Though we usually have a good idea of which teams could be contenders for a Celebration Bowl berth, unpredictable sleepers often make a run to Atlanta.
South Carolina State, with a new head coach and several Division II transfers, won the MEAC.
Two years ago, that team was Howard.
Who could be the sleeper from either the MEAC or SWAC in 2025?
SWAC Sleepers:
-
Prairie View A&M: With new head coach Tremaine Jackson, a strong transfer class that includes 24 FBS transfers and 16 FCS transfers, and hopes to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season, Prairie View looks like a dark horse that could surprise in the SWAC West division.
-
Alabama State: The destiny of the Hornets will rest on the shoulders of the quarterback. Whether that’s Andrew Body or FBS transfer Te’Sean Smoot, if one of them (or both) can stay healthy (and produce), Eddie Robinson Jr. might finally break that glass ceiling in the SWAC.
-
Alcorn State: The Braves were supposed to win the SWAC West last year. Then they flopped. But Alcorn State is flying under the radar heading into 2025, even though they’re much bigger — literally. The Braves return All-SWAC running back Jacorian Sewell and might have something in Jaylon Tolbert, who was at Howard when the Bison made the Celebration Bowl in 2023. If he can be more than just hope, Alcorn State has a shot to go back to the HBCU championship for the first time since 2019.
MEAC Sleepers:
-
Morgan State: Despite challenges in the passing game in past years, they have the preseason MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year and could be a tough opponent if their offense improves. We think.
-
Norfolk State: It might be far-fetched, but Michael Vick and the Spartans have a ton of positive energy around the program. A break or two along the way could be the difference in a winnable MEAC. Could ya’ll imagine Vick going back to Atlanta and taking home the ‘ship? That would be a fairytale ending.
-
Howard: The Bison only play three home games all season. But Eden James is their best player. And with nothing guaranteed in the MEAC, Howard has just as good a shot to win the conference as anybody.
Traditional Favorites to Watch:
-
Jackson State (SWAC East) and Southern (SWAC West) are favorites but may face challengers from the sleepers listed.
-
South Carolina State and North Carolina Central are top contenders in the MEAC, but others in the league could add intrigue.
In summary, watch Prairie View A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State in the SWAC, Morgan State, Norfolk State, and Howard in the MEAC for sleeper team potential in the 2025 Celebration Bowl race.
These teams have compelling indicators, such as new coaching, transfers, returning star players, or previously underestimated talent, that could make them surprise contenders this season.
