Headlined by top-ranked South Carolina State, three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football programs were recognized in the inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll. North Carolina Central (No. 5) and Delaware State (No. 6) joined the Bulldogs in the rankings, while Howard also received votes in the first-ever poll.
The historic preseason rankings mark the debut of the first officially endorsed national poll dedicated exclusively to HBCU football programs competing at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and NCAA Division II levels.
The Black College Football Poll is jointly sanctioned by the MEAC, Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC), providing a unified national ranking of HBCU football programs across both divisions.
Coming off a historic 2025 season, South Carolina State claimed the No. 1 spot in the poll after capturing its second consecutive MEAC championship and winning the Celebration Bowl. The Bulldogs received 185 points, including 36 first-place votes.
North Carolina Central was ranked No. 5 after finishing 8-4 overall in 2025, including a 3-2 mark in MEAC play. The Eagles totaled 107 points in the preseason poll.
Delaware State earned the No. 6 ranking after finishing second in the MEAC standings during the 2025 season. The Hornets enter their second season under head coach DeSean Jackson, who guided the program to a runner-up conference finish in his first year at the helm.