RFC Summer Semester: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preview (NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision)

What it is: The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2010. Founded in 1970, the MEAC consists of 12 historically black colleges & universities (HBCU's), with 10 currently playing football. Membership stretches from Delaware to Florida, with Georgia being excluded, although Savannah State could eventually join the MEAC full-time provided the current FCS independent meets requirements such as staffing and scholarships. North Carolina Central rejoins the conference after a 31-year absence. NCCU withdrew from the MEAC in 1979 when the league re-classified to NCAA Division I status by the following year.

One more about trivia about the MEAC: Florida A&M won the first-ever NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship in 1978.

Website: http://www.meacsports.com/

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. South Carolina State (10-2): The Bulldogs (8-0 MEAC) took Appalachian State to the limit before bowing in round one of the FCS playoffs last season. They open this season on the road against defending ACC champion Georgia Tech on Sept. 4.

2. Florida A&M (8-3): After a second place finish in the MEAC at 6-2, the Rattlers hope to take the next step, and challenge for a postseason berth.

3. Norfolk State (7-4): The Spartans won four straight games to end the conference season at 5-3. The strong finish in 2009 alone gives fans in the Hampton Roads region hope for 2010.

4. Morgan State (6-5): Streaky Bears sandwiched a five-game winning streak with a four-game losing streak en route to a season-opening win, and season-ending loss, respectively.

5. Bethune-Cookman (5-6): The Wildcats won five of their final seven games after starting the 2009 season at 0-4.

6. North Carolina A&T (5-6): The Aggies hope to put 2009 behind them after a season-ending three-game skid.

7. Hampton (5-6): The Pirates lost four of their six games by seven points or less last season.

8. Delaware State (4-7): The Hornets hope to get their "sting" back after struggling to a 3-5 conference record a year ago.

9. Howard (2-9): The Bison face an uphill battle after not only ending the 2009 season on a seven-game, but also going winless in the MEAC at 0-8.