The Southwestern Athletic Conference was a week ahead of the rest of college football in making Week 6 its upset week. Week 7 resembled more of what you’d expect as the power rankings slowly work their way back to a sense of normalcy.

Jackson State is once again on top, and Alabama State found its way back in the victory column, as well. Here are The Advocate’s SWAC Week 8 football power rankings.

1. Jackson State

Record: 6-1, 3-1

Previous ranking: 2

Last week: 27-17 vs. Florida A&M

This week: 12 p.m., Saturday at Bethune-Cookman

Extra points: The Tigers started Caron Tyler at quarterback before going back to Jared Lockhart, the regular starter. Lockhart is working his way back from a back injury, and finished Jackson State’s homecoming win by completing 13 of 24 passes for 98 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Next up is a road trip to Florida to face Bethune-Cookman.

2. Alabama A&M

Record: 6-2, 3-1

Previous ranking: 3

Last week: 61-31 win vs. Grambling

This week: Bye

Extra points: The Bulldogs return to the top two in the rankings after a dominant victory over one-time No. 1 Grambling. Alabama A&M’s dominant effort was led by SWAC Offensive Player of the Week Cornelious Brown IV and conference Newcomer of the Week Jaylan Bean. The group heads into a bye week before going to Birmingham to face rival Alabama State at the Magic City Classic on Halloween.

3. Grambling

Record: 4-3, 2-2

Previous ranking: 1

Last week: 61-31 loss at Alabama A&M

This week: Bye

Extra points: The Tigers suffered what coach Mickey Joseph described as an “embarrassing” loss to Alabama A&M, and now the team looks to recover in the bye week. Joseph described the recent stretch of the schedule as humbling. After the bye week, Grambling State returns to the field to take on Texas Southern, who they’ve lost to in the last two meetings.

4. Bethune-Cookman

Record: 4-3, 2-1

Previous ranking: 5

Last week: 34-14 win at Mississippi Valley State

This week: 12 p.m., Saturday vs. Jackson State

Extra points: The Wildcats spoiled the Delta Devils’ homecoming as safety Jaden Davis pulled down three interceptions to go with one fumble recovery for a touchdown, one tackle for a loss and one sack. Davis’ career day earned him SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Bethune-Cookman continues conference play for the rest of the season, starting with Jackson State this week.

5. Alabama State

Record: 4-3, 2-2

Previous ranking: 7

Last week: 21-15 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

This week: Bye

Extra points: The Hornets got back to winning on the road against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Starting quarterback Andrew Body is still out with a left wrist injury, and coach Eddie Robinson Jr. remains unclear about his timeline to return. Next up is the Magic City Classic against in-state rival Alabama A&M in Birmingham on Halloween. Alabama State has won the last four Magic City Classic matchups.

6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Record: 3-3, 1-2

Previous ranking: 6

Last week: 21-15 loss vs. Alabama State

This week: 2 p.m., Saturday at Florida A&M

Extra points: Coach Alonzo Hampton wanted to make sure all media members understood that if the Golden Lions won out this season, they’d put themselves in prime position to win the SWAC West division. Alcorn State, Grambling and Prairie View are currently ahead of the Lions in the division standings — with the latter two teams still on the schedule.

7. Prairie View

Record: 3-5, 3-2

Previous ranking: 10

Last week: 41-38 win vs. Alcorn State

This week: Saturday, 6 p.m. at East Texas A&M

Extra points: Senior kicker Ethan Eddins earned SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after nailing a 37-yard game-winner to get the Panthers back on the winning side of things during homecoming. Next up is 2-7 East Texas A&M, which Prairie View beat 34-27 in 2024. The reigning SWAC champions are now back at the top of the SWAC West Division standings.

8. Alcorn State

Record: 4-4, 2-2

Previous ranking: 4

Last week: 41-38 loss at Prairie View

This week: Bye

Extra points: Jaylon Tolbert continues to be arguably the best quarterback in the conference, completing 19 of 39 passes for 356 yards and 5 touchdowns in the road loss at Prairie View. The performance was enough for him to regain the No. 1 spot as the top passer in the FCS, throwing for 2,361 yards so far this season.

9. Mississippi Valley State

Record: 3-5, 2-2

Previous ranking: 8

Last week: 34-14 loss vs. Bethune-Cookman

This week: Bye

Extra points: The Delta Devils’ hot streak came to an end at homecoming against Bethune-Cookman. Mississippi Valley State dual-threat quarterback Josh Brown threw 3 interceptions in the loss and only rushed for 21 yards on 12 carries. Valley gets a bye week before ending the regular season with one of the tougher in-conference finishes that includes Alcorn State, Jackson State and Alabama A&M.

10. Southern

Record: 3-4, 1-2

Previous ranking: 9

Last week: Bye

This week: 2 p.m., Saturday at Texas Southern

Extra points: The Jaguars return from a bye week to travel to Texas Southern. It’s the program’s third trip to Houston this season, previously playing Houston and Prairie View. Southern is 2-3 in the last five matchups against the Tigers. Junior Trey Holly leads the SWAC in rushing with 673 yards and 6 touchdowns on 139 carries.

11. Florida A&M

Record: 2-5, 1-2

Previous ranking: 11

Last week: 27-17 loss at Jackson State

This week: 3 p.m., Saturday vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Extra points: Arkansas-Pine Bluff is the opponent for another SWAC team’s homecoming. The Rattlers are hosting the Golden Lions, three weeks after Southern hosted Arkansas-Pine Bluff for its homecoming. Coach Alonzo Hampton expressed how disrespected he felt to be scheduled for homecoming, and the Golden Lions left Baton Rouge with a 41-10 win. Now, it’s Florida A&M’s turn. History is on the Rattlers’ side, as they’ve defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the previous three meetings.

12. Texas Southern

Record: 1-5, 0-3

Previous ranking: 12

Last week: Bye

This week: 2 p.m., Saturday vs. Southern

Extra points: The Tigers look for their first SWAC win of the season against Southern for homecoming. Texas Southern still has the worst defense in the conference, and the eighth-highest scoring offense in the league. This week should feature two of the SWAC’s premier running backs in Athean Renfro and Trey Holly.