You know, there’s this specific kind of electricity that hits the air when the Tigers meet the Tigers. It doesn’t matter if they’re playing in a packed stadium in Mississippi or under the neon glow of the Las Vegas strip—when it’s Jackson State vs Grambling St, the stakes just feel heavier. Honestly, if you grew up watching SWAC football, you know this isn't just a game. It's a collision of two programs that basically built the foundation of HBCU athletics.
But lately, something has shifted.
The narrative around this rivalry has changed from "who has the better history" to "who can survive the chaos of the modern era." We saw it most recently on October 25, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium. Jackson State walked in ranked No. 11 in the FCS, looking like the juggernaut everyone expected them to be. Then, Grambling—a team many had written off as a middle-of-the-pack squad—decided to play spoiler.
The Vegas Heartbreak and the Josh McCormick Kick
Most people expected Jackson State to steamroll Grambling in that inaugural P&G Las Vegas HBCU Classic. And for a while, it looked like they would. JaCobian Morgan was slicing through the defense, and JSU jumped out to a 10-0 lead before some fans even found their seats. But then the weirdness of football took over. Morgan got hurt. Grambling’s C’Zavian Teasett started finding holes in the secondary.
Then came the moment that'll be talked about in Grambling lore for a decade.
With 21 seconds left, Josh McCormick stepped up for a 44-yard field goal. This kid hadn't even attempted a kick all night. The pressure was high enough to crack the stadium roof. He nailed it. Grambling 26, Jackson State 24. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement that the power dynamic in the SWAC isn't as lopsided as the media likes to pretend.
Why the "Eddie Robinson Era" Still Looms Over Everything
You can’t talk about Jackson State vs Grambling St without mentioning the ghosts of the past. For decades, Eddie Robinson made Grambling the gold standard. He was the guy who proved that an HBCU in a tiny Louisiana town could produce more NFL talent than the big-budget state schools.
But then came W.C. Gorden at Jackson State.
In the 1980s, Gorden did the unthinkable. He started beating Eddie Robinson consistently. He went 56-11 in the SWAC during that decade. That's a ridiculous stat. It turned a respectful rivalry into a bitter, decade-long turf war. JSU fans will tell you they were the kings of the 80s, while Grambling fans point to the 408 career wins Robinson stacked up. Both are right, which is why the arguments at the tailgates never actually end.
The All-Time Series: A Tightrope Walk
If you look at the raw numbers, the series is shockingly close. As of the start of 2026, Grambling holds a slight edge in recent matchups, having won the last two meetings (including that 41-20 thumping in 2024). But JSU has had their own runs, like the 66-24 blowout back in 2022 when they were the undisputed talk of the college football world.
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The swings are violent. One year, JSU is winning by 40; the next, Grambling is winning on a last-second kick. It’s inconsistent, messy, and beautiful.
Modern Misconceptions: It's Not Just About "The Shine"
There’s a common mistake people make when looking at Jackson State vs Grambling St today. They think JSU is all about the "new" flash and Grambling is just holding onto "old" tradition. That’s a lazy take.
Grambling has modernized fast. They’ve embraced the transfer portal and NIL just as aggressively as anyone else in the FCS. Meanwhile, Jackson State has had to prove they can maintain their elite status after the massive coaching shifts of the early 2020s.
Key Players Who Changed the Game
- Nate Rembert (WR, JSU): This guy is a human highlight reel. In the 2025 Vegas game, he caught four passes for 126 yards, including a 62-yard bomb that nearly saved the game for the Tigers.
- C’Zavian Teasett (QB, Grambling): Before he got carted off in the fourth quarter of the last matchup, he was surgical. He finished with 232 yards and two touchdowns, proving he could go toe-to-toe with a ranked defense.
- Donerio Davenport (RB, JSU): A bruiser. He put up 98 yards on just 11 carries in the most recent meeting. When JSU leans on the run, they’re almost impossible to stop.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
Looking ahead, the rivalry is in a fascinating spot. Grambling has the momentum of a two-game winning streak. JSU has the chip on their shoulder from being knocked out of the Top 10 by their biggest rival.
The 2026 meeting is already being circled on calendars across the South. Whether it's at the "Hole" (Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium) or back in Jackson at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the atmosphere is going to be suffocating.
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If you're planning on following the next chapter of Jackson State vs Grambling St, keep an eye on the quarterback depth. As we saw in 2025, the game often comes down to the backup's backup. JSU used three different quarterbacks in their last loss, and that lack of continuity was exactly what Grambling exploited.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the Trenches: JSU often has the edge in raw size on the line, but Grambling’s defensive schemes under their current staff have focused on "speed-to-power" transitions that negate that size.
- Neutral Sites Matter: Jackson State travels as well as any team in the country. If the game is at a neutral site, don't assume Grambling won't be facing a "home" crowd for JSU.
- The "Trap Game" Factor: Because both teams have massive targets on their backs, they often overlook the week prior. Check the injury report specifically for secondary players; both teams have moved toward a high-volume passing attack that tests depth.
Keep your eyes on the SWAC standings as the season progresses. This game usually determines who represents the division in the championship, making it the de facto most important game on the schedule every single year.