MEAC Football Predictions: South Carolina State Takes Aim on a Three-Peat ...Middle East

With the 2026 FCS football season fast approaching, we’re making predictions for the Mideastern Athletic Conference. South Carolina State is seeking a third consecutive title.

South Carolina State may be the heaviest favorite in any FCS conference race this year.

The Bulldogs took last year’s second consecutive MEAC football title and followed it up with Celebration Bowl and HBCU national crowns. In the six-team football conference, they’ve won 11 straight league games since 2023 by an average of 22.9 points, and this year, claimed 10 of the 25 first-team spots on the MEAC preseason team (14 of 51 when expanding to two teams).

Oh yes, the conference’s only other winning squads last season – Delaware State and North Carolina Central – have to play at the No. 24 preseason team in Orangeburg this season.

Hampton, no longer in the MEAC, was the last program to win three straight outright conference titles from 2004-06.

Each team capsule below pits FCS senior editor Craig Haley’s predicted order up against the Opta projection model. The supercomputer, if you will, incorporates TRACR (Team Rating Adjusted for Conference and Roster) and other factors while running thousands of simulations to determine an average number of wins and losses per team.

2026 MEAC Football Predictions

1. South Carolina State Bulldogs

Chennis Berry is 10-0 in MEAC games and has led four straight perfect conference seasons (two at Benedict) as a head coach. Linebacker Jordan Franklin was named MEAC preseason defensive player of the year and is on the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List, while any list of potential breakout FCS players should include edge rusher Ka’Von Chisolm (17 tackles, 8.5 TFLs in the final six games). Running back Tyler Smith will ignite the offense.

2. North Carolina Central Eagles

After serving an apprenticeship for three years, Josh Jones becomes the starting quarterback and with MEAC preseason first-team honors. There’s plenty of help on the perimeter with wide receivers Chance Peterson (48 receptions, 720 yards), the MEAC preseason offensive player of the year and a Walter Payton Award preseason nominee, and Mehki Wall (510 yards, four touchdowns).

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3. Delaware State Hornets

The Hornets’ seven-win improvement in coach DeSean Jackson’s first season was the high among FCS programs. Their FCS-leading rushing attack (290-yard average) is overhauled with returnee Jayden Jenkins ready for more carries and Shaun Boykins Jr. in from Louisville. Meanwhile, there’s a QB competition with Jayden Sauray, Marqui Adams and William & Mary transfer Noah Brannock. Defensive back Wayne Favors III is on the HBCU National Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.

4. Morgan State Bears

Senior quarterback Tahj Smith is back after missing last season and there are plenty of playmakers, including leading rusher Randall Nauden, top receiver Justin Perry and all-purpose Malique Leatherbury and Keith Jenkins Jr. The Bears (1-3 in one-possession conference games last year) have a rugged road schedule, including Arizona State and Villanova out of conference.

5. Howard Bison

New coach Ted White is a former Howard QB. His offense gets back Eden James, who had three straight seasons with 400+ rushing yards before an injury limited him to two games last year. Safety Kedrick Green (60 tackles, two interceptions) was runner-up for MEAC preseason defensive player of the year.

6. Norfolk State Spartans

NSU only beat Division II Virginia State in coach Mike Vick’s debut, but six of the losses were by six or fewer points. Five players across the offensive and defensive lines earned MEAC preseason honors (OT Ryan Nolan and DE Jaylen Williams on the first team). Still, the Spartans have to cut down on the most penalties in an FCS season (132) this decade.

Top photo, from left, via Howard, South Carolina State and North Carolina Central Athletics. For more FCS football coverage, follow at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

MEAC Football Predictions: South Carolina State Takes Aim on a Three-Peat Opta Analyst.

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