After coming back in the second half against Southern to win the Birmingham Classic, Alabama State (1-0) football turns its attention to Division II opponent Lane College in its home-opener. On paper, the odds favor the Hornets heavily. In their first game, Lane College couldn't get past a Division III opponent. So how does Alabama State view a game like this? "You have to prepare like a SWAC championship game, you know," Alabama State coach Eddie Robinson Jr. said during his weekly news conference Wednesday, Sept. 2. "The preparation is not based on the opponent, it's based on who you are as a person." ASU BESTS SOUTHERN: Alabama State football sprints past Southern to win Birmingham Classic ASU GOT PUNCHED IN THE MOUTH: Alabama State got punched in the mouth by Southern. How ASU punched back Robinson's message to the team was the Hornets can't get complacent. Even on a week with a Division II team coming to ASU Stadium on Saturday, Alabama State still has to be focused and Robinson said he will know if his team is by the first quarter. "The biggest opponent this week, I think, is ourselves," Robinson said. "If we go out there and play like Alabama State, we will be OK." After the Hornets struggled in the first half of their opener, Saturday is a prime opportunity for Alabama State to get right before their next FBS opponent, Troy. Originally, the Hornets were going to face South Carolina State this week before the Bulldogs opted to play in the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami against Florida A&M. A game like South Carolina State in Week 2 would've been a marquee matchup in FCS, considering both the Bulldogs and the Hornets have been No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in a number of HBCU football polls. It's something Robinson wouldn't mind seeing in the future when it comes to scheduling. "(Jason) Cable's always looking at other matchups," Robinson said. "I think it's good when we play FCS schools that are competitive in-conference or out." Robinson said the occasional Division II opponent isn't bad, but with games like Prairie View A&M and Tarleton State in Week 0, the Hornets are fine with shifting to the mindset of finding other FCS opponents to fill out the schedule over the Division II opponents.
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State football hoping to avoid complacency vs Lane College