DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Media Day has come and gone, and with it of course come predictions. How correct have they been in the past, and how do we think they'll line up this season? We continue our look around the MEAC and pose a question for each program that will be key for its success this fall. Check out Part I here.
6- Norfolk State
2017: project-7 finish-6 2016: project-6 finish-7 2015: project- 7 finish-6 2014: project-6 finish-6 2013: project-7 finish-9 Aggregate: -1
Behold the Green and Bold scheduling. Latrell Scott will make sure his players chinstraps are buckled tight because September does the Spartans no favors. The Labor Day Classic against Virginia State will be a challenge again after NSU fell by a 14-10 decision last season. The Trojans went onto a 10-1 record. Then, back-to-back National Championship participant James Madison visits Dick Price Stadium. The following week, Sept. 15, sees the Spartans visit Lynchburg for a night kickoff at FBS opponent and one of the best kept secrets for a collegiate game atmosphere, Liberty. Finally, MEAC play begins at South Carolina State on Sept. 22.
NSU faced a similar situation last fall. After an 0-3 start, the Spartans won three of their next four, with the only loss coming by two points in the Battle of the Bay. An ability to stay healthy and maintain positive momentum will be key for a NSU resurgence once the MEAC schedule starts.
The Spartans have NCCU, Howard, and A&T on the docket, but host the first two while traveling to Greensboro on Nov. 3. The final four games are at SSU and A&T, and at home against Howard and MSU. If the Spartans can upset the Aggies, the back portion of
the schedule gives Norfolk State an opportunity for a late Celebration Bowl push. Juwan Carter started the final nine games the season at quarterback, and the rising sophomore should see an expanded role in the offense this fall. He's joined by the leading rusher, Aaron Savage, and his favorite target, Marcus Taylor, to form a formidable offensive attack. Defensively, six of the top 10 tacklers are back on campus, so the talent seems to be in place for NSU to make a rise.
What gave last year? Second half O. A running list of how NSU was outscored in the second half in its four MEAC setbacks:
Hampton- 2-7* *outscored Hampton
SSU- 21-3
Howard-14-0
NCAT- 21-0
With more experience returning this season than all the new faces that encapsulated 2017, perhaps more comfort and knowledge of the offense leads to better second half execution.
7- South Carolina State
2017: project-3 finish-8 2016: project-4 finish-3 2015: project-2 finish-4 2014: project-2 finish-1 2013: project-2 finish-1 Aggregate: -4
The non-conference slate will test the discipline of the defense with unique offenses. The season opens with Georgia Southern and UCF both on the road. South Carolina State will have an opportunity to position itself for a MEAC title, or dig itself a vast hole with a difficult start to its MEAC slate. The home-opener is against North Carolina Central and a week later Norfolk State checks in.
Consecutive road games at A&T and Morgan State gives the Bulldogs arguably the toughest first half conference schedule in the MEAC. Other one games include BCU, Del. State, and Savannah State. Consecutive road games at Howard and FAMU on Oct. 27 and Nov. 10 gives SCSU a gauntlet to prove itself in 2018.
Who all fits Darius Leonard's production? The top pick of the 2017 NFL Draft's second round by the Indianapolis Colts is a once in a decade if not generation player for most FCS schools. But there's something in that Orangeburg water. It would be seemingly impossible for one single player to be just like Leonard and have the same effects on an offense … right? Well bad news for the MEAC as longtime Head Coach Buddy Pough is already high on a young defensive lineman. While the specific name wasn't mentioned, according to the spring signee press release, one defensive lineman is mentioned. Could the next up-and-comer be Antonio Anderson? He totaled 94 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior at Lower Richland High School en route to being named to the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. Tykedrist Gibson is the only other true freshman DL on the roster, but a bevy of redshirt-freshman are in the fold, too. We'll see if the next rising star can crack the two-deep with so much coming back. After all, Leonard did redshirt his first year on-campus when he weighed only 180 pounds (really thought Leonard hit 180 as a 7th grader).
Six starters return on defense, with three on the line-of-scrimmage. Tyrell Goodwin, Paul McKeiver (5.5 TFL), and Roderick Perry will man the interior while Bruce Johnson, Damu Ford, and Cordell Brown are names to look for as ends. Could SCSU make it an unprecedented six-straight MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Awards? If sp, along with a retooled offensive coaching staff, the Bulldogs could make a return to glory in a critical year for Pough.
