We could be on the verge of a significant move in FCS.
As first reported by HBCU Gameday, Florida A&M will hold a vote on whether to leave the MEAC for the SWAC.
Florida A&M originally joined the MEAC in 1979 and stands as one of the conference's most prominent members. The Rattlers have won 15 black national championships -- including in 2019 -- and claimed the Division I-AA title in 1978. The program also claims 37 conference titles, most recently in 2010.
Travel is listed as a major reason why FAMU is considering the move. As members of the MEAC's South Division, Florida A&M competes against one Florida school (Bethune-Cookman), South Carolina State, and two North Carolina schools in NC A&T and NC Central.
However, North Carolina A&T is currently preparing for its final season in the MEAC before joining the Big South in 2021. There, they will join another former MEAC rival in Hampton, who left the MEAC for the Big South in 2018.
Obviously, a Florida A&M departure would compound the MEAC's problem. If FAMU leaves, Bethune-Cookman would become the conference's only Florida school, putting B-CU 344 miles away from its nearest conference bunk mate.
Florida A&M would join the SWAC's East Division, which presently consists of Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State.
Moving would put FAMU within 500 miles of each division rival while also sheltering the Rattlers in a conference that is not in danger of disintegrating. The SWAC, according to the HBCU Gameday report, also has greater media exposure than the MEAC.
If approved, Florida A&M could become a SWAC member as early as the 2021 football season.