Can I go out on a limb and say that this year’s Florida Clasic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman is going to be the game of the year in the MEAC?
Sure, its a battle for second place in the conference, but this is going to be an off-the-hook game. The Rattler offense, tops in scoring in the MEAC, takes on a Wildcat defense that is best in the conference at not letting teams score. And when you consider that this is the primary chance for FAMU and BC to stick it to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, and that this game might reveal the 2009 conference champion, you have the makings for a magical game in the hometown of the Magic Kingdom.
Earlier in the year, the presidents of Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman issued a joint statement denouncing the willingness of the MEAC to move the MEAC/SWAC Challenge to Orlando, the host city for the Florida Classic since 1997. Their legitimate financial and promotional concerns about two black college football classics within months of each other in the same city was met with little concern from MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas.
Thomas was right about one thing; the MEAC/SWAC Challenge probably won’t affect the turnout for the Florida Classic. But what it might affect is the level of excitement for the MEAC/SWAC in 2009, because the 10,000-plus fans drawn by Hampton and Jackson State won’t come close to the crowd FAMU and BC will draw. The sponsorship and advertising opportunities stand to go much further at the Florida Classic, and companies will learn this very quickly.
Just like we’ll learn which of these teams will be the 2009 MEAC champion.
Offensively, the best of the Rattlers are an mix of explosive sophomores and juniors. Curtis Pulley, LeRoy Vann, Phillip Sylvester, Isaac West and Adrian Smith, they are all back next season. The Wildcats will lose a lot in Corey Council on special teams and safety sack master Travis Roland, but will retain Brian Sumlar in the back field and a significant portion of their offensive line.
And if these two teams with these players stay the course, you could be looking at next year’s MEAC champion, and possibly, candidates for Player of the Year in 2009.
A Florida Classic indeed.
ANDREW LOVETTE 3:50 am on February 26, 2009 Permalink
YES I AGREE, FUNNY IS HOW I GRADUATED FROM FAMU IN 96, AND PLAYED BASKETBALL, AND MY DAD ATTENDED FAMU ALSO. NOW I AM A WILDCAT CAUSE MY LIL BRO PLAYS FOOTBALL FOR THE WILDCATS, ANDRONICUS LOVETTE, AND MY MOM IS REICEVING HER MASTER FROM THERE IN MAY, SO NOW THE CLASSIC HAS BECOME SO MUCH MORE TO ME. ITS THE BEST CLASSIC EVER. BRINGS FAMILY TOGETHER, LOVIN IT.
DREW
JC 11:01 pm on February 26, 2009 Permalink
This blog is quickly becoming a Rattler hangout.
Even though I’m a Golden Bear, I love it.
corey harris 2:49 pm on March 24, 2009 Permalink
i need to know when is the florida classic week begins and is it gonna be held in orlando as usual