NSU Spartans' coach: Middle-of-the-pack MEAC pick seems about right

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Coaches often feel either shortchanged or concerned about overconfidence when preseason polls come out.

Second-year Norfolk State football coach Latrell Scott figures that the league’s coaches and sports information directors got the Spartans’ spot right this year.

NSU, on the heels of a 4-7 overall and 4-4 MEAC mark, was picked sixth in the 11-team poll released Friday as part of the MEAC’s media day. Of the five teams picked ahead of the Spartans, only one – rival Hampton – lost to them last season.

“I think if you look at it, it’s right where we should be,” Scott said. “If we want to be ranked high, we need to beat those teams.”

Defending co-champions North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman and N.C. Central, respectively, were the top three picks. N.C. A&T won a tiebreaker and represented the MEAC in the inaugural Celebration Bowl , where the Aggies defeated SWAC champion Alcorn State.

For the long-struggling frontrunners, being picked to win the league again is an honor.

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