NC Central vs Delaware State game
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
NC Central (2-5) visits Delaware State (4-3) Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 in Dover, Delaware.
It's the MEAC opener for both teams, with the Eagles on a four-game skid.
Background
North Carolina Central is a 2-5 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) football team that has lost four straight games and comes in off a bye week. Delaware State, coached by DeSean Jackson, is 4-3 and hosts the game at Alumni Stadium (7,000) in Dover, Delaware. Neither team has played a conference game yet this season, making this NC Central's MEAC opener.
How it unfolded
- Sep 12, 2026NC Central beat NC A&T 30-22; Delaware State beat BWST 21-6.
- Sep 19, 2026NC Central lost at Gardner-Webb 20-44; Delaware State lost at USF 17-59.
- Sep 26, 2026NC Central lost at East Carolina 9-42; Delaware State beat Towson 33-28.
- Oct 3, 2026NC Central lost to Campbell 31-38; Delaware State lost at Albany 3-28.
- Oct 10, 2026NC Central lost to William & Mary 14-17; Delaware State beat Franklin Pierce 34-0.
- Oct 21, 2026NCCU Athletics announces the Eagles will open MEAC play at Delaware State.
- Oct 23, 2026NC Central (2-5) at Delaware State (4-3), 5:00 p.m. ET at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware, on ESPN2; Delaware State favored by -5.5 with a total of 55.5.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Sports Betting Dime predicts Delaware State covers at home in a game that stays under 53.5 points.
- Analysts
- Action Network picks the Under 55.5, expecting a sloppy, lower-scoring game with backup quarterbacks.
- Caution
- Action Network notes Delaware State's defense has allowed 14 of 18 red-zone trips to become touchdowns against FCS teams, while NC Central has scored touchdowns on just 13-of-27 red-zone trips.
- Support
- Action Network says NC Central grades out as the second-best pass coverage unit in the MEAC, per PFF.