By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
The MEAC – Mid Eastern Athletic Conference – despite the minuscule membership, is a competitive, powerhouse entity seeking to maintain and achieve greater status and relevance. You recall a few years ago, FAMU and BCU deserting the MEAC for supposed greener pastures with the SWAC, the other major FCS/HBCU conference. The MEAC champion has held its own, exceeding expectations during the Deion Sanders era at Jackson State, which lost consecutive Celebration Bowl games to South Carolina State and North Carolina Central. MEAC conference play has begun in earnest and will be on full display in November.
On Thursday in Philadelphia, former NFL great Desean Jackson led Delaware State to a 27-20 victory over Northfolk State and Michael Vick, significant indeed since both played and starred for the Eagles. Morgan State gave the Bulldogs of South Carolina State all they could handle before succumbing 36-30 on Saturday. North Carolina Central overcame a feisty, proud Howard Bison squad 35-14.
The MEAC hierarchy has Delaware State, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State ranked in that order. Two certainties: all three are undefeated in conference play and will play each other, settling the title on the field. DSU plays at Morgan State on Friday and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU. Howard travels to South Carolina State in a must win for the Bison if they want to remain conference relevant. Finally in the MEAC, North Carolina Central hosts Northfolk State.
The SWAC Eastern Division leaders held as Jackson State overcame the game but undermanned FAMU Rattlers 41-16 in Tallahassee, while the Hornets had a more difficult challenge against previously (in division) undefeated Prairie View 31-28. Alcorn handled Texas Southern 33-14 and an improved Bethune team won a close one against Mississippi Valley 42-34. Grambling defeated Alabama A&M 13-10 and APBU easily handled lowly Southern which recently fired its football coach. Depending on whom Southern selects as its next coach, that is a proud program that won’t suffer losing long. Rest assured- get Alabama A&M while you can because Sam Shade is a proven winner, determined to improve A & M’s fortunes.
The SWAC East lines up thusly: Alabama A&M, ASU, BCU, I FAMU, JSU and MSVU; the West thusly: Alcorn, APBU, GSU, Prairie View, Southern, and TSU.
There are two prominent HBCUs not mentioned, North Carolina A & T and Tennessee State, both of whom have chosen to aligned their athletic fortunes with PWI conferences.
Prairie View followers should be cognizant of an emotional letdown following the excruciating loss at home to ASU. They travel to Huntsville to face a motivated Bulldog team hungry for a victory. The SWAC TV Network will televise the game.
Please view website to peruse entire Week 11 schedule as follows.
- 12 p.m. | North Carolina A&T at Stony Brook | FloFootball
- 1 p.m. | Maine at Hampton | FloFootball
- 1:30 p.m. | Howard at South Carolina State | ESPN+
- 2 p.m. | Norfolk State at North Carolina Central | ESPN+
- 2 p.m. | Tennessee State at UT Martin | ESPN+
- 3 p.m. | Florida A&M at Arkansas-Pine Bluff | HBCU GO
- 3 p.m. | Jackson State at Mississippi Valley State | SWAC TV
- 3 p.m. | Bethune-Cookman at Grambling State | SWAC TV
- 3 p.m. | Prairie View A&M at Alabama A&M | SWAC TV
- 3 p.m. | Texas Southern at Alabama State | SWAC TV
- 4 p.m. | Southern at Alcorn State | ESPN+
