When The Bands Are More Competitive Than The Football Teams

The epic Grambling State and Prairie View rivalry was taken to absurd new heights last week, as each team's marching band attempted to disrupt the other team's offense. Seriously, this is the most exciting story on SWAC football in years.

Both schools' bands continued to play as the opposing team lined up on offense, despite repeated warnings from officials and—gasp—the public address announcer. Conference rules prohibit the bands from playing after a team breaks from the huddle, but who are they to cut "When The Saints Go Marching In" off in the middle of the song?

The schools received only a reprimand, but a second violation would ban the band for a game, and a third would suspend them for the rest of the season. Think that's not a strong deterrent for a fairly effective distraction? I've been to a Grambling game. Without the band, there's really no reason to go.

2 College Bands On Notice For Music At Wrong Times [AP]