HBCU College Football: Who Will Recapture SWAC/MEAC Titles in 2023?

After waiting through agonizing months of the offseason, the college football season finally gets underway this week. The storylines are plentiful and here are the picks for the teams who will make it to the Celebration Bowl and who will walk away with as HBCU National Champions.

Here are a few teams that are looking good this year, in the Southwest Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

SWAC

Favorites – Florida A&M Rattlers (Last season: 9-2, 7-1 in SWAC)

The last time we saw Florida A&M, their head coach Willie Simmons was disappointed over social media. No, not over the "Send A Blitz," music video from rapper Real Boston Richey, but over his team not receiving an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs. If things go as planned, Coach Simmons will miss the FCS Playoffs again this season, but for a better reason.

The Rattlers enter the season as the favorites to win the SWAC for the first time in school history, and it’s thanks to the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Jeremy Moussa. The Graduate Student transfer from Vanderbilt had 21 touchdown passes last year, which was the second-most in the conference. He will be throwing the ball to SWAC First-Team wide receiver Jah'Marae Sheread and fifth-year tight end Kamari Young.

Defensively, the Rattlers will be led by the dynamic defensive backs in Javan Morgan and Kendall Bohler. Both were named to Bruce Feldman’s Freak List, and they will look to make life tough for every quarterback in the league.

Contenders

Jackson State Tigers (Last season: 12-1, 8-0 SWAC)

The three-year Deion Sanders era has taken its show from Jackson, Miss., to Boulder, Col. Now, it is up to new head coach T.C. Taylor to put his imprint on the program and he will be tested right out of the gate as the first two games will be on the road against South Carolina State and Florida A&M. Good luck.

Jackson State is look to get more physical on the offensive and defensive lines after allowing 276 rushing yards in the 41-34 overtime loss to N.C. Central in the Celebration Bowl. The biggest question is at quarterback and former Virginia Tech Quarterback Jason Brown will look to fill the starting role.

Southern Tigers – (Last Season: 7-5, 5-3 SWAC)

The game of football is won and lost at the line of scrimmage and Southern will have one of the best offensive and defensive units in the SWAC. They have Preseason All-SWAC First team defensive lineman Tahj Brown, and All-SWAC Second Team defensive lineman Ckelby Givens and offensive lineman Eli Fields. What may hold them back is the questions at quarterback Harold Blood looks to take the job.

Sleepers – Alcorn State (Last Season: 5-6, 4-4 MEAC)

Before Sanders was high-stepping his way to two SWAC titles, Alcorn State ruled the conference with six SWAC east titles and four SWAC championships in six seasons. If they will get back on top of the standings, then their offense must produce more points. They averaged only 20.7 a game which was 9th in the SWAC.

SWAC Game to Watch – September 3. Jackson State vs Florida A&M - Orange Blossom Classic

Prediction – Florida A&M beats Alcorn State in SWAC Championship Game

MEAC

Favorite – North Carolina Central Eagles (Last Season: 10-2, 4-1 MEAC)

The Eagles come into this season as not only the clear favorite to repeat as MEAC champs, but also take home the Celebration Bowl for the second straight season. They’re that good. They have the Preseason MEAC Offensive Player of the Year in Davius Richard and the Defensive Player of the Year in Khalil Baker.

The Eagles also have 13 players that are listed as either Preseason MEAC-First Team or Second Team selections. Last year, NCCU's offense average 10 more points than anyone else in conference play also had the second-best scoring defense in the MEAC. Other than playing at UCLA on September 16, I expect the Eagles to be favored in every game and represent the MEAC in the Celebration Bowl.

Contenders – Howard Bison (Last Season: 5-6, 4-1 MEAC)

The last time the Howard Bison had back to back winning seasons in conference play was in 2018. To do it again, they will rely on quarterback Quinton Williams who threw for 1,884 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Bison are also stout up front with Darrian Brokenburr and Jevin Jackson.

Keep an eye on the November 11th battle between Howard and North Carolina Central at Greene Stadium in our nation’s capital. That game will be the best shot for the Bison to upset the Eagles and win their first MEAC title since 1993 (Howard was tied with North Carolina Central last year, but lost to the Eagles 50-21).

Sleepers – South Carolina State (Last Season: 3-8, 1-4 MEAC)

The only team to beat North Carolina Central in conference play last season was coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough’s Bulldogs. Unfortunately, the season didn’t end there as they lost the final four games of the year.

The Bulldogs will welcome back Corey Fields Jr., as he looks to improve on his six touchdown passes and five interception effort from a year ago.

Morgan State (Last Season: 4-7, 2-3 MEAC)

Former Division II Coach of the Year, Damon Wilson will look to help the Morgan State Bears make another leap in year 2 of his tenure as head coach. The Bears haven’t had a winning record in conference play since they went 4-3 in 2004.

MEAC Game to Watch – North Carolina Central Eagles vs Howard Bison on November 11th.

Prediction – North Carolina Central goes unbeaten in MEAC and wins Celebration Bowl.