THE WORD

The MEAC championship race is coming down to the wire. South Carolina State and North Carolina Central remain undefeated in conference play, while Delaware State is fighting to keep its Celebration Bowl hopes alive. With three pivotal matchups ahead, there's little room for error.

The 2026 MEAC football championship race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With Morgan State, Howard, South Carolina State, Norfolk State, Delaware State and North Carolina Central all entering conference play with something to prove, the road to Atlanta and the Celebration Bowl is wide open.

The calm before the storm has arrived in the MEAC. With Morgan State surging, South Carolina State looking to rebound and Norfolk State gaining momentum under Michael Vick, the race for the conference crown is wide open.

MEAC football enters a measuring-stick Week 3 with South Carolina State-Furman, Hampton-Norfolk State, NCCU-Gardner-Webb and more.