BIRMINGHAM Ala. | Alabama State has been selected as the preseason favorite to capture the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division title, as announced by the conference.
The defending SWAC Eastern Division champions received 131 total points and 16 first-place votes in the league's annual preseason predicted order of finish, finishing ahead of Jackson State, which garnered 122 points and seven first-place votes.
Bethune-Cookman was selected third with 71 points, followed closely by Florida A&M with 70 points. Alabama A&M finished fifth with 66 points and one first-place vote, while Mississippi Valley State rounded out the division with 29 points.
On the western side of the conference, Prairie View A&M was voted the preseason favorite after collecting 130 points and 19 first-place votes. Grambling State was picked second with 93 points, followed by Alcorn State (90 points, one first-place vote), Texas Southern (79 points, one first-place vote), Southern (65 points, one first-place vote) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (32 points).
Alabama State enters the 2026 campaign following a historic 2025 season in which the Hornets captured the SWAC Eastern Division championship and earned the program's first appearance in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The Hornets return a talented roster as they look to defend their division crown and compete for the program's first SWAC Football Championship since 2011.
The Hornets will open the 2026 season on the road before returning to Montgomery for their home opener at ASU Stadium. Additional preseason honors and the conference's preseason all-conference teams will be announced during SWAC Football Media Day.
2026 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish
East Division
- Alabama State – 131 points (16 first-place votes)
- Jackson State – 122 (7)
- Bethune-Cookman – 71
- Florida A&M – 70
- Alabama A&M – 66 (1)
- Mississippi Valley State – 29
West Division
- Prairie View A&M – 130 points (19 first-place votes)
- Grambling State – 93 (2)
- Alcorn State – 90 (1)
- Texas Southern – 79 (1)
- Southern – 65 (1)
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 32
