will kick off the season with the Week 0 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, featuring Florida A&M against Norfolk State at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, the 2024 Celebration Bowl will be aired on ABC at 12 PM ET from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 14.
One of the highlights of the season is the Orange Blossom Classic, where North Carolina Central will face Alabama State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, at 3 PM ET on Sunday, Sept. 1. This highly anticipated showdown between Trei Oliver's team and Eddie Robinson Jr.'s squad, where QB Andrew Boday will be introduced, could potentially lead to a rematch in the Celebration Bowl.
Extensive ESPN Coverage
While a majority of the SWAC games are scheduled to air on ESPN+, several key matchups will be featured on ESPNU, including:
Prairie View A&M vs. UAPB (Oct. 11)
Grambling vs. Alabama A&M (Nov. 14)
Tuskegee vs. Alabama State (Nov. 28)
The 2024 Pepsi SWAC Football Championship will be broadcast on ESPN2, with kickoff set for 2 PM ET on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Classic Showdowns to Watch
The SWAC schedule features several classic matchups that are must-watch events for HBCU fans:
Labor Day Classic: Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M
State Fair Classic: Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling
Magic City Classic: Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M
Boombox Classic: Southern at Jackson State
Florida Classic: Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman
Key Broadcasts and Team Appearances
The 2024 SWAC football season will see several intriguing broadcasts:
Southern at Jackson State - Sept. 14
Alabama A&M at Florida A&M - Sept. 28
Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State (Dallas) - Sept. 28
Florida A&M at Alabama State - Oct. 5
Florida A&M at Jackson State - Oct. 19
Alabama State at Alabama A&M - Oct. 26
Alabama State at Alcorn - Nov. 2
Florida A&M at Prairie View A&M - Nov. 16
Prairie View at Alabama State - Nov. 23
Team Broadcast Frequency
Some teams will enjoy frequent ESPN broadcasts:
Alabama State: 9 games
Florida A&M: 9 games
Prairie View A&M: 8 games
Jackson State: 8 games
Southern: 7 games
Grambling State: 5 games
Alcorn State: 5 games
Alabama A&M: 4 games
Texas Southern: 3 games
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 2 games
Bethune-Cookman: 1 game
Notable Absence and Additional Coverage
From the SWAC schools, Mississippi Valley State will not have a game scheduled on ESPN's network. This comes as no surprise to many due to their challenging season last year, but it raises questions given their rich history of producing football greats like Jerry Rice.
Non-SWAC teams also getting coverage include:
Tuskegee: 1 game
Miles: 1 game
Texas A&M-Kingsville: 1 game
North Carolina Central: 1 game
Norfolk State: 1 game
Growing Recognition for HBCU Football
The comprehensive coverage of SWAC games on ESPN's platforms is a well-deserved recognition, putting HBCU football in the national spotlight. There is optimism that both the SWAC and MEAC will continue to grow in recognition, securing more televised games and greater opportunities to showcase the immense talent within these programs. This season promises to be an exciting time for fans and a significant step forward for HBCU football.
