Now that the 2026 football schedules are mostly finalized, what does the MEAC’s non-conference road look like?
By using the 2025 record for each non-conference opponent, we rank each MEAC team’s schedule before conference play begins in mid-October.
1. Howard
Home games: Richmond (7-5), Morehouse (3-7)
Road games: Indiana (16-0), Rutgers (5-7), Penn (6-4)
Neutral sites: Alabama A&M for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge (4-8), Hampton for the Truth & Services Classic (2-10)
2025 non-conference opponents’ total record: 43-41 (.512)
Outlook: Bison legend Ted White’s return to DC is going to be full of challenges, including a trip to FBS national champion Indiana as well as HU’s yearly visit to Rutgers and a visit from usual FCS contender Richmond.
Games against Alabama A&M, Hampton and Morehouse highlight the HBCU portion of the schedule and will likely tell us what kind of team the Bison will be in 2026.
2. Delaware State
Home games: Stony Brook (6-6), Bowie State (3-7), Towson (6-6), Franklin Pierce (6-4)
Road games: William & Mary (7-5), South Florida (9-4), U. of Albany (2-10)
2025 non-conference opponents’ total record: 38-43 (.469)
Outlook: Year two of the DeSean Jackson era at DSU features three Coastal Athletic Association opponents, a trip to FBS bowl participant South Florida… and somebody named Franklin Pierce for homecoming.
A slight step up in non-conference foes for the Hornets will require Jackson’s rebuilding project to move quickly, especially with a tougher MEAC schedule on the horizon.
3. North Carolina Central
Home games: Elizabeth City State (4-6), North Carolina A&T (2-10), Campbell (2-10), William & Mary (7-5)
Road games: Texas Southern (6-5), Gardner-Webb (7-5), East Carolina (9-4)
2025 non-conference opponents’ total record: 37-45 (.451)
Outlook: After an unaccustomed third-place MEAC finish in 2025, Trei Oliver and the Eagles look to rebound with a favorable home schedule, a trip to Houston to face an improved Texas Southern team and a battle at FBS bowl participant East Carolina.
Each game features a chance for a new group of NCCU football players to make their mark and stake a claim as a contender for the MEAC title.
4. South Carolina State
Home games: Savannah State (4-6), Virginia State (6-4), The Citadel (4-8)
Road games: Furman (6-6), Bethune-Cookman (6-6), Charleston Southern (5-7)
Neutral sites: Florida A&M for the Orange Blossom Classic (5-7)
2025 non-conference opponents’ total record: 36-44 (.450)
Outlook: The two-time defending MEAC champions and Celebration Bowl champions have a very regionalized schedule, which should help them heading into MEAC play.
Two trips to Florida against FAMU (the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens) and Bethune-Cookman highlight the schedule and could be the tell as to what kind of title defense Chennis Berry and his Bulldogs will have in 2026.
5. Norfolk State
Home games: Winston-Salem State (4-6), Hampton (2-10), Virginia-Lynchburg (2-9)
Road games: Old Dominion (10-3), Virginia (11-3), Chicago State (N/A), Robert Morris (3-9)
2025 non-conference opponents’ total record: 32-40 (.444)
Outlook: The Michael Vick experience at Norfolk State enters Year Two with some heavy hitters (ODU and Virginia) and the unknown of a brand-new FCS program, Chicago State.
The Spartans have a favorable home schedule against D-II Winston-Salem State, a Hampton team with a new coach, and the Washington Generals of HBCU Football, Virginia-Lynchburg. Anything outside of 2-1 in that non-conference home schedule would be disappointing…and perhaps cause for alarm.
6. Morgan State
Home games: Virginia-Lynchburg (2-9), Robert Morris (3-9)
Road games: North Carolina A&T (2-10), Arizona State (8-5), Towson (6-6), Villanova (12-3), Tennessee State (2-10)
2025 non-conference opponents’ total record: 35-52 (.402)
Outlook: Damon Wilson and Morgan State have only two home games in their non-conference slate, but winnable, nonetheless. Robert Morris is coming off a down 2025 and VUL…well. You know.
The road schedule is the Bears’ biggest test with trips to FCS semifinalist Villanova, FBS member Arizona State, and North Carolina A&T and Tennessee State teams looking to redeem themselves after rough 2025 campaigns. Morgan will need a strong showing in these games if they are to make a move in the MEAC title race.
