Norfolk State University will have a chip on its shoulder pads during the upcoming football season.

The Spartans were selected by conference coaches to finish fifth out of six in the MEAC preseason poll.

“I like being picked low,” said second-year Coach Dawson Odums. “We will embrace the underdog role. It gives us something to strive for.”

NSU went 2-9 overall and 2-3 in the MEAC a year ago in Coach Odums’ first season in Norfolk. On the plus side, NSU finished strong with a closing 43-38 win at South Carolina State.

The predicted order of finish this season is North Carolina Central first, followed by Howard, S.C. State, Morgan State, NSU and Delaware State.

Four Spartans were named to the MEAC All-Preseason second team, including junior defensive back R.J. Coles from Varina High.

Coles had 56 tackles in 2022, along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Other NSU players on the second team are defensive lineman Anthony Blume, offensive lineman Vincent Byrd and defensive back Joseph White.

NSU opens Sept. 2 against Virginia State in the Labor Day Classic and then travels Sept. 9 to play at Hampton University, now a member of the newly named Coastal (formerly Colonial) Athletic Conference.

The crystal ball for Hampton’s Pirates looks even worse. Coach Robert Prunty’s squad has been selected to finish 15 out of 15 in the CAA.

HU finished last season 4-7 overall and 1-5 in the CAA, while dropping its final five games.

Getting off to a fast start won’t be easy. HU will open Sept. 2 against Grambling, La., State in the Brick City HBCU Classic in Harrison, N.J., Red Bull Arena.