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Appalachian State

• Last year's record: 11-3 (8-0 SoCon)

• Coach: Jerry Moore (178-73 in 20 seasons at ASU, 205-121-2 in 27 seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: 2008, reached NCAA FCS quarterfinals

• Strengths: The return of offensive catalyst Armanti Edwards and nine starters on defense.

• Weaknesses: Unproven punter, some lingering questions at bandit linebacker and nickel.

• Best returning players: QB Armanti Edwards, RB Devon Moore, WR CoCo Hillary, WR Brian Quick, TE Ben Jorden, OT Mario Acitelli, DE Jabari Fletcher, LB Jacque Roman, LB D.J. Smith, S Mark LeGree, CB Cortez Gilbert

• Best newcomers: QB Travaris Cadet, WR Tony Washington, LB Jeremy Kimbrough, DB Troy Sanders, DB Demetrius McCray, DB Justin Wray

• Key losses: LB Pierre Banks, OT Jonathan Bieschke, OT Brad Coley

• Key to the season: Edwards staying healthy. Otherwise, the Mountaineers appear to have a winning combination with a large group of veterans and talented crop of newcomers.

• Big games: Sept. 5 at East Carolina; Sept. 12 vs. McNeese State; Oct. 17 at Wofford; Nov. 14 at Elon.

• They'll beat… McNeese State, Samford, The Citadel, N.C. Central, Wofford, Georgia Southern, Furman, Chattanooga, Elon and Western Carolina.

• They'll lose to… East Carolina.



Chattanooga

• Last year's record: 1-11 (0-8 SoCon)

• Coach: Russ Huesman (first season)

• Last playoff appearance: 1984 (NCAA Division I-AA first round)

• Strengths: The biggest improvement could be the offensive line. There's also much excitement about quarterback B.J. Coleman, a hometown high-school star who has transferred from Tennessee.

• Weaknesses: The Mocs have plenty to deal with, after scoring just 12.8 points a game and allowing 37.9 last season.

• Best returning players: OL Chris Harr, WR Blue Cooper, LB Joseph Thornton, CB Buster Skrine

• Best newcomers: QB B.J. Coleman, RB Chris Awuah, WR Terrance Davis , DE Joshua Williams

• Key losses: RB Errol Wynn, OL William Giles

• Keys to the season: The Mocs have a new coach in Huesman, a former defensive back at Chattanooga and defensive coordinator at Richmond who replaces Rodney Allison. They also have plenty of returning players, with 16 of 22 starters back. More than one win is likely, but there won't be a breakthrough in a season in which the Mocs are ineligible for a championship and postseason play because of academic-performance sanctions imposed by the NCAA.

• Big games: Oct. 10 at Samford; Oct. 31 vs. Western Carolina; Nov. 21 at Alabama.

• They'll beat… Glenville State and Presbyterian.

• They'll lose to… Furman, Wofford, Samford, Georgia Southern, Elon, Western Carolina, Appalachian, The Citadel and Alabama.



citadel

• Last year's record: 4-8 (2-6 SoCon)

• Coach: Kevin Higgins (20-25 in four seasons at The Citadel, 76-50-1 in 11 seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: 1992 (NCAA Division I-AA quarterfinals).

• Strengths: Nine starters return on defense. So does Andre Roberts, who ranked No. 2 in the FCS in receptions last season.

• Weaknesses: Injuries in preseason camp have taken their toll on an already young offense. The Bulldogs will enter the season particularly thin at running back.

• Best returning players: QB Bart Blanchard, WR Andre Roberts, OL Daniel DeHaven, OL Thomas Suggs, DL Terrence Reese, LB Mel Capers, LB Jordon Gilmore

• Best newcomers: RB Van Dyke Jones, WR Greg Adams, DL Keith Carter

• Key losses: TE Taylor Cornett, DL Kevin McCaskill, P Mark Kaspar

• Keys to the season: For the first time in three seasons, the Bulldogs failed to increase their yearly win total under Higgins. The Bulldogs are tough at home but didn't win on the road last season and will be challenged to do so this year.

• Big games: Sept. 5 at North Carolina; Sept. 19 at Princeton; Oct. 3 vs. Appalachian; Oct. 24 vs. Furman; Nov. 7 vs. Wofford.

• They'll beat… Princeton, Presbyterian, Furman, Samford and Chattanooga.

• They'll lose to… North Carolina, Appalachian, Elon, Western Carolina, Wofford and Georgia Southern.



Elon

• Last year's record: 8-4 (6-2 SoCon)

• Coach: Pete Lembo (20-14 in three seasons at Elon, 64-28 in nine seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: None in NCAA Division I

• Strengths: The Phoenix has made great strides under Lembo, improving its wins total each of his three seasons. This season, with the highest number of returning starters in the SoCon (9 on offense, 9 on defense), the Phoenix should have enough confidence and experience for a breakthrough to the playoffs.

