By Paul L. Thorpe, CSN MEAC Review Columnist

As some of you were, I was upset after seeing South Carolina State get snubbed by the NCAA bracketologists once again. After a night’s rest, however, I got focused and realized that I like the position that SC State is in. On the block, they always say that to be the best, you have to beat the best and a FCS playoff road that runs through Boone and Richmond is a recipe for glory.

On the surface, getting matched up against a multiple national championship Appalachian State team at its house seems like a big deal until you peel back the surface. ASU’s reputation grew to astronomical proportions after its 2007 victory against FBS stalwart Michigan. In comparison, if you think that SC State is not as scary as App State, just ask Steve Spurrier about the Orangeburg boys. Yes South Carolina came away with a victory against SCSU, but no FBS coach wants to explain to his school’s fans why the score was 10-7 at halftime.

In truth, SC State’s preparations for this year’s playoffs began after the 37-21 loss to Appalachian State last year. You could look in the eyes of the SC State players this season and see that they weren’t looking past the opponents they were playing but rather they were looking through them. Each game has been a different challenge, whether it was against the SWAC, the SEC or the MEAC. SC State’s coaching staff and team have been focused all year on returning to the playoffs and proving that their school and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference are a step above the rest. Come join me in Boone, N.C., for a good old-fashioned MEAC party.

NOV. 21 GAMES

Howard (2-9, 0-8 MEAC) – 20 at Delaware State (4-6, 3-4 MEAC) – 30

For the second straight year, Howard University has earned the dubious title of worst team in the MEAC. The Bison tricked me coming out of the gate with a valiant effort against Rutgers and triumphs against Georgetown and Winston-Salem State. Little did I know that Georgetown was going to end the season winless and WSSU was well… just masquerading as a D-I team for Halloween. In this game, Howard was outgained in offensive yardage almost 2 to 1. Delaware State’s Junior QB - No. 8, Anthony Glaud had a career day with 315 passing yards, a 159 passer rating, and one rushing TD.

Morgan State (6-5, 4-4 MEAC) – 16 at Hampton (5-6, 3-5 MEAC) – 13

This victory in a close game against Hampton pulled Morgan State to an even MEAC record and put the team in fourth place in the conference. MSU’s QB - No. 1, Carlton Jackson had another mistake-free outing to lead the Bears to victory. Mr. Jackson completed 70 percent of his passes for 146 yards through the air. The staunch Morgan State defense was the game’s highlight by holding Hampton scoreless through the first half.

Winston-Salem State – 21 at Norfolk State (7-4, 5-3 MEAC) – 28

Norfolk State twisted the knife in the Rams one last time before WSSU returns to D-II land. Unfortunately, this was not quite the spirit-crushing loss for Winston-Salem State that I expected. Terrell Whitehead ended a fabulous career as a cornerback at Norfolk State with a 58-yard touchdown scored off an interception. This victory consolidated Norfolk’s third-place status in the MEAC.
The MEAC did a great job coming together this season to give Winston-Salem State the full D-I treatment. The one flaw on the conference’s record is WSSU’s triumph against Bethune. Next year, we get the opportunity to torture North Carolina Central University as it has decided to join in the monster’s ball that is the MEAC.

North Carolina A&T (4-6, 2-5 MEAC) – 10 at SC State (10-1, 8-0 MEAC) – 28

A&T fans didn’t expect too much out of this game. Realistically, unless 25 percent of SC State’s offense and defense had sustained injuries there was no real chance the Aggies were going to win. Credit goes to NCA&T for making this a better game than it should have been by snatching three interceptions from SC State and winning the time of possession battle. Unfortunately, the Aggies don’t have the firepower to match South Carolina State’s production on offense.

After spotting A&T a touchdown in the first quarter, the Bulldog “Triplets” took over. Two touchdown receptions for Oliver “Tre” Young and a running touchdown for Will Ford and Malcolm Long, respectively, led to the expected victory for SC State. While everyone knows that North Carolina is a better place to live, work and go to school (maybe I am a little biased) there is no denying that SC State had the better football squad than NCA&T this year. South Carolina State University finished the regular season with 10 victories for the second year in a row.

Florida A&M (8-3, 6-2 MEAC) – 42 at Bethune-Cookman (5-6, 4-4 MEAC) – 6

FAMU responded to the injuries sustained on offense last game by plugging in super substitute, No. 16 - Martin Ukpai, to play quarterback in place of the injured Curtis Pulley. Mr. Ukpai passed for 151 yards, threw his first college touchdown pass, ran for 66 yards and threw one interception for a QB ranking of 199.85. Junior runningback, No. 30 – Philip Sylvester, also had a productive day gaining 121 yards rushing on 19 carries and he also caught one pass for 21 yards receiving. Florida A&M looks well placed to challenge for the MEAC title again next year if Mr. Ukpai , Mr. Sylvester and the rest of the team can carry its success into 2010. FAMU ends the year with the second-best record in the conference.

COMMENTS ON THIS COLUMN

The SC State vs. App State playoff game is in Boone, N.C., at noon Saturday. Contact me on Facebook under “MEAC Review” if you also are going to be there or just to tell me your impressions of the Bulldogs.

There’s no more to say, man. Let’s do this!