8- Savannah State
2017: project-10 finish-7 2016: project-11 finish-7 2015: project-11 finish-8 2014: project-N/A finish-11 2013: project-11 finish-11
Aggregate: +10
Similar to Norfolk State, the 2018 Savannah State schedule has the looks of a bruising start. The Tigers open the season with four straight road trips. UAB, Miami, Howard, and FAMU all host the Tigers before SSU graces a Saturday night at Ted Wright Stadium. If the Tigers can steal a game on the road in D.C. or Tally, the long road stretch gives way to an equal number of consecutive home games. BCU, Charleston Southern, a bye week, and Norfolk State are on the home docket from Sept. 29-Oct. 27. A road win at FAMU would come as revenge after the Tigers couldn't convert a fourth-and-goal with under 10 seconds remaining in last year's 20-
14 setback. SSU picked up MEAC wins in three of its final four games against NSU, DSU, and SCSU, who are all back on the schedule. With five preseason All-MEAC selections, headlined by d-lineman Steven Banks, Erik Raeburn has the ingredients to make 2018 his best yet as the Tigers look to make a grand exit from the MEAC following 2018.
Quite frankly, I struggled with a gotta-answer this question for Savannah State. Building a program takes time, and Raeburn has already delivered quality wins each year. So why not let Raeburn decide for himself? The Tigers coach was straightforward in explaining the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I can't argue with that assessment and he will have plenty of experience to work with. In addition not Banks, two other starters return in Brandon Carswell and Devon Holmes. Offensively, a total of nine starters return with five listed up front. Harvey King, TJ Jackson, Dylan McCloud, James Livingston, and Michael Johnson will be tasked with increasing a rushing attack that averaged just 116 yards last year and gave up 46 sacks.
9- Morgan State
2017: project-8 finish-11 2016: project-7 finish-7 2015: project-5 finish-6 2014: project-9 finish-1 2013: project-10 finish-3 Aggregate:
+11
The Bears of Morgan State will start 2018 with a goal of doing something that didn't happen last year. Score in a non-conference game. A hard-fought 10-0 setback in the Battle of Greater Baltimore unfortunately set the tone for shutout losses to Albany and Rutgers. Revenge is to be had in 2018 with round two of the season-opening contest vs. Towson and a road date at Albany. Sandwiched between is a Sept. 8 travel date to Akron. MSU hasn't taken outa bigger skin in the game since its stellar 2014 campaign. The Bears will have their opportunities with home games vs. SCSU, Howard, and BCU.
If you were a fan of MEAC basketball last season, you knew that Savannah State lived and died by the three-ball. Morgan State is similar in its affinity for Cover 0 or 1 coverage. This season, can the defense greatly cut down on the explosive plays? Last year, the Bears registered twice as many sacks as their opposition, with preseason All-MEAC linebacker Rico Kennedy back after taking home 19.5 (!!) of the unit's 28 TFL. Eight starters are back on interim Head Coach Ernest Jones' defense. Last year, MSU gave up 5.8 yards per-play, and 8.06 per-pass. If the defense can adopt a more bend-but-don't-break production, Morgan State can make a big stride in returning to its past dominance.
10- Delaware State
2017: project-11 finish-8 2016: project-9 finish-11 2015: project-10 finish-8 2014: project-5 finish-10 2013: project-8 finish-3
Aggregate: +3
Following a non-conference road schedule of Buffalo, St. Francis (PA), and Western Michigan, Delaware State will play at home just once before Halloween-time. At least NCAT visits Dover as opposed to a trip to Greensboro, but the Hornets must navigate road games at Norfolk State, Howard, and South Carolina State before Homecoming on Oct. 27. The home-friendly second half the schedule could give DSU a boost in the first year under alumnus Rod Milstead. NCCU is the Homecoming foe, and two more home games against Savannah State and unofficial MEAC associate member Virginia University of Lynchburg. DSU started last season winless in its first six tries, but posted a pair of wins to end 2017 2-6 in the MEAC. I think DSU has a solid chance to increase its win total in 2018.
As always, there are lots of questions surrounding the Hornets. DSU showcased a young, electric play-maker in 2016, but an injury shut down last year for running back Mike Waters. This fall, can Waters regain his 2016 form? Pairing Waters up with preseason Second Team All-MEAC Brian Alleyne would give DSU a formidable 1-2 punch. With former offensive lineman Milstead now in charge, more depth in the backfield might alleviate some growing process pains up front.
Three First Team selections will lead the roster in DB Keyjuan Selby, 'backer Brian Cavicante, and All-America punter Fidel Romeo-Martinez. With a handful of all-conference selections already on the roster and an easier end to the schedule than its start, year one of Milstead has the pieces to lay a solid foundation for a new Hornet era.
Thank you for taking the time to hear my thoughts. Agree or disagree? Tweet me @Nolan__Ryan and tell me what you think. Set a reminder for Aug. 30 for the BCU Wildcat Football Insider where we will ask each MEAC Head Coach their program's question.
