DALLAS – Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic. Historic Cotton Bowl. Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State.
 
As legendary boxing announcer Mills Lane would say – "Let's Get It On!"
 
After one of the most entertaining games in the history of this matchup one year ago, the Panthers (3-1 overall, 3-0 SWAC) and Tigers (2-1, 2-0) return to the scene Saturday for the 4 p.m. kickoff, both teams with Toyota SWAC Championship Game aspirations in this heavyweight matchup.
 
The radio broadcast on KPVU 91.3 FM will begin with the pregame show at 3:30 p.m.
 
A refresher from Sept. 26, 2015: 18 touchdowns scored, 56 first downs gained, 124 points scored and 1,136 yards total offense combined for the two teams as Prairie View A&M nearly overcame four three-touchdown deficits in a 70-54 defeat.
 
Last season, fans entering the Cotton Bowl didn't know what to expect from the teams in the fourth game of the season. The result – neither team lost a regular season game the rest of the season. The Panthers won six in a row, finishing one game behind the Tigers, who went on the SWAC Championship game. PVAMU has won nine consecutive conference games, second only to Grambling State's 11-game league winning streak.
 
Earlier Friday, the Panthers visited a local children's hospital, lifting spirits and spreading joy to the youngsters. PVAMU looks to provide that same feel-good result by the end of Saturday.
 
As October dawns, no one knows how Saturday's game will factor into the remaining division championship chase. However, if the first month of the season is any indication – with all five West division teams with a .500 league record or better, including three undefeated teams, one thing is for certain.
 
It will.
 
"These games are fun for the simple fact we will be in a great venue," said second-year Prairie View A&M head coach Willie Simmons. "The Cotton Bowl is one of the most historic venues in all of America. It's a great opportunity for our guys to play in front of 50,000 fans. This will be the second game this year in front of a huge crowd (96,000 at Texas A&M Sept. 10). It's always a great opportunity to play in a marquee game. Across the country, you see ESPN College Gameday saying this is the marquee game of the week.  If there was an FCS or Black College Game Day, there is no doubt they would be in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl for the biggest game in Black College Football this week."
 
The Panthers are coming off a 56-21 win at Mississippi Valley State last week, scoring touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams. Once returning to Prairie View early Sunday morning, the focused shifted to Grambling.
 
"I thought the guys came out with a lot of energy this week at practice," Simmons said. "Of course, the players understand the magnitude of the game. Like I told them earlier – if I have to get you juiced up for this one, there's something wrong. They were enthusiastic, and paid attention to detail, and hopefully those things can translate to the game on Saturday. We will need to play our best game to be able to come out on top."
 
With the almost certain ebbs and flows to occur Saturday between two explosive teams, the management of emotions will be just as important as focus and execution.
 
"Our constant message is every game is a big game," said Simmons. "From week to week, the biggest game you play is the one that's coming up. We have been taking that approach since we've been here. That's why we have been successful. Whether it's a team that the record doesn't reflect them being a good team, or a team with a good record, we go into every game feeling that we need to play our best, because that's our job, to play our very best."
 

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