Even though the MEAC champion will represent the conference in postseason play at the inaugural Celebration Bowl against the SWAC champion in Atlanta next month, the possibility of an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs is still in reach for a couple of MEAC schools.
Entering the final week of the regular season one of three schools — North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central — could earn a playoff berth Saturday.
In a recent interview with STATS, Mark Wilson, the chair of the selection committee, said the MEAC will be considered for an at-large bid even though the conference champion will participate in a bowl game.
STATS: Will MEAC teams be considered for an at-large bid considering their champion will play in the Celebration Bowl and not in the playoffs this year?
MW: Yes, sir, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is eligible for at-large selection, and we’ve been receiving information on their teams over the course of the year. We will use that information as we head into the selections.
This is good news for a school like BCU who will play 1-9 Florida A&M in the Florida Classic. At 8-2, a win would go a long way in bolstering their postseason resume, as the Wildcats received 183 votes, which placed them at No. 29 in the last FCS Top 25 poll.
A win by North Carolina A&T (9-1) over in-state and conference rival North Carolina Central (7-3) gets them the outright MEAC crown and a trip to the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 19. If the 16th-ranked Aggies lose, their postseason hopes will immediately become uncertain and opens the door for all sorts of scenarios.
