MEAC Football: The Calm Before the Storm

For the majority of the MEAC, it’s now the calm before the storm as three teams are on a bye. It’s like the last training montage in a Rocky film before the big fight. Every practice is the last sharpening of the blade before battle. Regardless of the season each team has had up to this point, all six will have a chance at the throne. The only question is… who wants it more?

The Bears of Morgan State have shocked everyone in the HBCU landscape with an impressive 5-1 record, highlighted by a 38-35 win at Villanova. With that being one of their multiple close wins, it’s clear that this year’s Bears squad knows how to finish games. You have to give credit to Coach Wilson, who seems to have finally figured it out offensively and is now looking to hunt. They’ve been absolute road warriors this season, and a win against Tennessee State on Saturday would propel them into a different stratosphere of confidence and momentum going into the fight for the conference crown.

North Carolina Central University has not had much success this season in out-of-conference games. Some losses were hard-fought, others not so much, but none of that matters now. Trei Oliver will always have a well-coached and disciplined team regardless. And he’s been known to outcoach a few of his fellow conference rivals. Also, don’t count out their crowd atmosphere in the Eagles’ Nest. That student section can make it hard for even the mightiest of teams to win there. If they have any aces up their sleeve, next week will be the time to play them.

The Howard Bison are one of the teams with a game this week. Not only is it Homecoming, but it’s also a rivalry game against Division II opponent Morehouse College. While this isn’t necessarily a week off for the Bison, it shouldn’t be a problem to take care of business against Morehouse when you’re a lot more talented and deeper than they are. The motivation to release tension from last week’s close loss against Robert Morris will most certainly play a factor as well. With everything at stake starting next week, look for the Bison to put this team away early and get the starters out and safe for conference play.

Norfolk State, South Carolina State and Delaware State are all on a bye week. The Hornets have had an unpredictable season so far, but that rushing attack is still full throttle for Delaware State and doesn’t look to be contained anytime soon.

The Bulldogs of South Carolina State started this season on top of the world, only to come back down to earth with two consecutive heartbreaking losses to in-state foes The Citadel and Charleston Southern. They’re undoubtedly grateful to use this bye week to recover some important pieces of their offense, such as QB1 Keely Russell, who was knocked out of last week’s game with a concussion on a blatant targeting hit as he slid, and senior running back Tyler Smith, who is one-third of the three-headed horse the Bulldogs unleashed during the first five weeks of the season. Smith is dealing with a quad injury but aims to be back during conference play. If both are back in time for Homecoming next week against Norfolk State, it would help them a lot.

The Spartans have every right to believe in their ability to get to Atlanta. Virtually nobody thought they would turn things around so quickly after going 1-11 just one year prior. Coach Vick will most certainly take advantage of this free week to return the favor against the defending champs on the road next week. They’re playing inspired football right now, and next week could very well be a fight.