Coaches often speak of parity in the league and that was no more prevalent than during the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football campaign as five teams finished in a tie for the top spot in the league standings.

The SC State Bulldogs were one of those five teams; however, upstart Morgan State held the tiebreaker among the five teams in earning the league's automatic berth to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. Joining the Bulldogs and Bears in the log jam at the top of the standings were North Carolina A&T, NC Central and Bethune-Cookman.

The 2015 race for the MEAC title should be just as fierce and hard-fought and the Bulldogs, once again, are expected to be among the favorites. And, this year, the pot has been sweeten as the league has chosen to forego its automatic berth in the playoffs (albeit league teams could still earn an at-large appearance) and team with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in the postseason Celebration Bowl, hosted by ESPN. The champion from the two leagues will meet in the prestigious contest December 19 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The contest brings with it a hefty payday for the participating teams and SC State and head coach Buddy Pough would like to be the first MEAC team to represent the conference in the prestigious contest.

The goal is certainly achievable for the Bulldogs who return 15 lettermen on offense, including eight starters, and 22 lettermen on defense, among them nine starters. The top special team players – including the punter, kicker and kick returners from 2014 are also back.

Heading the returnees on offense, which is expected to be improved, are quarterback Adrian Kollock, Jr., running back Jalen "Scoot" Simmons, who became the Bulldogs' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2009, wide receiver Taquan West, and a seasoned offensive line, anchored by tackle Javarius Leamon.

The Bulldog defense was very productive last season and is expected to be just as strong or stronger this season. An experienced unit will be spearheaded by All-America nose tackle Javon Hargrave, who reaped multiple postseason honors last year, ends Reggie Owens and Greg Newell, linebackers Darius Leonard and Shaquan Brock, and defensive backs Antonio Hamilton and Chris Pauling.

The Bulldogs had to rely on freshmen at the all-important placekicker and punter positions last season but got solid performances from kicker Tyler Scandrett and punter Jerome Pettiway, respectively. With a year of experience behind them, they are expected to be improved this year. Antonio Hamilton, who earned postseason honors as a punt returner, heads the return specialists.