Trei Oliver has his North Carolina Central team focused on their Sept. 1 showdown with SWAC East preseason favorite Alabama State in the Orange Blossom Classic.
The object is not only for Central, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s preseason No 1. pick, to win the game, but in Oliver’s eyes, earn a little more respect as a conference.
“We want to win for our conference,” Oliver told ESPN’s Jay Walker at Tuesday’s Countdown to Kickoff. “I say it all the time; I don’t think the MEAC gets enough respect. We’ve got an opportunity. It’s the No. 1 MEAC team vs. the No. 1 SWAC team.”
This edition of the OBC will the first one without Florida A&M’s involvement, as the university backed out to pursue other scheduling avenues.
Oliver’s NCCU team went 9-3 in 2023, finishing second to Howard in the MEAC standings and earning an FCS playoff spot. The Eagles lost their first-round game to Richmond 49-27. Alabama State, led by alumnus and veteran NFL linebacker Eddie Robinson Jr., finished 7-4 in 2023, 5-3 in the East to tie Jackson State for second place in the division behind eventual Celebration Bowl champion Florida A&M.
Oliver has extensive experience coaching in both conferences – he coached defensive backs at Delaware State and linebackers at North Carolina A&T during their MEAC days while serving as special teams and linebacker coach at Grambling and defensive coordinator at Southern. Tuesday afternoon, he made it clear where his loyalty lies.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for the SWAC. I love Alabama State and Coach Eddie Robinson,” Oliver said. “But I’m going to roll with the MEAC. Put the ball down.”
The Eagles and Hornets will battle Sunday Sept. 1 on ESPN at a time yet to be determined.
