The dust has finally settled on the 2025 season, and honestly, if you predicted how these meac conference football standings would look back in August, you're probably lying. Most people had North Carolina Central or maybe Morgan State as the sure things. Instead, we got a masterclass in coaching from Chennis Berry and a "where did that come from?" resurgence in Dover.
South Carolina State didn't just win; they dominated. They finished a perfect 5-0 in conference play. It’s their second straight title, and they did it with a target on their backs the whole time.
The Reality of the meac conference football standings This Year
Look at the top of the pile. South Carolina State sits at 9-3 overall. That 5-0 MEAC record is the only stat that really matters when you're talking about who gets to pack their bags for Atlanta. They beat Delaware State 28-17 in the finale to clinch it. That game was a dogfight.
Delaware State is the real shocker here. People picked them to finish last in the preseason poll. Basically everyone wrote them off. Then DeSean Jackson—yeah, that DeSean Jackson—comes in as a first-year head coach and flips the script. The Hornets finished 8-4 overall and 4-1 in the MEAC. It’s their first winning season since 2012.
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- South Carolina State: 5-0 MEAC (9-3 Overall)
- Delaware State: 4-1 MEAC (8-4 Overall)
- North Carolina Central: 3-2 MEAC (8-4 Overall)
- Howard: 2-3 MEAC (5-7 Overall)
- Morgan State: 1-4 MEAC (4-8 Overall)
- Norfolk State: 0-5 MEAC (1-11 Overall)
It’s kinda wild to see North Carolina Central down at third. They were the preseason favorites for a lot of pundits. They had 12 players on the All-MEAC First Team. Twelve! But when you lose a heartbreaker 34-27 to the Bulldogs, your path to the Celebration Bowl basically evaporates.
Why South Carolina State Stayed on Top
Chennis Berry is 10-0 in MEAC play since he took over. That’s not luck. He’s built a culture where they expect to win every Saturday. They led the league in passing offense, averaging 284 yards a game. William Atkins IV was a beast under center, throwing for over 2,000 yards on the year.
But it wasn't just the air attack. Their offensive line is basically a brick wall. Roger Smith, the Offensive Lineman of the Year, anchored a unit that helped the Bulldogs put up over 5,000 yards of total offense. You can’t stop a team that can beat you in the trenches and over the top at the same time.
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The Heartbreak for Morgan State and Norfolk State
Morgan State had so much hype. Jason Collins Jr. was the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Erick Hunter was the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. On paper, this was their year to make a run. But football isn't played on paper. A 14-12 loss to Delaware State where a field goal went wide right in the final seconds basically summed up their season. Just "close but no cigar" over and over.
Then you have Norfolk State. It’s been a rough ride in Virginia. 0-5 in the conference and 1-11 overall looks bad, but honestly, they were more competitive than the record says. Four of their losses were by one score. They just couldn't find a way to close out games in the fourth quarter. Kevon King did his best, rushing for nearly 200 yards in their game against Howard, but the defense just couldn't hold.
What Most People Get Wrong About MEAC Football
There's this weird misconception that the MEAC is "top-heavy." People think it's just SC State and then everyone else. That's a mistake. If you actually watch the games, the talent gap is tiny. Delaware State going from worst to nearly-first proves that a coaching change and a little momentum can change everything overnight.
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Also, don't ignore the non-conference wins. MEAC teams weren't just beating up on each other. They picked up big wins against other FCS programs, which helps the conference's "power rating" even if the national media doesn't always give them credit.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the meac conference football standings for the 2026 cycle, keep an eye on these factors:
- The Transfer Portal: It’s changing everything. Delaware State’s quick turnaround was fueled by new energy and key additions.
- The "Berry" Factor: Until someone beats Chennis Berry in a conference game, the road to the title runs through Orangeburg.
- Freshman Impact: Raymond Moore III at Morgan State is the real deal. He won Rookie of the Week six times. If Morgan State can build around him, they’ll be back in the top three next year.
The 2025 season showed us that the preseason poll is basically a piece of trash once the whistle blows. South Carolina State is the king, but the rest of the pack is hungry.
Actionable Next Steps for MEAC Followers
- Watch the Celebration Bowl VOD: If you missed the Bulldogs in Atlanta, go back and watch the tape. It shows exactly why their system works against high-level SWAC competition.
- Track the 2026 Signing Day: Pay close attention to who lands the top recruits from Georgia and the Carolinas; that’s where the MEAC depth is built.
- Follow the Coaching Carousel: With the success of first-year coaches this year, expect other struggling programs to look for "splash" hires to replicate the Delaware State model.
- Check the Eligibility Lists: Several key players like William Atkins IV and Johnny Jones are seniors. Seeing how SC State replaces that production will be the biggest storyline of the 2026 spring camp.