Venue & Game Info
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Kickoff: 1:00 PM CT
Capacity: ~73,000 (indoor stadium, climate-controlled)
Weather Forecast (outside): Mild, ~64°F, partly cloudy, winds SE 6–8 mph, no precipitation (game indoors, so neutral conditions)
Broadcast: NBC Sports / ESPN+
Injury Report
Grambling Tigers: No major injuries reported; roster healthy entering rivalry week.
Southern Jaguars: QB Harold Blood (shoulder) questionable; RB Kendric Rhymes (ankle) probable.
Key Player Matchups
Quarterbacks:
Grambling: Julian Calvez – 1,985 yards, 14 TD, 6 INT
Southern: Harold Blood – 1,245 yards, 8 TD, 9 INT (questionable)
Running Backs:
Grambling: Chance Williams – 812 yards, 9 TD
Southern: Kendric Rhymes – 602 yards, 5 TD
Receivers:
Grambling: Lyndon Rash – 745 yards, 7 TD
Southern: Marcus Hayes – 488 yards, 3 TD
Defensive Leaders:
Grambling: Sundiata Anderson – 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Southern: Jordan Lewis – 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Recent Team Form
Grambling:
W vs Texas Southern (28-14)
W vs Alcorn State (31-24)
L vs Florida A&M (35-17)
W vs Prairie View A&M (27-20)
W vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff (41-10)
Southern:
L vs Jackson State (42-10)
L vs Prairie View A&M (31-14)
L vs Alcorn State (38-13)
L vs Florida A&M (45-7)
L vs Texas Southern (28-21)
Series History
The Bayou Classic began in 1974, played annually in New Orleans.
Grambling leads the all-time series 24–23.
Southern won in 2024 (34–17), but Grambling won in 2023 (30–26).
Rivalry is traditionally close, with several games decided by one score.
Betting Trends:
Grambling has covered in 4 of last 5 games.
Southern has failed to cover in 6 of last 7.
Bayou Classic games historically trend under due to defensive intensity.
Historical Betting Results
2024: Southern covered (+7.5), upset Grambling 34–17.
2023: Grambling covered (-3.5), won 30–26.
Last 10 Bayou Classics: Grambling 6–4 ATS.
Projected Score: Grambling 31 – Southern 14
Reasoning: Grambling’s balanced offense and strong defensive front should control the game. Southern’s offensive struggles (averaging just 16.2 PPG) make it difficult to keep pace. Rivalry energy may keep it close early, but Grambling’s depth and execution should prevail.
Game Odds
Grambling Tigers – 14.5
Southern Jaguars 48
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
