Bethune-Cookman at a Crossroads: Alabama State Showdown Holds the Key to the Season

Bethune-Cookman football is at a pivotal moment. At the start of the season, I felt the two most important games of the year would be:  1) the game against Mercer to determine how BCU stacked up against FCS playoff caliber programs; and 2) the first SWAC matchup against Alabama State as it sets the tone for conference play.  

Well we are here now. Today’s game against Alabama State is more than just another Saturday under the sun—it’s a fork in the road that could define this season and beyond. With a win, the Wildcats will sit atop the SWAC East despite the early season struggles.  But with a loss, the downward spiral accelerates, and the voices of doubt—already echoing through the stands—will only grow louder.

The scars of last week’s stunning 37-38 defeat to Division II Clark Atlanta  are still fresh. Losing to a lower-tier SIAC opponent left the fan base reeling, and understandably so. But before we allow despair to overtake us, let’s remember that Alabama State is no stranger to stumbling against SIAC foes themselves. Last season, they fell to Miles College 17-21 and Tuskegee has been a constant thorn in their side  going 4-4 with the Hornets over the past 8 seasons.

It is a reminder that anything can happen on any given Saturday.

A win today won’t just change the standings in the SWAC; it could change the narrative for Bethune-Cookman Football.  For a team that has struggled to gain momentum, today is the opportunity to breathe new life into this season. A victory today  would be a symbol of resilience, a statement that this team still has fight left. For a fan base that has had little to celebrate in recent years, it would be the jolt of hope we so desperately need.

Keys to Victory

1. Defensive Discipline– Bethune-Cookman’s defense must rebound from the alarming trend of allowing big plays. Alabama State is not a quick strike offense so the Wildcats cannot afford to give up scores based on missed assignments and/or alignment issues. 

2. Contain the Run– Alabama State’s offense thrives on establishing the ground game. The Wildcats’ front seven needs to plug gaps, force third-and-long situations, and limit explosive rushes. If they can slow down Alabama State’s run game, BCU has a chance to control the tempo.

3. Capitalize on Turnovers – In a game of this magnitude that is expected to be low scoring, turnover margin will likely be the difference. BCU needs to force mistakes, and more importantly, capitalize on them with points. Turnovers give the defense a rest and provide short fields for the offense to operate. For those same reasons, the Cats need to limit turnovers.

What a Win Would Mean

A win today would mean…well…EVERYTHING. It would show that Coach Woodie and his guys are capable of bouncing back from adversity and that they can compete within the SWAC. A victory puts BCU at the top of the SWAC East. The confidence boost alone would be immense for a squad that has been battered by  doubt.

Winning today means silencing the “boo birds” and showing the rest of the SWAC that Bethune-Cookman is still a program to be reckoned with.

But if the Wildcats fall short, the frustration will grow, and the climb back will become steeper. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Today is a chance for redemption; and in just a few hours, we will see “who will ascend to the top of the mountain”.