SWAC vs. FBS: Eight Opportunities to Make an Early Statement

I know, I know... It's way too early to be predicting these games. We haven't seen these teams take the field yet, and they haven't even started fall camp. But while we're all waiting for football to get here, here's my way-too-early prediction of how the SWAC stacks up against its FBS opponents this season. We'll revisit these in a few months and see how wrong (or right) I was.

The 2026 season opens with the Southwestern Athletic Conference facing another challenging slate of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents. While these games provide valuable exposure and financial guarantees, they also give SWAC programs an opportunity to earn signature victories on the national stage.

From South Florida to Northern California, eight SWAC teams will test themselves against FBS competition during the opening two weeks of the season. Every matchup presents a different challenge, but each also gives the conference another opportunity to prove it can compete with programs from the FBS ranks.

Week 1

Alcorn State at Southern Miss

September 5 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Prediction: Southern Miss 31, Alcorn State 17

Alcorn State opens the season with a short trip to Hattiesburg to face Sun Belt member Southern Miss. The Braves should be competitive early, but Southern Miss' depth and ability to wear teams down in the second half prove to be the difference. Alcorn leaves Hattiesburg with positives to build on despite the loss.

Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State

September 5 | Sacramento, California

Prediction: Sacramento State 41, Mississippi Valley State 10

Mississippi Valley State makes one of the longest road trips of any SWAC team this season, traveling across the country to face Sacramento State. The matchup gives the Delta Devils an opportunity to showcase the program on the West Coast while opening the season against a talented opponent. The lengthy trip and Sacramento State's athleticism create a difficult challenge. Valley flashes potential offensively but struggles to slow down the home team's attack.

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Week 2

Florida A&M at Miami

September 10 | Miami, Florida

Prediction: Miami 38, Florida A&M 20

Florida A&M heads into one of college football's most recognizable venues when the Rattlers visit the Miami Hurricanes. The in-state showdown provides FAMU another nationally visible opportunity to measure itself against an ACC power. The Rattlers have enough talent to make Miami work, but the Hurricanes' speed and depth eventually create separation. FAMU leaves with respect despite falling short.

Alabama State at Troy

September 12 | Troy, Alabama

Prediction: Troy 27, Alabama State 20

Alabama State remains within state lines for its FBS test against Troy. This has the potential to be one of the most competitive SWAC-FBS matchups of the opening weeks. The Hornets hang around into the fourth quarter before Troy puts together a game-clinching drive. Alabama State leaves encouraged after pushing one of the Sun Belt's most consistent programs.

Southern at Houston

September 12 | Houston, Texas

Prediction: Houston 34, Southern 16

Southern travels to face Houston in a matchup against a notable Big 12 opponent. The Jaguars will rely on their physical style in hopes of slowing Houston's offense. While the Cougars ultimately pull away, Southern gains valuable experience that should pay dividends during conference play.

Prairie View A&M at Baylor

September 12 | Waco, Texas

Prediction: Baylor 42, Prairie View A&M 13

Prairie View A&M heads to Waco for a meeting with Baylor. The Panthers face one of the Big 12's established programs in a game that offers a chance to compete on one of college football's biggest stages. Baylor's size, speed, and depth prove too much to overcome. Prairie View flashes offensive potential but struggles to sustain drives against the Bears' defense.

Grambling State at TCU

September 12 | Fort Worth, Texas

Prediction: TCU 35, Grambling State 17

Grambling State visits Fort Worth to take on TCU. Rich football tradition surrounds both programs, making this an intriguing matchup despite the difference in subdivision. Grambling competes with toughness and reaches the end zone twice, but TCU's offensive firepower proves too much over four quarters.

Texas Southern at UTEP

September 12 | El Paso, Texas

Prediction: UTEP 24, Texas Southern 21

Texas Southern closes out the SWAC's FBS slate with a trip to El Paso. The Tigers will look to build momentum before the heart of conference play, and this matchup feels like the conference's best opportunity for an early upset. UTEP survives with a late field goal, but Texas Southern shows it can go toe-to-toe with an FBS opponent for all 60 minutes.

The Bigger Picture

Opening the season against FBS competition has become a staple across the SWAC. Beyond the financial guarantees, these contests provide national exposure, strengthen résumés, and prepare teams for the physical demands of conference play.

While I don't have a SWAC team pulling off an upset this year, Texas Southern at UTEP and Alabama State at Troy stand out as the conference's best opportunities to change that narrative. Both games project to be competitive into the fourth quarter, and if the SWAC is going to notch an FBS victory during the opening two weeks, those are the matchups I'd be watching most closely.