South Carolina State still draws respect in MEAC

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  As compared to the larger NCAA Division I football conferences like the Southeastern Conference, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s preseason luncheon did not garner national attention.

For those with team members and Football Championship Subdivision observers, the one-day event held this past Friday in Norfolk, Va., offered some interesting revelations which can only increase anticipation for the upcoming season:

1. Bethune-Cookman is considered the team to beat, but South Carolina State still commands   respect.

As the defending MEAC champions and owners of a 13-game conference-winning streak, the Wildcats enter the new season with great swagger and a high confidence level. Since taking over in Daytona Beach in 2010, Brian Jenkins has made a meteoric rise to the top of the conference coaching ranks in leading Bethune-Cookman to a 28-7 overall record, 21-3 in the MEAC and a share of two regular-season titles. Another perfect season in conference play would leave the Wildcats one shy of South Carolina State’s MEAC-record 22 straight conference wins set from 2007-2010.

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