North Carolina Central comes into the 2024 football season looking for revenge after having its hopes for back-to-back Celebration Bowl championships stolen from them last season.
Though the Eagles could not claim a second straight MEAC title, they performed well enough to warrant selection to the FCS Playoffs.
This season, however, North Carolina Central will operate with a new cast of characters, with integral names such as Davius Richard, Latrell Collier, and Devin Smith now gone from the team.
In a conference open for the taking, the Eagles will have the weight of expectation against being predicted to lead the pack.
Here are our game-by-game predictions for the North Carolina Central Eagles 2024 football season.
9/1 Alabama State- [L]
Previous Meeting: Never
In the first Orange Blossom Classic that will not feature Florida A&M, North Carolina Central opens the season against SWAC favorite Alabama State. This first-time matchup serves as a potential Celebration Bowl preview, with both teams being picked to do well in their respective conference’s predicted order of finish. Alabama State’s dominant defense will be a handful for an NC Central offense operating with an entirely new unit.
Record: 0-1
9/7 Elon- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 34-23, 2023
North Carolina Central will line up against Elon in its first home game of the season. This is the second year in a row NC Central has faced Elon, getting a win over them last season. The Eagles’ victory was one of two against CAA opponents last year, having beaten Campbell the previous week. NC Central is looking to beat Elon in consecutive games for the first time since 1972.
Record: 1-1
9/14 North Carolina- [L]
Previous Meeting: Never
The Eagles enter another historical first-time matchup when they travel to Chapel Hill to face the University of North Carolina. The last time UNC played against an HBCU, they beat Florida A&M 56-24 in week 0 of the 2022 season. This game could have a similar final result, simply serving as an opportunity for NC Central to build chemistry as they inch closer to conference play.
Record: 1-2
9/21 North Carolina A&T- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 30-16, 2023
The 96th edition of the Aggie-Eagle Classic commences from O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium when North Carolina Central hosts North Carolina A&T. The Eagles have taken the last two meetings against the Aggies, including a 30-16 win last season. They are looking for a third straight win over A&T for the first time since 2016. NCAT is coming off a disastrous 2023 season that saw them finish with a 1-10 overall record.
Record: 2-2
9/28 Norfolk State- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 38-24, 2023
North Carolina Central will then pivot to its first conference game of the year when it faces Norfolk State in the Circle City Classic. The Spartans have struggled in the last two seasons, combining for a 5-17 record. They are looking for their first win over North Carolina Central since 2019.
Record: 3-2, 1-0
10/5 Campbell- [L]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 49-48, 2023
North Carolina Central matches up against Campbell for the third year in a row. After losing their first contest against Campbell in 2022, the Eagles dramatically evened the series last season, overcoming a 21-point deficit to win in overtime. The last time these teams matched up on Campbell’s home field. However, it was not kind to NC Central as they lost 48-18. If the Eagles’ defense is not strong from the outset, getting a win will prove difficult.
Record: 3-3, 1-0
10/12 Virginia-Lynchburg- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 59-14, 2022
Things get a bit easier for NC Central next when they host Virginia University of Lynchburg. The only thing in question in this game is the Eagles’ final winning margin.
Record: 4-3, 1-0
10/26 Morgan State- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 16-10, 2023
North Carolina Central will then enter a test against a tough Morgan State team. The Eagles have won six straight against the Bears, but victory did not come easily last season. The Bears’ defense held the Eagles offense to a season-low 3.19 yards per play, including just 2.39 yards per rushing play. This will be a difficult hurdle for NC Central in their quest for the MEAC crown.
Record: 5-3, 2-0
10/31 South Carolina State- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 62-28, 2023
It does not get easier for North Carolina Central as they will clash with South Carolina State five days later. NC Central emphatically ended its three-game losing streak against SC State last year thanks to a 41-point first half. They are searching for their first win against the Bulldogs in Orangeburg since 2018.
Record: 6-3, 3-0
11/15 Howard- [W]
Previous Meeting: Howard 50-20, 2023
In their penultimate game of the year, the Eagles set out to avenge their lone conference loss from last season against Howard. Howard hit NC Central with an avalanche in that game, hanging 521 total yards on them. The Bison’s 50 points is the most the Eagles have surrendered in a conference game since 2019. This game could determine who represents the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl like last season.
Record: 7-3, 4-0
11/23 Delaware State- [W]
Previous Meeting: NC Central 55-14, 2023
North Carolina Central’s 2024 regular season ends as it ended in 2023 in a matchup against Delaware State. The Eagles have won nine of their last 10 against the Hornets, with the previous season’s 55-14 win being the most lopsided. NC Central has significantly more talent and should win this game with little drama.
Record: 8-3, 5-0