BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2026 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish on Wednesday morning at SWAC Football Media Day as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Alabama State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the SWAC Eastern Division after totaling 131 points and receiving 16 of the 24 first-place votes.
 
Jackson State was picked to finish second with 122 points and seven first-place votes, setting the stage for what is expected to be another highly competitive race in the East.
 
The battle for the remaining positions in the division was equally close as Bethune-Cookman narrowly claimed third place with 71 points, edging Florida A&M by just one point. The Rattlers finished fourth with 70 points, while Alabama A&M garnered 66 points and the division's remaining first-place vote. Mississippi Valley State rounded out the East with 29 points.
 
Prairie View A&M was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the SWAC Western Division, collecting 130 points and 19 of the 24 first-place votes. Grambling State was selected second with 93 points and two first-place votes, while Alcorn State finished a close third with 90 points and one first-place vote.
 
Texas Southern was picked fourth with 79 points and received one first-place vote, followed by Southern in fifth with 65 points and one first-place vote. Arkansas-Pine Bluff completed the Western Division voting with 32 points.
 
The 2026 SWAC football season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 27, with teams opening their pursuit of division championships and a berth in the 2026 SWAC Football Championship Game.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
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