MEAC might ditch automatic playoff bid for bowl

[dbackjon]

Norfolk State has never made the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Soon, it might surrender its best chance to make the field.

Spartans athletic director Marty Miller confirmed Thursday that the MEAC is discussing a season-ending bowl game that would cost the conference its automatic playoff bid.

The Legacy Bowl would match the regular-season champions from the FCS's two historically black college conferences: the MEAC and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

"I think it'd be a good thing," said Ali Scott, an incoming freshman player from Churchland. "To me, winning a bowl game, that's a game that you never forget."

A news release from South Carolina State's athletic department indicated the game would be held starting in 2011 if the proposal is accepted. That decision, Miller said, will be made by the conference, school presidents and chancellors.

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[Keenan]

Let them do it and we'll gladly welcome SC St. to the Big South!

[guinzone]

The more at large bids the better!

[dbackjon]

The more at large bids the better!

They could drop an at-large bid to compensate. Or give it to the Pioneer.

[Sly Fox]

I would expect the NCAA to offer up the Pioneer League that auto bid to keep the split between autos & at larges even.

[JayJ79]

there is nothing that says that there can't be more at-larges than AQs (look at "March Madness")
and having an 18-team field makes even less sense than having 20, so I doubt that the NCAA would drop the MEAC AQ and an at-large. But I could see them offering that AQ spot to another conference like the Pioneer.

[SDHornet]

Why would they not want their conference champ in the playoff?!?