The Celebration Bowl.
Depending upon which conference your team is based in, you probably either love or hate the idea of the new MEAC/SWAC Bowl.
SWAC fans love it because they are tired of hearing about how much better the MEAC is than their beloved conference. MEAC fans hate it because, despite not winning a playoff game this century, they believe that a shot at a national title is within their reach.
However you feel about the game, both teams will send their champion to the Georgia Dome to play the game on Dec. 19.
With that being said, we look at the top three contenders to represent their conferences in the game.
SWAC
Alcorn State (4-1)
Other than a necessary but ugly money game against Georgia Tech to open the season, Alcorn has showed no signs of slowing down. ASU has outscored its opponents 156-35 in its last three games but the toughest part of their schedule awaits them.
Grambling State (3-2)
Picking up right where they left off last season, Grambling has scored 50 points or better in three of its last four games, however it has given up more than 50 points in two of those games. They need to remember the old saying “Defense wins championships” and start to lock down on D.
Southern (2-2)
The defending SWAC West champs will be happy to get back on the field after Devon Gales’ serious injury at UGA. The SWAC West looks like it will once again come down to Grambling and Southern in the Bayou Classic.
MEAC
Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 2-0)
Slowly but surely, BCU is finding its footing in the post-Brian Jenkins area. BCU has come up with close wins on the road against Grambling and North Carolina Central, but will have its hands full with South Carolina State and North Carolina A&T in back-to-back weeks.
South Carolina State (2-2, 1-0)
SCSU suffered a letdown vs. Furman, but still figures to be a factor in the MEAC. Thursday night’s game against Bethune-Cookman will likely have big-time implications in the MEAC race when all is said and done.
North Carolina A&T (3-1, 1-0)
A&T has won every game its supposed to up to this point. Look for it to be tested by Norfolk State this weekend before a bout with Bethune-Cookman when it returns to Greensboro.
