The Jackson State football team found out how reporters covering the conference feel about its 2026 group at Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Days on Wednesday.
During the preseason extravaganza in Birmingham, Jackson State was picked to finish second in the SWAC East this fall. The vote is somewhat surprising as the Tigers have won back-to-back division titles, appearing in the SWAC championship game in both 2024 and 2025.
After the vote, Jackson State football’s official social media had a short response, insinuating the vote is nothing but billboard material.
Ok Bet. 📝 pic.twitter.com/rngwLiKZ6q
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) July 15, 2026
The Tigers, which went 9-3 with a 7-1 conference mark a season ago, were picked to finish behind Alabama State in the east. Alabama State had 131 total points, including 16 first-place votes, compared to Jackson State’s 122 total points and seven first-place votes.
Jackson State was followed by Bethune-Cookman (71 points), Florida A&M (70 points), Alabama A&M (66 points, one first-place vote), and Mississippi Valley State (29 points). Mississippi Valley State has finished last every season since 2012.
READ MORE: Jackson State lands 6 on preseason All-SWAC teams
Meanwhile, defending SWAC champion Prairie View A&M was picked to win the west division with 130 total points and 19 first-place votes. They were followed by Grambling State (93 points, two first-place votes), Alcorn State (90 points), Texas Southern (79 points), Southern (65 points), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (32 points).
Jackson State opens the 2026 season at Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic on Aug. 29. The Tigers are two years removed from winning the Cricket Celebration Bowl, widely considered the HBCU national championship.
