The SWAC has spoken, and the league’s head coaches and sports information directors see two clear
favorites entering the 2026 season.
East Division: Alabama State Edges Jackson State
Alabama State was tabbed the preseason favorite to win the SWAC East, collecting 131 total points
and 16 first-place votes, according to River Region Sports. Jackson State finished a close second with
122 points and seven first-place votes — a tight margin that reflects how competitive the East has
become. The two finished the 2025 regular season tied in the division, but Jackson State claimed the
East title on the strength of its head-to-head win over Alabama State and represented the division in
the SWAC Championship Game, where the Tigers fell to Prairie View A&M.
Bethune-Cookman was picked third with 71 points, narrowly ahead of Florida A&M; at 70. Alabama
A&M, rounded out the middle of the pack at 66 points with one first-place vote, while Mississippi Valley
State was projected sixth with 29 points.
The Hornets’ preseason buzz centers on quarterback Andrew Body, who returned from injury last
season to help fuel one of Alabama State’s best campaigns in recent memory before being sidelined
again late in the year, according to ClutchPoints’ coverage of the poll. Alabama State finished 10-2 in
2025 and narrowly missed the SWAC Championship Game after falling to Jackson State on October 11.
HBCU Sports’ preseason breakdown notes that with Body back and Tony Hull now running the
offense, the Hornets have enough firepower to push Jackson State into a late-season fight — if Body
can stay healthy.
Jackson State enters the year with a case of its own. Head coach T.C. Taylor brings a deeper staff and
a program that’s already proven it can win the division, per HBCU Sports. The Tigers are the reigning
East champions and remain the team to beat until someone knocks them off.
Keep an eye on Bethune-Cookman as a potential spoiler. The Wildcats made a real jump in 2025 to
finish third in the East and return six preseason All-SWAC selections, according to HBCU Sports’
analysis.
West Division: Prairie View A&M Looks to Repeat
Prairie View A&M; was the runaway preseason pick in the West, hauling in 130 points and 19
first-place votes, per River Region Sports. The Panthers are coming off a breakthrough 2025 season —
they captured the SWAC West title, upset defending conference champion Jackson State in the SWAC
Championship Game for the program’s first conference title since 2009, and advanced to the Cricket
Celebration Bowl before falling to South Carolina State in four overtimes after leading 21-0 at halftime,
according to ClutchPoints.
Grambling State was picked second at 93 points as Mickey Joseph enters another season leading the
Tigers. Alcorn State followed at 90 points with one first-place vote, then Texas Southern at 79 points
with a first-place vote of its own. Marshall Faulk’s Southern squad, in the Hall of Famer’s first season as
head coach, was projected fifth, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff rounding out the division.
HBCU Sports’ preseason analysis pegs Prairie View A&M; as the team best equipped to hold the West,
pointing to a roster strengthened significantly through the transfer portal — a credit to the culture
Tremaine Jackson built in his first season leading the Panthers.
Preseason Individual Honors
Alabama State’s Andrew Body was named SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while
Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman and Alcorn State each placed six players on the preseason
All-SWAC teams, tying for second-most in the conference, according to the league’s official
announcement.
The 2026 SWAC football season kicks off Thursday, August 27.