2010 SoCon preseason predictions

[The Cats]

OK, it's time to tell everybody how you think the SoCon will line up this year.

I'm sure ASU and Elon will be 1,2 (in some order) and I'm particularly interested to see where everyone projects the Catamounts this season. I know my projections would probably be overly optimistic at this point, so I'll keep them to myself for a while.

So have at it - your pre-season predictions:

[g-webb1994]

1. ASU
2. Furman
3. Georgia Southern
4. Chattanooga
5. Elon
6. Wofford
7. Western Carolina
8. Samford
9. Citadel

I see FU and GSU returning to their expected high standard.

That Appy/Chatty game in week one will be a dandy. If Chatty can pull the upset, then that could really springboard the Mocs up the standing IMO, since they also get GSU and Elon at Finley.

Western will be better, the battle for the jug in November could actually be a barn-burner this year. I could easily see WCU pulling an upset up in Cullowheeee against Appy or Chatty.

Go ahead and bring that weak Catamount ass into Boiling Springs on September 18 to get another mudhole stomped in it!

[The Cats]

Come on 94, I was looking for some realistic projections.... you've got to be kidding with FU 2d and GSU 3d.

[Skjellyfetti]

That Appy/Chatty game in week one will be a dandy. If Chatty can pull the upset, then that could really springboard the Mocs up the standing IMO, since they also get GSU and Elon at Finley.

Yup. The Chatty game worries me. We've laid duds at the beginning of the season the last couple of years... and breaking in a new QB on the road against Huesman's defense will not be easy. HUGE game.

Here's my prediction:

1. Appalachian State
2. Furman
3. Chattnooga
4. Elon
5. Wofford
6. Georgia Southern
7. Samford
8. Western Carolina
9. Citadel

It is really a mess and should be an interesting season. I think Western and Citadel will remain at the bottom... but, other than that it's really a crap shoot. I can't wait for football season.

[Pwns]

Chatty will be good on defense but offensively they will struggle. They are losing their playmaker Blue Cooper and also the only decent RB they have.

By the way, Jelly, you left out The Citadel.

[Biff]

I think putting The Citadel towards the bottom is a safe bet considering we will have a new offense, new defense, and a knob QB.

How about ...

1 - 3 Furman, Elon, ASU
4 - 6 Chattnooga, Wofford, Samford
7 - 9 The Citadel, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina

[JConnolly]

I'm gunna say that this will definitely be an improved conference from last year. Wofford could be a dark horse if they can manage to avoid the injury bug that got them last year.

1. App State
2. Elon
3. Furman
4. Wofford
5. Samford
6. GA Southern
7. Chatty
8. Citadel
9. Western Carolina

[Saint3333]

Just like 2009 the SoCon is wide open this year. Plenty of questions going into the season.

Furman - How will Forcier do as the full time starter? Will the new blood at assistant coaches be enough to overcome Lamb's history. Can they end the losing streak to ASU at haunted Rock.

ASU - only loses 5 starters, but two big questions. Which of the two QB will step up and drive the offense and will the new DTs provide enough depth to stop the run.

Elon - Will the turnover of the o-line be replaced to protect Riddle and provide an adequate running game. We will also find out if 3 solid WR equal 1 great WR.

Wofford - can they stay healthy, if so should be in the top half of the SoCon

GSU - switching back to the triple option will be difficult, but they will be back, the question is how many years will it take. One thing I know is GSU will give ASU everything they want and more, just like ASU did the year following a blow out.

UTC - defense will be solid, can they score - really don't look forward to ASU playing their first game in Nooga

Samford - lost 4 o-lineman on the two deep as well as 4-5 starters on defense. A solid team, but likely still in the bottom half of the conference.

WCU - talent is getting better, will the depth be there to climb out of the bottom third of the SoCon?

Citadel - another team making the offensive switch, but with fewer athletes. Also off the field troubles this spring hurt.

The only team I fill comfortable picking a spot for preseason is the Citadel in last.

[SpeedkingATL]

1-ASU-Still loaded with talent and a favorible conference schedule with Elon, Furman and Wofford all coming to The Rock. 2 of 3 OOC at home and very winable too.

2-Elon-They have the QB and historically a good defense. When will they finally breakthrough with that landmark victory? Hopefully not this year.

