Prairie View A&M coach criticizes opening season with conference rivals

Prairie View A&M head coach Tremaine Jackson has criticized the practice of opening football seasons with conference rivalry games, calling the decision “asinine” and “crazy.”

For decades, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern have opened their seasons against one another in the Labor Day Classic. However, for the first time since 2018, the teams will not meet to begin the season. Jackson stated that while he understands the historical reasoning for the early matchup, the programs must move away from tradition to do what is best for both teams.

Instead of the traditional rivalry opener, Prairie View A&M will begin its season in Week Zero against Tarleton State. Jackson noted that this matchup provides an opportunity to face a top-five ranked FCS opponent on national television, an outcome he had envisioned when taking over the program.