Looking back: Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, and South Carolina State finished in a three-way tie for first place to finish the 2010 season, at 7-1 in MEAC play. Out of that trio, only B-CU and S.C. State advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) playoffs. Both teams lost in early round action, as the Bulldogs were blasted by Georgia Southern in round one, while the Wildcats were trounced by New Hampshire in round two.
Looking ahead: Savannah State joins the MEAC mix in 2011, giving the HBCU conference at least one member school from Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Also, North Carolina Central plays its full season of conference action in the upcoming season, giving the league 11 schools that play football.
Website: http://www.meacsports.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Florida A&M (8-3): Despite finishing the 2010 with six straight wins, a 2-3 start kept the Rattlers out of the FCS playoffs. They hope to change that in 2011. Still, FAMU faces tough road trips to Football Bowl Subdivision (BCS) South Florida, and South Carolina State, as well as the season-ending rivalry against Bethune-Cookman.
2. South Carolina State (9-3): The Bulldogs will be shooting for their fourth straight trip to the FCS playoffs. Like FAMU, S.C. State also has two non-conference games against FBS opponents; Central Michigan from the non-AQ BCS Mid-American Conference, as well as Indiana from the BCS Big 10 Conference. Additionally, the Bulldogs will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. for a key early-season in-conference test against Bethune-Cookman.
3. Bethune-Cookman (10-2): The Wildcats started 10-0 in 2010, before losing back-to-back games to close it out. With an early season slate that includes games against the likes of S.C. State, FBS (BCS) Miami (Fla.), and FAMU, B-CU might be hard pressed to match that lofty mark from last year.
4. Norfolk State (6-5): The Spartans look to take another step up the MEAC ladder after closing out last season with four straight wins. With 14 returning starters, including eight on defense, don't count them out.
5. Hampton (6-5): The Pirates had an up and down 2010 season, finishing 5-3 in MEAC action.
6. Morgan State (4-7): The Bears lost their roar down the stretch, losing four in a row after a 4-3 start.
7. North Carolina Central (3-8): The Eagles are finally ready to take the field for the first time as a full MEAC member in 2011, after struggling mightily as an independent in 2010.
8. Delaware State (3-8): The Hornets hope to bring their sting back after struggling to a mark of 2-6 in MEAC play.
9. North Carolina A&T (1-10): The Aggies are starting over with a new head coach in Rod Broadway.
10. Howard (1-10): The Bison hope to start fresh as well, with new coach Gary Harrell.
11. Savannah State (1-10): At least the Tigers finally have a conference to call home.
5 years ago
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