MEAC Week 3: Bragging Rights Are on the Table
I like to think of money games as appetizers. They’re enough to keep you satisfied until the entrée comes later.
Since the season started back in Week 0, MEAC fans have, for the most part, filled up on appetizers, whether that’s been Division II matchups or FBS money games.
But Week 3 brings the steak and potatoes.
Four of the five MEAC games this Saturday are FCS out-of-conference matchups, meaning bragging rights and rankings are all up for grabs. The MEAC will need to play its best football of the season so far if it wants a successful weekend.
In what looks to be a heavyweight matchup, the Bulldogs will finally get their first real test of the 2026 season, on the road against the Paladins under the lights.
Furman is riding a hot streak after upsetting then-#14 Mercer.
This is the type of matchup where you have to look beyond the stat sheet. The Bulldogs have the No. 1 scoring offense and defense in the nation, but two of those wins came against Division II opponents.
What South Carolina State does have, though, is one of the most loaded and talented defensive line groups in the FCS, led by two NFL prospects: Jordan Dollard, ranked seventh among the top 10 HBCU draft-eligible players, and sophomore standout Kavon Chisholm.
Offensively, every running back in their room, led by sophomore sensation Mason Pickett-Hicks, can cause problems. But they’ll need to handle Joshua Stoneking, last year’s FCS leader in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (21.5).
Furman running back Isaiah Davis could also be a focal point for the Bulldogs’ defense after his 114-yard performance against Tennessee two weeks ago. Davis sat out last week for unknown reasons, but if he’s available Saturday, expect a tightly contested defensive battle decided in the trenches.
Hampton at Norfolk State
The Spartans hit the road this weekend to face longtime in-state rival Hampton in the Battle of the Bay.
Norfolk State has already matched last year’s total win count, and I’ve gone on record saying this year’s Spartan squad is better than last year’s. Saturday is their chance to prove it.
A win over their rival could send a message that Coach Vick is the right man for the job and that the program is moving in the right direction.
A common misconception about Norfolk State is their 1-11 record. Six of those 11 losses were decided by one score, including last year’s meeting against Hampton, a 41-34 defeat at home.
While outside attention is focused on the rivalry, Coach Vick has made clear his team isn’t treating it that way. He’s said publicly he doesn’t want his players getting caught up in the rivalry and that they’re approaching it as just another game.
Norfolk State will need to establish the ground game early if they want to come away with a win. Defensively, they’ll need to keep extending Hampton’s scoring drought, as the Pirates haven’t found the end zone in their last two games.
North Carolina Central at Gardner-Webb
The Eagles have had a less-than-stellar start to the season.
They’re 2-1 on the year, but it’s how they’ve won that raises eyebrows. Coach Trei Oliver has always held Eagle football to a certain standard, and that standard hasn’t been fully met through three games.
NCCU is coming off an emotional 30-22 road win over rival North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, but we’re not used to seeing the Eagles barely pull out wins.
That could change this weekend at Gardner-Webb.
The Bulldogs are 0-3 heading into the matchup, but win probability still favors them at 64%. Their last two losses came in close games against Wofford and FBS opponent Liberty, making their strength of schedule far tougher than NCCU’s.
Coach Oliver and the Eagles need to be ready for a fight if they want to improve to 3-1.
Gardner-Webb has just one passing touchdown through three games, which could work in NCCU’s favor if the Eagles can keep that offense one-dimensional.
Delaware State at South Florida
DeSean Jackson and the Hornets head south to Raymond James Stadium for a money game.
In these matchups, you typically just want to get in and out healthy without getting embarrassed, especially for a team like Delaware State, which many, myself included, believe will be back in the MEAC championship game against South Carolina State this season.
One thing working in the Hornets’ favor Saturday is that the game is under the lights, eliminating the usual challenges of playing in the Tampa heat during the day.
Delaware State obviously doesn’t have South Florida’s depth, but the Hornets do have an explosive ground game with plenty of speed in the backfield and on the outside.
They could be one missed tackle away from a few big plays, and expect them to milk the clock on every offensive possession.
Morgan State at Towson
The 2-1 Bears travel crosstown to take on the 0-3 Towson Tigers in the Battle for Greater Baltimore at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The matchup marks the 31st meeting between the two schools, with Towson holding a commanding 24-6 all-time record and 12 wins in the last 13 meetings since 2005.
Last season’s matchup saw the Tigers escape with a narrow 27-22 win.
Morgan State hasn’t been able to pair its solid defense with consistent offensive production under Damon Wilson so far, and that continues to be the team’s biggest obstacle.
If the Bears want to turn this series around, they’ll need to find a way to get their offense on track.
A Measuring-Stick Weekend for the MEAC
Overall, this weekend serves as a major measuring stick for where these teams stand against their non-HBCU counterparts.
Setting aside Delaware State’s money game, expect every matchup to be a hard-fought, one-possession trench battle with wins split down the middle.
We’ll have our answers soon enough.
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