BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — A day after earning a league-best nine preseason all-conference selections, Alabama A&M added to the accolades as they were picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East Division as announced by the league in conjunction with the second day of the Spring 2021 Football Virtual Media Day on Thursday, January 14.
In the division, the Bulldogs trailed only seven consecutive time East Champion Alcorn State (93 points, 14 first place votes) as they tallied 77 points and four first place votes. Rival Alabama State came in third with 63 points and one first place vote, followed by Jackson State (60) with one first place vote and Mississippi Valley State (37).
On the other side of the league in the West Division, Southern came in as the favorite with 90 points and 14 first place votes with Grambling close behind with 86 points and four first place nods. Prairie View A&M (67) was third with the other two first place votes and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (46) and Texas Southern (31) rounded out the top five.
Alabama A&M enters the unique Spring 2021 season following a 7-5 campaign a year ago that saw them lead the league in air yards per game (305.2) and returns not only the most prolific passer in the SWAC in senior quarterback Aqeel Glass (St. Louis, Mo.), but many of the offensive weapons that made their offense so potent.
Playing a full season in the spring for the first time in program history, that journey will kick off at Louis Crews Stadium on Saturday, February 27 when they host Alcorn State in a battle of top teams in the SWAC East Division.
SPRING 2021 SWAC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
SWAC East Division
1. Alcorn State 93 (14)
2. Alabama A&M 77 (4)
3. Alabama State 63 (1)
4. Jackson State 60 (1)
5. Mississippi Valley State 37
SWAC West Division
1. Southern 90 (14)
2. Grambling State 86 (4)
3. Prairie View A&M 67 (2)
4. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 46
5. Texas Southern 31
(1st Place Votes)