• Weaknesses: Kicking game, punting.

• Best returning players: QB Scott Riddle, RB Brandon Newsome, WR Terrell Hudgins, G David Harrison, NG Eric Ludwig, DE Brandon Ward, LB Joshua Jones, LB Brandon Wiggins, CB Karlos Sullivan, DB Nolan Ward, SS Walker White

• Best newcomers: WR Rasaun Rorie, SS Blake Thompson

• Key losses: P Brandon Lane, K Andrew Wilcox, LB Corey Weaver

• Keys to the season: Finishing strong. Elon was headed toward a first FCS playoff berth last season but lost three of its last four games.

• Big games: Sept. 19 at Wake Forest; Sept. 26 vs. Georgia Southern; Nov. 14 vs. Appalachian State.

• They'll beat… Davidson, Presbyterian, Georgia Southern, Furman, The Citadel, Chattanooga, Western Carolina and Samford.

• They'll lose to… Wake Forest, Wofford and Appalachian.



Furman

• Last year's record: 7-5 (4-4 SoCon)

• Coach: Bobby Lamb (56-29 in seven seasons at Furman)

• Last playoff appearance: 2006 (NCAA Division I-AA first round).

• Strengths: Jordan Sorrells, who passed for 2,537 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, will be a senior, and the offense could be much better than it was in 2008.

• Weakness: Only four starters return on defense.

• Best returning players: QB Jordan Sorrells, RB Mike Brown, WR Adam Mims, DT Justin Brown, LB Brandon Williams, S Max Lerner

• Best newcomers: QB Chris Forcier, WR Tyler Maples, RB Jerodis Williams

• Key losses: OT Joel Bell, CB William Middleton

• Keys to the season: The Paladins will have to endure playing two FBS opponents on the road -- Missouri and Auburn -- and the closing stretch is tough, with the last four games against Appalachian State, Auburn, Georgia Southern and Wofford.

• Big games: Sept. 19 at Missouri; Oct. 3 vs. Elon; Oct. 31 vs. Appalachian; Nov. 7 at Auburn; Nov. 21 vs. Wofford.

• They'll beat… Presbyterian, Chattanooga, Western Carolina, Samford and Wofford.

• They'll lose to… Missouri, Elon, The Citadel, Appalachian, Auburn and Georgia Southern.



Georgia Southern

• Last year's record: 6-5 (4-4 SoCon)

• Coach: Chris Hatcher (13-9 in two seasons at Georgia Southern, 89-21 in nine seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: 2005 (NCAA Division I-AA first round).

• Strengths: Three seniors return on the offensive line, and the kicking game is now manned by veteran players.

• Weaknesses: The Eagles had the top passing offense in the SoCon last season and will throw a lot again, but they'll will have to find some new targets because the returning receivers having combined for just two catches for 39 yards.

• Best returning players: QB Lee Chapple, C Trey Dunmon, G Jonathan Loving, OT Cole Fountain, LB Dion DuBose, CB Darrell Pasco, CB Ronnie Wiggins

• Best newcomers: WR Jamere Valentine, WR J.J. Wilcox, DB Darius Eubanks, CB Laron Scott

• Key losses: WR Raja Andrews, LB Chris Covington, DE Dakota Walker

• Keys to the season: The Eagles are up against a potentially killer road stretch that includes games against Elon, Wofford, North Carolina and Appalachian in a five-week span.

• Big games: Sept. 26 at Elon; Oct. 3 at Wofford; Oct. 10 at North Carolina; Oct. 24 at Appalachian.

• They'll beat… Albany, Western Carolina, Chattanooga, Furman and The Citadel.

• They'll lose to… South Dakota State, Elon, Wofford, North Carolina, Appalachian and Samford.



Samford

• Last year's record: 6-5 (4-4 SoCon)

• Coach: Pat Sullivan (10-12 in two seasons at Samford, 34-54-1 in eight seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: 1992 (NCAA Division I-AA first round).

• Strengths: Chris Evans, who led the SoCon with 1,284 yards rushing as a sophomore, is a proven strength, and the defensive line returns basically intact.

• Weaknesses: The Bulldogs didn't have many seniors last season, but Coach Pat Sullivan said that the ones they had provided vital leadership. The Bulldogs will have to find some new leaders.

• Best returning players: QB Dustin Taliaferro, RB Chris Evans, WR Jonathan Lowery, DE Patrick Hatcher, LB Bryce Smith

• Best newcomers: WR Mason Wald, OL George Allers, LB Terrell Hill

• Key losses: OL Mitchell Waters, OL Tommy Smith, LB Rodney Shephard

• Keys to the season: Samford turned out to be a young team with no fear in its first season of SoCon play. The defense allowed just 18.8 points a game -- the best average in the league -- and the offense seldom hurt itself with turnovers. Opponents know more of what to expect this season.