3-Furman-Should be a much improved team as they were an underachiever last year. Forcier looked pretty good in limited "trash time" play against ASU and moble QBs historically give ASU fits. ASU game this year is at Lambs personal house of horrors.

4-UTC-Good defense and good QB play make this team a threat. Home opener against Apps could make or break the season. First start for an unproven QB for Apps.

5-Samford-Another team that plays solid defense and has good QB and RB. Need to learn how to win some of the close games to be a factor.

6-Wofford-They'll be much healthier this year and still run that option very effectively. Every team knows they are in a battle with this group of overachievers every year.

7-WCU-This is the year that some good recruits and stability start to pay off for the Cats. Probably not a breakout season but they won't be in the basement.

8-GSU-Change back to the option will take a little time but they do have the QB to help acclerate the transition. The defense will need to improve for the Eagles to finish in the top half of the conference. The fan base will really be behind this team now which will make them a very tough out at home.

9-Changing the offense and the limitations of a military school will make for a difficult year. These guys are disiplined and tough and or never an easy win, at least for ASU.

Those are my guesses and I would not be surprised to see any team expect possible the Citdogs to rise or fall 3 or 4 places. I don't see ASU and Elon as that much better than the field like many people, but feel the home schedule and OOC schedule favor ASU (even with UFla in November).

[OL FU]

1. Appalachian State
2. Furman ( hope springs eternal)
3. Elon
4. Samford
5. Wofford
6. UTC
7. GSU
8. Western Carolina
9. Bellhops.

I think 2 through 5 are going be close and 6 through 7 will be also.

The Citadel might pull the surprise but I have my doubts with a first year switch to the option and a head coach that has never run it
( at least I have never heard of him running it)

[OL FU]

Come on 94, I was looking for some realistic projections.... you've got to be kidding with FU 2d and GSU 3d.

I agree on GSU too many changes but I think you might be surprised at how many people might pick FU 2. Yeah ASU ran them off the field last year but part of the problem was that ASU jumped out early and FU never recovered. Remember FU finished third and played Elon neck and neck. If the defense makes moderate improvements this year, 2nd is extremely likely.

[Biff]

The Citadel might pull the surprise but I have my doubts with a first year switch to the option and a head coach that has never run it
( at least I have never heard of him running it)

Higgins has never coached the TO. He hired an entire staff that has: OC Tommy Laurendine from Lenoir-Rhyne (last year had second best offense in DII); Slot Back Coach Everett Sands (Citadel '93) and has been the running backs coach for 4 seasons; and OL coach from VMI (Bob Bodine coached at GSU 97-02). Higgins has also turned over play calling duties to the OC.

I think there will be some surprises, but we are changing somethings on Defense as well including a few new faces. So as a Citadel fan, I am not expecting a lot, but looking to see vast improvements as the years goes on.

[ASUG8]

I appreciate all the confidence in ASU this season, but I'm not bold enough to defitely pick them that high until I hear a bit more about how the QB situation resolves itself. I think we'll be solid on both lines, our secondary should be good, and the WR corps are virtually unchanged from last season. Devon Moore at RB is good to see, and I think either QB choice will be a good one but will likely be several steps down from what we've become accustomed to for the last 4 yrs. Getting past Chatty will be a good test, then a couple of opportunities to tune up some on some OOC games before launching headlong into the regular season. Chatty, Wofford, Elon, and Furman especially bother me this season,and GSU and Samford can be spoilers as well.

[Pwns]

Same old chorus...folks picking GSU 6th or worse. It was pretty much the same thing before 2008 and 2009. We basically finished fourth last year (had the same record as Chatty but beat them head-to-head) with the second-worst offense we have ever had and a so-so defense. GSU has some key advantages that will help us this year...

1. Playing App. State and Elon at home
2. Defense should be improved (should have a better DC, fewer freshman jitters)
3. Offense should be better (the bar is set pretty low, but Monken and Davis know how to run this offense)
4. All three of the teams that were better than us last year won't be as good as they were last year (Furman might be the only exception)

I see us finishing anywhere from second to fifth.

[OL FU]

The Citadel might pull the surprise but I have my doubts with a first year switch to the option and a head coach that has never run it
( at least I have never heard of him running it)

Higgins has never coached the TO. He hired an entire staff that has: OC Tommy Laurendine from Lenoir-Rhyne (last year had second best offense in DII); Slot Back Coach Everett Sands (Citadel '93) and has been the running backs coach for 4 seasons; and OL coach from VMI (Bob Bodine coached at GSU 97-02). Higgins has also turned over play calling duties to the OC.

