ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion and No. 24-ranked South Carolina State will make seven nationally televised appearances during the 2026 football season, highlighting one of the most visible schedules in the Football Championship Subdivision.

The Bulldogs enter the season after capturing back-to-back MEAC championships under third-year head coach Chennis Berry. South Carolina State also claimed the 2025 Cricket Wireless HBCU National Championship with a thrilling victory over Prairie View A&M in the Cricket Celebration Bowl.

South Carolina State opens the 2026 campaign on Saturday, Aug. 29, hosting Savannah State at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. The Bulldogs will then travel to Miami Gardens, Florida, to face Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

Conference play will feature five additional national television appearances as the Bulldogs continue their pursuit of a third consecutive MEAC championship.

South Carolina State hosts Norfolk State on Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+ before traveling to Morgan State for a nationally televised Thursday night matchup on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

The Bulldogs return to ESPNU on Nov. 5 for a key MEAC showdown at Howard beginning at 5 p.m. South Carolina State closes the regular season with wildcard television selections against North Carolina Central on Nov. 14 and Delaware State on Nov. 21. Broadcast network assignments for both contests will be announced at a later date.

The 2026 Cricket Celebration Bowl, featuring the MEAC champion and Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, at noon on ABC.

South Carolina State 2026 National Television Schedule

• Aug. 29 — Savannah State at South Carolina State, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Sept. 6 — Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State (Orange Blossom Classic), 3 p.m. (ESPN)
• Oct. 24 — Norfolk State at South Carolina State, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Oct. 29 — South Carolina State at Morgan State, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
• Nov. 5 — South Carolina State at Howard, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
• Nov. 14 — North Carolina Central at South Carolina State, 1:30 p.m. (Wildcard/TBD)
• Nov. 21 — Delaware State at South Carolina State, 1:30 p.m. (Wildcard/TBD)

2026 MEAC Football Television Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 29

• South Carolina State vs. Savannah State, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Howard vs. Alabama A&M, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Sunday, Sept. 6

• Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State, 3 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Sept. 12

• North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)

Saturday, Oct. 10

• Morgan State vs. Robert Morris, Noon (ESPN+)
• North Carolina Central vs. William & Mary, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

Saturday, Oct. 17

• Howard vs. Morehouse, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Friday, Oct. 23

• Delaware State vs. North Carolina Central, 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday, Oct. 24

• Morgan State vs. Howard, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)
• South Carolina State vs. Norfolk State, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Thursday, Oct. 29

• Morgan State vs. South Carolina State, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, Oct. 31

• North Carolina Central vs. Howard, 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Norfolk State vs. Delaware State, 2 p.m. (ESPN+)

Thursday, Nov. 5

• Howard vs. South Carolina State, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)

Saturday, Nov. 7

• Delaware State vs. Morgan State, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central, Noon (ESPN+)

Saturday, Nov. 14 (Wildcard)

• Howard vs. Delaware State, 1 p.m. (TBD)
• Morgan State vs. Norfolk State, Noon (TBD)
• South Carolina State vs. North Carolina Central, 1:30 p.m. (TBD)

Saturday, Nov. 21 (Wildcard)

• South Carolina State vs. Delaware State, 1:30 p.m. (TBD)
• Norfolk State vs. Howard, Noon (TBD)
• North Carolina Central vs. Morgan State, 2 p.m. (TBD)

Saturday, Dec. 12

• Cricket Celebration Bowl, Noon (ABC)