buckwheat1911
Well-Known Member
If I had to pick one team right now for the 2026 SWAC Football Championship, I’d take Alabama State — but it’s a very close race.
My 2026 prediction: Alabama State Hornets
The preseason evidence points to a three-team battle:
The official SWAC preseason poll has Alabama State first in the East with 16 first-place votes, while Prairie View A&M is first in the West with 19 first-place votes.
Alabama State also has a major advantage at quarterback: Andrew Body was named the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Jackson State counters with Kam Sallis, the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The preseason evidence points to a three-team battle:
- Alabama State — my pick

- Prairie View A&M — defending SWAC champion
- Jackson State — my dark-horse championship pick
The official SWAC preseason poll has Alabama State first in the East with 16 first-place votes, while Prairie View A&M is first in the West with 19 first-place votes.
Alabama State also has a major advantage at quarterback: Andrew Body was named the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Jackson State counters with Kam Sallis, the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.