Prairie View A&M head football coach Tremaine Jackson didn’t mince words when addressing the SWAC’s recent decision to eliminate games against non-NCAA opponents.
Jackson called the move overdue, saying the league is “five years behind” where it should be in scheduling philosophy. The SWAC announced it will now require its football programs to compete strictly against NCAA competition, a shift aimed at strengthening the conference’s national standing.
“For us to be a Division I conference, we need to play Division I people,” Jackson said during a post-spring practice press conference. “It just is what it is.”
Jackson tied the decision directly to the conference’s reputation, noting his frustration with national rankings that often place the SWAC near the bottom of the FCS. He believes scheduling has played a role in that perception.
“We want to always be reputable,” he said. “When I see rankings, and we’re 10th out of 13, I think we have something to do with that.”
Prairie View football 2026 schedule is a gauntlet
Prairie View A&M has already embraced that approach. Jackson pointed to the Panthers’ 2026 schedule, which features 12 Division I opponents, including an FBS matchup at Baylor and early-season games against top-ranked FCS programs Tarleton State and Stephen F. Austin.
“We’re not afraid,” he said. “If you want to be elite, you’ve got to play elite people.”
Complaining about schedule change is ‘loser’s mentality’
Jackson emphasized that competitive scheduling is both practical and necessary, highlighting regional opportunities such as regular matchups with FCS Houston Christian. He also dismissed concerns from critics who prefer less demanding schedules.
“Some people are going to complain about it,” Jackson said. “I think that’s a loser’s mentality.”
The coach also praised SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland for pushing the change, calling it a sign of a broader vision for the conference’s future.
“I was glad the commissioner did that,” Jackson said. “That shows where he’s going with the conference.”
