Alabama State football picked to win SWAC Eastern Division
By GRAHAM DUNN
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 on Wednesday.
The defending SWAC Eastern Division co-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).
The Hornets return a talented roster as they to compete for the program's first SWAC Football Championship since 2011.
The Hornets will open the 2026 season on Aug. 29 on the road in Birmingham against Southern before returning to Montgomery for their home opener against Lane College at ASU Stadium. Additional preseason honors and the conference's preseason all-conference teams will be announced later.
SWAC 2O26 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