Who Runs the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference?
By: Lawrence Dow Twitter: @LJeeeeezy
We’re now in the third week on conference play in the MEAC and we’re starting to figure out which teams are contenders and which team’s aren’t. With two ranked teams in the FCS top 25, the MEAC is looking stronger this year than it has in the past. With three teams undefeated inside of the conference, the coming weeks should allow from some exciting matchups to unfurl. This ranking will only concern itself with the top five teams in the MEAC.
Game Of The Week
This weeks game to watch belongs to the Hampton Institute vs. Norfolk State. Each of these teams is undefeated going into this matchup. Yankee Johnson looks to continue his strong MEAC play and continue to lead the Hampton offense. Hampton’s strength rests on its defense which is second in scoring defense and third in overall defense. Norfolk State will look to its second-ranked scoring offense and quarterback Juwan Carter to overcome the stout Hampton. This game should be exciting and in the battles of offense versus defense I’ll always stick to offense. I’ll take Norfolk State in a tight game vs Hampton Institute.
Power Rankings
-
North Carolina A&T has been the class of the conference for the last couple of years. This year they look better than ever, undefeated and ranked 15th in the Stats FCS top 25 rankings. A&T brings the complete package sporting the top offense and defense in the league. As of now A&T is far and away the class of the MEAC and it will be interesting to see which team will be the first to push them in conference play.
-
The MEAC’s second-ranked team North Carolina Central is ranked 25th in the Stats FCS Rankings. NC Central escaped a close loss to Howard University in which it’s offense struggled to move the ball. However, NC Central’s defense ruled the day dominating Howard and forcing key turnovers whenever needed. NC Central looks beatable this year, and it will be interesting to see how they progress throughout the season.
-
Hampton University takes third place on this list. Yahkee Johnson, averaging 81 rushing yards a game, is going to look to truly pound the ball in the rest of the in-conference game as Hampton’s offense will have to ramp it up if they want to continue winning in the MEAC.
-
Norfolk State and Hampton University were so close when it came to this ranking, but they play this week and that should decide which team is in the elite class of the MEAC. Norfolk State looks to continue to ride it’s explosive offense to in-conference wins.
-
Howard University fell just short of upsetting NC Central and will look to run the table for the remainder of their in-conference play. Howard, which ranks second in total offense, will have to cut down on turnovers if they want to be truly elite. Howard’s defense has been sublime these last two weeks and if the offense can live up to their potential this team should rise much higher on these rankings by the end of the year.
So far the MEAC looks just about the same this year as it has every year. Going forward the question will be if any team can end the North Carolina stranglehold on the MEAC. Who will represent the MEAC at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta this December.
