FCS predictions: How N.C. A&T remains in playoff picture

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – North Carolina A&T’s goal is to win the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl and the mythical black college football national championship, which it accomplished in 2015.

As one of three unbeaten teams in the FCS, there’s a growing feeling A&T could match up well in the FCS playoffs, which would overcome a poor history for MEAC teams.

The Aggies don’t appear in any projected bracket for the FCS playoffs, including STATS’, but the possibility remains they could land an at-large bid if they don’t qualify for the Celebration Bowl. It’s a nightmarish prospect to teams on the playoff bubble.

The MEAC relinquished its automatic bid to the playoffs in 2015 to pair its champion against the SWAC winner in the Celebration Bowl, but the other teams in both conferences remain eligible for at-large bids.

The best A&T could be and not advance to the Celebration Bowl is 10-1 – a resume that the playoff selection committee probably couldn’t deny because it includes a win over FBS Charlotte, and the Aggies earned an at-large bid last season at 9-2. The best fellow MEAC contenders Hampton, Howard or North Carolina Central could be and not advance to the Celebration Bowl is 8-3, which probably wouldn’t warrant an at-large playoff bid because of the conference’s lower ranking against most conferences with an automatic bid.

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