By Brandon Williams, CSN SWAC Attack Columnist

Barring an unforeseen set of circumstances that would become the genesis of the new show, “Law and Order: SWAC Unit,” the Prairie View Panthers will win the West Division.

It’s the East that has more clutter and chaos than a house the day after Christmas.

It’s a division that is on the course to a finish that would make World Wrestling Entertainment overlord Vince McMahon envious.

No development illustrates that more than the fact that Jackson State still has a chance to win the SWAC.

Yes, that Jackson State. The same one that was all but eulogized on this site (and others) a few weeks ago. The Tigers seemingly showed life in a win over Southern, but followed the brief burst of energy with listless defeats to Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas Southern. At 1-3, coach Rick Comegey’s team had every reason to begin chalking up 2009 as an lost season and begin looking ahead.

But…

*Jackson State overcame a 10-0 lead and defeated Mississippi Valley State last Saturday, while at the same time…

*Alabama State rediscovered this funny little patch of land called the “end zone” and shocked Alcorn State 24-17.

At 2-3 in conference play and armed with an Eleventh Hour reprieve, Jackson State heads into an open week with a wary eye on happenings in Houston, where Alcorn travels to take on Texas Southern.

A Braves loss would give JSU the boost they need heading into next Saturday’s tilt against Alabama State, which would help make the Nov. 21 season finale against Alcorn State a possible winner-take-all scenario for the Tigers.

Lest we forget, Alabama A&M (1-2) and even Alabama State (1-3) still hold remote possibilities to make November a month to remember in the East.

The fate of one will be decided this Saturday in what is essentially an elimination game for the loser, which leads us to our….

GAME OF THE WEEK

Alabama State (4-3, 1-3) at Alabama A&M (4-3, 1-2), 3:30 Eastern.
What to Watch For: Was last week an aberrition for Hornets quarterback Anthony Speight or was his 161-yard, two-touchdown performance in relief of struggling Chris Mitchell the wakeup call ASU’s lagging offense needs for the stretch run? Coach Reggie Barlow will find out as they face a Bulldogs pass defense that has allowed a conference-best 42.5 percent completion rate.

Who to Watch For: Playing in his final Magic City Classic, Alabama A&M running back Ulysses Banks – the SWAC’s leading rusher – looks for his fourth win in as many games against the Hornets. The contest has been a highlight reel for the Birmingham native, who ran a kickoff for a score in 2006 and followed up with a 132-yard day on the ground in 2007.

IN OTHER GAMES

Alcorn State (2-4, 2-2) at Texas Southern (2-4, 1-2), 3 p.m.
Braves QB Tim Buckley takes his air show to H-Town, where he’ll face a Tigers defense that has quietly improved from last season’s mess. TSU has allowed 350 yards per game, nearly 100 yards off the pace of 2008. Tigers coach Johnnie Cole is still waiting for his offense (nine total touchdowns) to catch up to his HOBO attack.

Mississippi Valley State (2-5, 1-4) at Grambling State (4-3, 3-1), 3:30 p.m.
West Division title hopes remain in focus for the Tigers, who have won two straight and come off an open week. Tigers running back Frank Warren is only 29 yards behind Banks for the conference rushing lead, but Warren has averaged 82 yards per game compared to Banks’ 101. Valley’s fleeting East hopes faded with the loss to Jackson State.

Southern (4-3, 1-2) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-2, 2-1), 3:30 p.m.
With the season all but over for the Jaguars, the only thing Pete Richardson’s team has to play for is making sure everyone else in the West sits at home with them. Act One of the “Spoiler Tour” comes against a Golden Lions squad that still has a game left against Prairie View. Josh Boudreux will get the start for A-PB as he comes off a three-TD effort (one rush) in last week’s win over Edward Waters.