• Big games: Sept. 5 at Central Florida; Sept. 26 at Appalachian; Nov. 7 vs. Georgia Southern.

• They'll beat… Jacksonville, Miles, Western Carolina, Chattanooga and Georgia Southern.

• They'll lose to… Central Florida, Appalachian, Furman, The Citadel, Wofford and Elon.



Western Carolina

• Last year's record: 3-9 (1-7 SoCon)

• Coach: Dennis Wagner (3-9 in one season at WCU, 47-46-1 in nine seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: 1983 (NCAA Division I-AA runner-up)

• Strength: Defense should be improved with more seniors in the lineup.

• Weaknesses: Unproven at running back,


and still many positions on offense manned by younger players.

• Best returning players: QB Zack Jaynes, C Victor Aquilina, WR Marquell Pittman, DL Gene Singletary, LB Adrian McLeod, DB Mitchell Bell, DB Chris Collins

• Best newcomers: RB Mike Johnson, WR D.J. McLendon, DL Quevalas Murray, LB Jordan Williams

• Key losses: DE Jeff Bradley, LB Quintin Phillips, RB Quan Warley

• Keys to the season: The Catamounts extricated themselves from last place in the Southern Conference under fiery first-year coach Dennis Wagner. Finding a way to finish and win close games could boost the wins total.

• Big games: Sept. 5 at Vanderbilt; Sept. 12 Gardner-Webb; Nov. 21 at Appalachian State.

• They'll beat… Gardner-Webb, The Citadel and Chattanooga.

• They'll lose to… Vanderbilt, Georgia Southern, Furman, Samford, Wofford, Elon, Eastern Kentucky and Appalachian.



Wofford

• Last year's record: 9-3 (7-1 SoCon)

• Coach: Mike Ayers (141-96-1 in 21 seasons at Wofford, 152-117-2 in 24 seasons overall)

• Last playoff appearance: 2008 (NCAA FCS first round).

• Strengths: Always strong running game. The Terriers' Wingbone attack ranked No. 2 in the FCS in rushing and, although there are new faces on the offensive line and at running back, more of the same is expected.

• Weakness: A young defensive backfield could be vulnerable to passing attacks.

• Best returning players: HB Mike Rucker, FB Eric Breitenstein, G Pat Illig, DE Mitch Clark, LB Mike Niam, DB Mychael Johnson, DB Preston Roseboro

• Best newcomers: CB Blake Wylie, CB Stephon Shelton

• Key losses: QB Ben Widmyer, RB Dane Romero, LB Seth Goldwire

• Key to the season: Overcoming some inexperience. The Terriers lost 13 of 22 starters from last year's team that lost by a field goal at James Madison in the playoffs.

• Big games: Sept. 5 at South Florida; Sept. 19 at Wisconsin; Oct. 17 vs. Appalachian; Oct. 31 vs. Elon; Nov. 21 at Furman.

• They'll beat… Charleston Southern, Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, Elon, The Citadel and Samford.

• They'll lose to… South Florida, Wisconsin, Appalachian and Furman.

-- compiled by Tommy Bowman

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009 ... -football/

Would a 5-6 season be enough to end Bobby Lamb's tenure at Furman?
Would a 5-6 season be enough to put Chris Hatcher on the hot seat in Statesboro?

The SoCon might be able to pull three bids out of a season like this, depending on how a few other mid-pack (CAA) teams fare.

Wow. Looks amazingly like the BSC. Two really crappy teams (Chatty & WCU vs UNC & ISU), a bunch of mediocre teams (Citadel, Furman, GSU & Samford vs Sac State, PSU, NAU), two above average teams (Elon & Wofford vs Weber & MSU) & one REALLY good team (ASU vs UM).

Funny how that works.

BeauFoster wrote:Would a 5-6 season be enough to put Chris Hatcher on the hot seat in Statesboro?

Nope. We won't be going 5-6 this year but even if we did, Hatcher has this year and next before he gets on the hot seat. Were going to win 6. If we win more, Hatcher may be buying another year for himself.

BeauFoster wrote:Would a 5-6 season be enough to end Bobby Lamb's tenure at Furman?
Would a 5-6 season be enough to put Chris Hatcher on the hot seat in Statesboro?

The SoCon might be able to pull three bids out of a season like this, depending on how a few other mid-pack (CAA) teams fare.

GSU won't go 5-6, bank on it... so that's a non issue.

blueballs wrote:

BeauFoster wrote:Would a 5-6 season be enough to end Bobby Lamb's tenure at Furman?
Would a 5-6 season be enough to put Chris Hatcher on the hot seat in Statesboro?

The SoCon might be able to pull three bids out of a season like this, depending on how a few other mid-pack (CAA) teams fare.

GSU won't go 5-6, bank on it... so that's a non issue.

you're right........4-7 seems more likely!!