North Carolina Central Picked To Defend MEAC Championship

NORFOLK, Virginia -- North Carolina Central was picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Eagles topped the league's annual preseason poll. Voting for the poll is conducted by the MEAC's 11 head coaches and football sports information directors.

The Eagles received 13 first-place votes to narrowly finish ahead of rival North Carolina A&T State, who finished with 10 first-place votes. South Carolina State was picked to finish third while Bethune-Cookman was picked fourth. Hampton was tabbed to finish fifth followed by Florida A&M, Norfolk State, Morgan State, Howard, Savannah State and Delaware State.

1. North Carolina Central (13)
2. North Carolina A&T State (5)
3. South Carolina State
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Hampton (1)
6. Florida A&M
7. Norfolk State
8. Morgan State
9. Howard
10. Savnnah State
11. Delaware State (1)

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS