1. Tarick Cohen will be the most dominant player in the conference. Cohen was the MEAC co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2014. While leading the league in rushing last year, Cohen ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing yards per game, touchdowns and catching the most passing while in the midst of a back flip. There is nothing he can’t do. And opposing defense will not have the antidote to contain him.

2. At least one MEAC team will attempt to “tank” to finish second. The winner of the MEAC will participate in the first-ever Celebration Bowl against the SWAC champion in December. The team that finishes second will have an opportunity to secure an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs. Although many coaches and players have publicly supported the Celebration Bowl, one would have to believe that a program still values competing in postseason play than in a bowl game.

3. Savannah State will win a game this season. They’ve lost 21 straight going back to 2011. But there is hope. Oct. 3, at home, against a Florida A&M program that is just in worse shape as the Tigers are.

4. South Carolina State’s run might be over. They’ve normally been in the mix for the MEAC crown almost every year under head coach Buddy Pough. However, teams like North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman not only have gotten better over time, but right now are better than the Bulldogs. South Carolina State will be fighting for third or fourth place in the MEAC for a long time.

5. Wheels will start in motion for a MEAC championship game. The rare five-team tie atop the standings in 2015 resulted in 7-win Morgan State winning the league and earning a playoff spot after tiebreakers. The only remedy to prevent this from happening again is split the league into divisions and play a championship game to decide it on the field.