South Carolina State will look to make it three MEAC football championships in a row and the conference’s pre-season pollsters believe they can.
Ahead of Tuesday’s MEAC Media Day, the Bulldogs, defending Black College National Champions, were picked first in the conference’s pre-season poll.
North Carolina Central was picked second, while 2025 MEAC runner-up Delaware State was selected third.
Morgan State, Norfolk State, and Howard were tabbed for fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.
PRESEASON HONORS ARE IN👀 pic.twitter.com/xQw2IqiSnh
— Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (@MEACSports) July 20, 2026
The Bulldogs placed eight players on the conference’s preseason first team, including preseason defensive player of the year Jordan Franklin. Franklin was previously named to the Football Championship Subdivision preseason first team defense.
North Carolina Central wide receiver Chance Peterson was named MEAC preseason offensive player of the year.
MEAC Media Day will take place Tuesday July 21 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Joining the festivities will be the headlining sports podcast “The Pivot”, featuring former NFL standouts Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor.
