As the HBCU football season kicks off, the preseason rankings are starting to roll out, and guess what? The SWAC is once again hogging the top spots. Trei Oliver, head football coach of North Carolina Central, is ready to set things straight and give the MEAC the respect it deserves. Following his interview with HBCU Gameday, Oliver put the mic down but didn’t stop talking.
“You finished your top 10 yet?,” Oliver asked our Steven J. Gaither regarding our poll. Gaither replied that we haven’t posted it yet, and that it was likely another poll. Either way, Oliver had a point to make. “Why can’t we get no love, man?”
Let’s Check the Receipts
Let’s look back at HBCU Gameday’s 2022 preseason polls. Out of the top ten, eight spots were snatched by SWAC teams, with only South Carolina State and Norfolk State holding it down for the MEAC.
Oliver is scratching his head, asking, “When it comes to the top 10 in Black college football, why aren’t the MEAC schools in it?”
That season, North Carolina Central decided to do more than just talk. It won the MEAC and clinched the Celebration Bowl by knocking off Deion Sanders and Jackson State. The HBCU national champs even pulled off a win against no. 25 New Hampshire during the 2022 season.
Oliver wasn’t shy about bragging.
“What other Black college schools are beating PWI’s? He asked. “We beat #10 New Hampshire at their place.”
The MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) are the only two FCS HBCU conferences, yet many people — including Oliver — often feel like the SWAC gets all the love and media attention. This can be a bit frustrating for MEAC fans who’ve seen their teams shine. North Carolina Central showed its chops last season with a win over #25 Elon, and Morgan State even managed to surprise by beating highly ranked Richmond.
So, as the season gets underway and the SWAC continues to dominate the rankings, let’s not forget about the MEAC. Trei Oliver’s call for respect is loud and clear. With the preseason rankings once again favoring the SWAC, one question remains: Will the MEAC finally get the recognition it’s been waiting for?
Oliver and NCCU will get to back up his words when the season starts. NC Central is set to face Alabama State, predicted to be the top team in the SWAC, in its season opener on Sept. 1 in the Orange Blossom Classic.
The HBCU Gameday 2024 Preseason FCS Poll will debut on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
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