Teams Favorites In The SWAC By: Shahid Evans

Photo Credit; Mandela Jones/HBCU Sports

As the 2025-26 football season draws near in the SWAC, there are some teams that fans should keep an eye on:

1. Jackson State

2. Alabama State

3. Southern

4. Grambling State

Jackson State really made a name for themselves last season, dominating the SWAC with an overall record of 12-2. Taking the SWAC title and Celebration bowl. Then went on to having the best offense that averaged an impressive 37.3 points per game. Their defense also held its ground, ranking fourth in the FCS. Despite losing key players to the NFL, like running back Irv Mulligan, defensive back Robert McDaniel, and edge rusher Phillip Webb, Jackson State has welcomed 25 new recruits to bolster their squad. They’ll need to keep the fire burning and avoid getting too comfortable because their offense is undeniably explosive.

Alabama State is another team that could surprise us. They finished last season with a 7-5 record and boasted the top defense in the SWAC, even ranking among the top three across the FCS. They had five players participate in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in 2025, a testament to their talent. Their offense, averaging 22.7 points per game, ranked in the top six of the SWAC. To rise to the top, they’ll need to step up against teams like Jackson State and Florida A&M.

Southern had a solid run last season, finishing 8-5 and claiming the SWAC West championship title. With a top 10 offense that averaged 20.9 points per game and a strong defense ranked third in the conference, they showed they’re a force to be reckoned with. They had a tough loss to Jackson State in the SWAC championship game but have signed 27 new players who could make a big impact. For Southern to maintain their edge, they’ll need to be more disciplined, as they had 22 penalties last season.

Grambling State is the sleeper in the SWAC. Although they went 5-7 they shouldn’t be overlooked. Their offense ranked third in the SWAC with an average of 24.7 points per game, and their defense was also impressive, landing in the top four. However, closing out games has been a challenge; many of their losses came from narrow, one-possession games. With quarterback Myles Crawly moving on, it’ll be interesting to see how they adapt their fast-paced offense moving forward.

Overall, it’s shaping up to be a competitive season in the SWAC, and it should be very exciting to watch this season.