I think there will be some surprises, but we are changing somethings on Defense as well including a few new faces. So as a Citadel fan, I am not expecting a lot, but looking to see vast improvements as the years goes on.

Which is one of the reasons I am glad we play you guys early and hate that we play GSU late. both teams should improve as they get reps in the system.

[BDKJMU]

ASU - only loses 5 starters, but two big questions. Which of the two QB will step up and drive the offense and will the new DTs provide enough depth to stop the run.

Non So-Con person butting in here, but according to the ASU 2010 prospectus I saw put out by ASU, ASU loses 6 starters. Here, I copied and pasted that part:

Offensive Starters
Returning (9): LG Pat Mills, C Brett Irvin, RG Matt Ruff, RT Orry Frye,
TE Ben Jorden, WR Matt Cline, WR Blake Elder, WR Brian Quick,
RB Devon Moore
Lost (2): LT Mario Acitelli, QB Armanti Edwards
Defensive Starters
Returning (7): LE Lanston Tanyi, RE Jabari Fletcher, LB D.J. Smith,
LB Justin Lloyd, S Dominique McDuffie, S Mark LeGree, RCB Ed Gainey
Lost (4): LT Malcolm Bennett, RT Anthony Williams, MLB Jacque Roman,
LCB Cortez Gilbert

Still, after not have lost a league game in 2 yrs, unless your new QB really struggles, I'd be shocked if ASU didn't at least share for the So-Con title if not win it outright.

[SpiritCymbal]

1 - 3 Furman, Elon, ASU
4 - 6 Chattnooga, Wofford, Samford
7 - 9 The Citadel, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina

I can't really argue with that.

I find it funny to find so many GSU fans who think that all we need to do is roll a blue and white helmet into the endzone and plop a 10 page playbook down on the 50 to magically become the best team in 1-aa again in 1 year. It's one of the few times that with the exception of the coaching staff, the people who know the 3-0 the best will be sitting in the stands...not playing the game. Getting Jaybo Shaw definitely is going to help with the transition, but it's going to be pretty ugly in Statesboro this first year.

[AppStateAlumQC]

1. Appalachian State
2. Furman
3. Elon
4. Wofford
5. Chattanooga
6. Georgia Southern
7. Samford
8. Western Carolina
9. Citadel

Getting Furman, Elon, and Wofford at home is big for the Apps. The trip to Statesboro on 11/6 will be big as usual.

[The Cats]

I've seen enough.....

1. Appalachian State
2. Elon
3. Samford
4. Furman
5. Chattanooga
6. Western Carolina
7. Wofford
8. Georgia Southern
9. Citadel

[g-webb1994]

Getting Furman, Elon, and Wofford at home is big for the Apps.

This is why Appy gets the inside track to repeat as conference champs, regardless of the QB situation.

Also Alum QC, I enjoy your signature. Very entertaining.

[Mountaineer]

Also Alum QC, I enjoy your signature. Very entertaining.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wnok2d/1

You're welcome.

[g-webb1994]

Also Alum QC, I enjoy your signature. Very entertaining.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wnok2d/1

You're welcome.

need to go find me an altar somewhere.....G-W never had ladies like that when I was there, they all resembled something you would find on a pawn shop sign instead......

[catamount man]

1- Elon
2- Furman
3- ASU
4- Wofford
5- WCU
6- UTC
7- Georgia Southern
8- Samford
9- El Cid

[Grizalltheway]

1- Elon
2- Furman
3- ASU
4- Wofford
5- WCU
6- UTC
7- Georgia Southern
8- Samford
9- El Cid

That's cute, it really is.

[AppStateAlumQC]

Getting Furman, Elon, and Wofford at home is big for the Apps.

This is why Appy gets the inside track to repeat as conference champs, regardless of the QB situation.

Also Alum QC, I enjoy your signature. Very entertaining.

Thanks man And I agree with your comments I just hope we stay healthy (CoCo Hillary).

Also Alum QC, I enjoy your signature. Very entertaining.

http://tinypic.com/r/2wnok2d/1

You're welcome.

she rock her hips...she rock her hips