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South Carolina State leads MEAC Predicted Order of Finish, Delaware State third
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- South Carolina State leads MEAC Predicted Order of Finish, Delaware State third
South Carolina State leads MEAC Predicted Order of Finish, Delaware State third appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
South Carolina State enters the 2026 season as the team to beat in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs were voted the preseason favorite to win the MEAC, putting them in position to capture a third consecutive conference championship and earn another trip to the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
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The selection comes as head coach Chennis Berry continues one of the most dominant starts by a coach in recent MEAC history. Since arriving at South Carolina State from Benedict College ahead of the 2024 season, Berry has yet to lose a conference game. His first two seasons culminated in back-to-back MEAC championships, including last season's unforgettable Celebration Bowl victory.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 21-0 halftime deficit before defeating Jackson State 40-38 in a four-overtime thriller to secure the HBCU national championship. South Carolina State also claimed one of the conference's top individual honors, with linebacker Jordan Franklin being named the 2026 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
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North Carolina Central , another perennial conference contender, was selected to finish second in the preseason poll. The Eagles are led by quarterback Chance Peterson, who earned MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors after emerging as one of the conference's top offensive playmakers.
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Perhaps the biggest surprise in the poll came at No. 3. Delaware State, coming off an 8-4 campaign that exceeded preseason expectations in DeSean Jackson's first season, was picked to finish third after making a legitimate run at the conference title in 2025.
The Hornets earned several signature victories last season, including an upset of North Carolina Central during the Eagles' homecoming game. They also defeated Norfolk State, led by Jackson's former teammate Michael Vick , 27-20 at Lincoln Financial Field, giving the first-year head coach one of the biggest wins of his inaugural season.
Delaware State's championship hopes ultimately came down to the regular-season finale against South Carolina State. With the MEAC title effectively on the line, the Bulldogs defeated the Hornets to claim the conference championship and advance to the Celebration Bowl.
Despite losing key offensive contributors James Jones and Marquis Gillis during the offseason, Delaware State is still expected to contend near the top of the conference standings.
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Another notable result in the preseason poll came with Norfolk State. Despite winning just one game last season, the Spartans were picked to finish fifth under new head coach Michael Vick , ranking ahead of defending MEAC champion Howard University, which enters its first season under alumnus and head coach Ted White.
The full 2026 MEAC Predicted Order of Finish is below.
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| Rank |
Team |
Points (First-Place Votes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
South Carolina State |
49 (5) |
| 2 |
North Carolina Central |
42 (1) |
| 3 |
Delaware State |
40 (2) |
| 4 |
Morgan State |
25 |
| 5 |
Norfolk State |
18 (1) |
| 6 |
Howard |
15 |
