The Southwestern Athletic Conference is making a significant change to its football scheduling model — one that will phase out games against lower-level competition.
Beginning with the 2027 season, SWAC programs will no longer be allowed to schedule non-Division I or non-Division II opponents, effectively ending matchups against Division III, NAIA and other non-NCAA programs.
Commissioner Charles McClelland said the move comes directly from the conference’s membership, with athletic directors voting in favor of the change as part of a broader push to improve the quality of play across the league.
“We’re going to eliminate playing non-Division I and non-Division II games in football starting in the 2027 football season,” McClelland said. “So no longer are we going to play games that don’t count.”
The decision marks a shift in philosophy for the conference, which has historically used those games for guaranteed wins, financial flexibility or early-season tune-ups. Now, the focus is shifting toward more meaningful competition.
From a football standpoint, the change is expected to raise the level of play across the board. Instead of mismatched games that often lack competitive value, SWAC teams will be required to face opponents at or near their level, creating a more consistent and challenging schedule.
It’s also a move aimed at fans.
“The membership came together and decided that was going to be the best thing in order for us to grow and move forward,” McClelland said. “As we have more competitive games, it’s going to shift schools’ thought process.”
Even in the short term, the impact is easy to see. During the 2026 season, several SWAC programs are still scheduled to play non-NCAA opponents, including Southern facing Lincoln Christian, Bethune-Cookman hosting VUL and Alcorn State taking on NAIA Baptist College. Those types of matchups will soon be a thing of the past.
The expectation is simple: better games, better preparation and a better product.
“It’s going to allow our teams to have more competitive games,” McClelland said. “It’s going to allow our fans to have more competitive games to go watch and support.”
The move also aligns with a broader shift happening across college athletics, where strength of schedule, perception and postseason positioning are becoming increasingly important — even at the FCS level.
For the SWAC, this isn’t just about eliminating games. It’s about raising the standard.
“All of these things are changing in real time,” McClelland said. “We’re in the room making these strategic decisions because we know what’s coming down the road.”
Starting in 2027, the message from the SWAC is clear: every game will matter.
