South Carolina State (7-3, 3-0 MEAC) visits North Carolina Central (7-3, 2-1 MEAC) for a pivotal Week 12 showdown with major MEAC title implications.
SC State enters the weekend tied for first place with Delaware State atop the conference at 3-0, while NCCU sits third in the MEAC at 2-1 and needs a win to stay alive in the championship race.
South Carolina State has surged into contention with five straight victories and one of the league’s most balanced offenses. Quarterback William Atkins IV has thrown for 1,711 yards and 15 touchdowns, while running back Tyler Smith leads the ground game with 441 yards and 4.8 yards per carry. Wide receiver Jordan Smith remains the Bulldogs’ most consistent big-play threat with 623 yards, 16.0 per catch, and 4 touchdowns.
Defensively, SC State has been strong across the board. The Bulldogs allow just 81 rushing first downs all season, rank among the MEAC’s best in pass defense at 192 yards allowed per game, and are anchored by linebacker Jordan Franklin, who leads the team with 50 tackles and 2 interceptions. They’ve produced 39 total touchdowns with a positive trend in turnover ratio.
North Carolina Central brings the MEAC’s most explosive passing offense, led by quarterback Walker Harris, who has thrown for 2,732 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing nearly 64 percent of his passes.
His top weapons, Chance Peterson (635 yards) and Chauncey Spikes (621 yards, 8 TDs), form the league’s most productive receiving duo. Running back Chris Mosley adds balance with 829 rushing yards (5.6 YPC) and 6 touchdowns, powering an offense that averages 34.3 points per game.
Defensively, NCCU leans on linebacker Max U’Ren (team-high 52 tackles) and defensive back Jelani Vassell (MEAC-leading 3 interceptions). The Eagles have allowed 221 first downs, including 126 through the air, a potential concern against a steadily improving SC State passing attack.
With SC State riding a five-game winning streak and NCCU having won two straight, the matchup features the MEAC’s No. 1 team versus the league’s No. 3 team — both with 7–3 records, both still in contention, and both carrying postseason stakes into Friday night.
Prediction
North Carolina Central’s passing attack gives them the slight edge at home, with Harris and his receivers providing more consistent big-play potential than South Carolina State can match. The Bulldogs’ defense should keep it tight, but NCCU’s balance and red-zone efficiency make the difference late.
How to Watch South Carolina State vs. North Carolina Central
Kickoff for this afternoon’s South Carolina State-North Carolina Central game is set for 5:30 PM Eastern at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, NC.
The game airs live nationally on ESPN2 and streams on the ESPN app and website.
If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch the game for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo TV.
South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. North Carolina Central Eagles
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM Eastern
Venue: O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, Durham, NC
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN app and website
