With conference play more than two months away, each MEAC football team has an interesting slate of out-of-conference games on the horizon in 2026.
We picked one out-of-conference game for each MEAC squad to watch before the race to Atlanta begins in mid-October.
Delaware State
At William & Mary, Week 1, Sept. 5
The Tribe finished their last Coastal Athletic Association season 7-5 and will compete as football-only members of the Patriot League in 2026.
While DSU has three more CAA teams (and a trip to South Florida on the schedule), a visit to Williamsburg to face a longtime FCS powerhouse starting over in a new league will be a good test of how far DeSean Jackson’s Hornets will have to go to be MEAC contenders again this season.
Howard
Vs. Hampton in the Truth & Services Classic, Audi Field, Washington, DC, Week 5, Oct. 3
The Bison snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Pirates in convincing fashion in 2025, but two new head coaches will face off in this year’s Battle of the Real HU.
Howard legend Ted White returns to lead the school where he set several MEAC passing records while Hampton will be led by veteran assistant/coordinator Van Malone.
Both teams have tough schedules leading into the Truth & Services Classic, so this could be a must-win for either side.
Morgan State
At North Carolina A&T, Week 0, Aug. 29
The Bears begin a make-or-break 2026 campaign with a visit to Greensboro and an A&T team bent on changing their hard-luck story of recent seasons.
With so much potentially on the line this season, it will be crucial for Morgan State to get off to a good start.
A loss at a rebuilding Aggie program might accelerate concerns about the Bears’ future.
Norfolk State
Vs. Winston-Salem State, Week 0, Aug. 29
Norfolk State also needs to get off to a good start in Year Two of the Michael Vick era.
A Winston-Salem State team now led by program legend and former Vick assistant Tory Woodbury will invade Dick Price Stadium looking to make a name for themselves.
The Spartans cannot let that happen or they too will face questions and concerns about the rest of their season…and potentially beyond.
North Carolina Central
At Texas Southern, Week 0, Aug. 29
Trei Oliver and his team have never been shy about traveling for a good game and with Texas Southern picking up their first winning season in over a decade under Cris Dishman, that’s what the Eagles will get opening weekend.
If NCCU is to establish themselves as an FCS team to reckon with and a MEAC contender, beating TSU will be a good way to start that process.
South Carolina State
At Charleston Southern, Week 6, Oct. 10
One of the few hiccups the Bulldogs suffered in 2025 was a last-minute loss at the Buccaneers on Sept. 27.
That was also the last time South Carolina State lost a football game, so the defending Black College National Champions will be looking for revenge to close out their out-of-conference schedule.
There’s a very good chance SCSU could finish that schedule unbeaten and putting the hammer down on Charleston Southern would be a nice way to show the MEAC that once again, the league will have their work cut out for them.
