HBCU football season begins next Saturday with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
In 2025, the MEAC has much to prove following two consecutive Celebration Bowl losses for the first time in the game’s history.
The race to Atlanta has some intriguing stops along the way, so here are some MEAC-related games to watch throughout the season:
Week 0 – North Carolina Central vs. Southern, MEAC/SWAC Challenge, CenterParc Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 23
The two teams that finished second in their respective conference races will kick off the HBCU season.
North Carolina Central was picked to finish second behind South Carolina State in the MEAC, while Southern was tabbed to win the SWAC West for the second consecutive season. Trei Oliver and Terrence Graves come into the season with new pieces and returning vets, so this could tell us a lot about each team and serve as a possible Celebration Bowl preview.
Week 1 – Delaware State at the University of Delaware; Norfolk State vs. Towson, Thursday, Aug. 28.
The MEAC’s two newest head coaches—and biggest headliners—make their respective debuts at the conference. Michael Vick’s Norfolk State debut will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.
DeSean Jackson begins a new era of Delaware State football against in-state rival (and newly minted FBS program) Delaware.
Vick’s official homecoming will bring excitement and enthusiasm to Norfolk State. In contrast, Jackson will bring hope to a Del State team without a winning record since Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 general election.
Both coaches must field competitive teams to start the season, or people will wonder if the splash hires will leave these two struggling programs all wet.
Week 1 – Howard vs. Florida A&M at the Orange Blossom Classic, Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, Aug. 30
The 2023 Celebration Bowl participants each took a step back last season and looked to hit the ground running in preparation for their respective conference schedules.
Howard must replace several talents on both sides of the ball, while FAMU has used the portal to their advantage, securing some notable FBS talent.
Also, after a year’s hiatus, seeing the Rattlers back in the Orange Blossom where they belong will be good.
Week 7 – South Carolina State at North Carolina A&T, Saturday, Oct.11
The defending MEAC champion Bulldogs have another demanding non-conference schedule that ends with former conference rival A&T, who look to show improvement under Shawn Gibbs after two tough seasons with Vincent Brown.
Week 9 – Morgan State at Howard, Saturday, Oct. 25
The Bison and Bears are looking to clear some space for themselves at the top of the mountain with Central and SCSU, and the winner of this one will have a little more elbow room.
Can Morgan State run a consistent offense on the field, or can Howard limit their opportunities?
Week 10 – Norfolk State vs. Delaware State at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, Thursday, Oct. 30
There was no way Alumni Stadium was going to hold the first-ever meeting between Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson, so the two former Eagles will meet where they electrified crowds 15 years ago: at the Linc.
Both teams need to be competitive coming into this game to give it the hype it deserves. If they do that, this could be a big win for the MEAC.
Week 12 – South Carolina State at North Carolina Central, Friday, Nov. 14
Of course, ESPN moved this game to rush hour time in the Triangle, but the game’s importance can’t be understated.
The winner of this game won the MEAC last season, and there’s no reason (at the moment) to think this year’s game will be any different.
The good news is that both teams have nearly three months to work off some energy and game plan for each other.