The eighth installment of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney features Bethune-Cookman of the MEAC against Isaiah Crowell and his newest team Alabama State of the SWAC. The game will be held Sunday, Sept. 2, at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando (noon ET on ESPN).

The yearly event features teams from two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Conferences. The game marks the first time that one school, Bethune-Cookman, which beat Prairie View 63-14 in 2011, has appeared in back-to-back years. Alabama State (led by Coach Reggie Barlow) returns having last played in the event in 2005.

“It’s definitely a big game,” Barlow said. “Bethune-Cookman has a great team. They’ve played some good football in the MEAC over the last two years. With this being my sixth year, I’m looking to see how our guys measure up against a great team like Bethune-Cookman. I want to see if we can handle their speed. I’m also looking forward to our student-athletes getting to travel to a great city and get to experience playing in a great venue there.”

Since 2005 the MEAC has dominated the challenge, but with new hopeful Isaish Crowell at Alabama many are speculating a turn around for the SWAC. Referenced