Can the Rattlers end a challenging season with a win?

Florida A&M football season is coming to an end.

The Rattlers (6-5, 4-3 in SWAC) will host their season finale against the visiting Alabama A&M Bulldogs (6-5, 4-3 in SWAC) this Friday at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m . Friday is also Senior Day for the Ratters, as the program honors about 20 graduates.

Fans unable to attend the Southwestern Athletic Conference game can watch it on ESPN Plus or listen to the audio broadcast on the Rattlers Plus mobile app.

FAMU just won its fourth straight Florida Classic rivalry game, beating Bethune-Cookman 41-38 in a thriller last Saturday. Alabama A&M defeated Mississippi Valley State 49-35 on the same day to secure its third straight win.

The Rattlers and Bulldogs game was originally scheduled for September 28, but was postponed due to Hurricane Helene.

Let’s meet the teams and predict the winner of Friday’s makeup game.

Florida A&M vs. Alabama A&M: Tale of the Tape

records

• FAMU (6-5) – Last game: W, 41-38 vs. Bethune-Cookman

• Alabama A&M (6-5) – Last game: W, 49-35 at Mississippi Valley State

Head coach

• FAMU: James Colzie III (6-5/all at FAMU)

• Alabama A&M: Connell Maynor (105-62 overall, 40-31 at Alabama A&M)

Players to keep an eye on

• FAMU: Running back Thad Franklin Jr., linebacker Nay’Ron Jenkins

• Alabama A&M: Running back Donovan Eaglin, linebacker Cortez Andrews

Team historical awards

• FAMU: Won 17 national championships (16 Black College, one NCAA Division I-AA)

• Alabama A&M: One won the Black College Football National Championship

All-time series

Final matchup

Florida A&M vs. Alabama A&M: Get to know the teams

FAMU Football looks to celebrate its sixth straight season with a win over Alabama A&M.

The Rattlers returned to the win list with a win over Bethune-Cookman last week after suffering surprising losses at Prairie View A&M and to Mississippi Valley State.

FAMU looked rejuvenated in the Florida Classic, ending the jitters and recording 485 total offensive yards in the play-calling debut of co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Henry Burris.

The Rattlers’ victory fueled running back Thad Franklin Jr.’s 195 rushing yards, a Florida Classic record.

Alabama A&M is on the rise, winning three straight games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State and Mississippi Valley.

The Bulldogs boast the SWAC’s best offense, averaging 454.4 yards per game, and are second in league average with 31.8 points. Alabama A&M has scored 38 points or more in four of its seven SWAC games so far.

Alabama A&M running back Donovan Eaglin is the star of the Bulldogs offense, rushing 165 times for 897 yards and nine touchdowns.

Eaglin has rushed for over 100 yards five times this season. He had 14 carries for 105 yards against Mississippi Valley State.

Florida A&M vs. Alabama A&M: Who will win?

The Rattlers rarely lose at home.

FAMU had a 23-game home winning streak, formerly the second-longest active team in the Football Championship Subdivision, before losing to Mississippi Valley State two weeks ago at Bragg Stadium.

Alabama A&M has a good chance to win, but is holding on to a three-game winning streak and a 4-1 record in away games.

But the Rattlers will fight vehemently to ensure that doesn’t happen as they look to start a new home winning streak this Friday.

However, expect a shootout between the Rattlers and the Bulldogs.

Score Prediction: FAMU 48, Alabama A&M 38

BOLD PREDICTION: FAMU will have a special teams touchdown.

Florida A&M vs. Alabama A&M – Senior Day: Week 5 makeup game, SWAC

When: Friday, November 29th at 4 p.m

Where: Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium; Tallahassee, Florida

Transmitted: ESPN Plus, Rattlers Plus mobile application

Tickets: Buy here

Gerald Thomas III is a multi-award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers for the Tallahassee Democrat.

Follow his award-winning reporting at RattlerNews.com and contact him by email at [email protected] or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M Football vs. Alabama A&M: Who will win the SWAC makeup game?