SoCon Coaches Picks

[OL FU]

Coaches Preseason Predicted Order of Finish

Appalachian State (7) 49
Furman (1) 43
Wofford 33
Georgia Southern 30
The Citadel 27
Elon 18
Chattanooga 16
Western Carolina 7


http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&ATCLID=1137688

[OL FU]

Only real surprise is (and just maybe) GSU getting more love than the Citadel.

[dungeonjoe]

Only real surprise is (and just maybe) GSU getting more love than the Citadel.
who voted Furman #1. I think the SoCon poll administrator needs to see if that was a homer vote.:)

[ashram]

Coaches probably can't vote their own team #1, so I'm guessing it was Jerry Moore.

[Mountaineer]

Coaches probably can't vote their own team #1, so I'm guessing it was Jerry Moore.

That would be my guess. xthumbsupx

[blueballs]

Coaches probably can't vote their own team #1, so I'm guessing it was Jerry Moore.

I'd imagine that's right.

[PaladinFan]

that is a testament to how much respect people give GSU, an essentially unknown entity in 2008. You think any other team in the country could overhaul their entire system, a questionmark at quarterback coming off a dismal season and still get voted in the top half of their conference? Nope.

[ashram]

I need to remeber to read the article before posting. Anyway, the coaches' all-SoCon teams are up as well:

Coaches Preseason All-Southern Conference Team



Offensive Player of the Year- Kevin Richardson (Appalachian State)

Defensive Player of the Year- Corey Lynch (Appalachian State)



Offense - First Team

QB- Armanti Edwards (ASU)

RB- Kevin Richardson (ASU)

RB- Jerome Felton (FUR)

OL- Kerry Brown (ASU)

OL- Mario Acitelli (ASU)

OL- Scott Suttle (ASU)

OL- Joel Bell (FUR)

OL- Chris McDowell (CIT)

TE- Chris Truss (FUR)

WR- Jason Foster (GSU)

WR- Terrell Hudgins (ELON)



Offense - Second Team

QB- Duran Lawson (CIT)

RB- Kevious Johnson (WOF)

RB- Cedric Gipson (FUR)

OL- Heath Cockburn (FUR)

OL- Corey McKenna (WOF)

OL- Derek Wooten (WOF)

OL- Russell Orr (GSU)

OL- Reggie Goolsby (FUR)

TE- Taylor Cornett (CIT)

WR- Dexter Jackson (ASU)

WR- Andre Roberts (CIT)



Defense - First Team

DL- Gary Tharrington (ASU)

DL- Trevar Broughton (CIT)

DL- Wallace Artis (FUR)

DL- Justin Brown (FUR)

LB- Pierre Banks (ASU)

LB- Andrew Jones (FUR)

LB- Corey Weaver (ELON)

DB- Corey Lynch (ASU)

DB- Josh Lawson (CIT)

DB- Jerome Touchstone (ASU)

DB- Dan Tavani (WOF)



Defense - Second Team

DL- James Gonsoulin (WOF)

DL- Larry Beard (GSU)

DL- John Martin (WCU)

DL- Charles Profit (UTC)

LB- Willie Rowell (CIT)

LB- Chris Johnson (UTC)

LB- Andrew Thacker (FUR)

DB- Justin Woazeah (ASU)

DB- Austin Holmes (FUR)

DB- Brian Ford (WOF)

DB- Carlton Bailey (WCU)





Specialists - First Team

PK- Julian Rauch (ASU)

P- Brandon Lane (ELON)

RS- Dexter Jackson (ASU)



Specialists - Second Team

PK- Andrew Wilcox (ELON)

P- Chris Tommie (WOF)

RS- Mike Malone (WCU)

http://www.soconsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4000&ATCLID=1137692

[GoldandBlack]

I think GSU's ranking also reflects a heck of a lot of respect for the job Coach Hatcher did at Valdosta State- I think the ranking for a lot of other coaches that might have come in could've been lower.

I still personally think the Citadel is going to be knocking on the door for one of the top three spots, although I don't think it'll happen this year.

No surprises on the pre-season All-Conference Team- loaded from ASU and Furman.

[chattanoogamocs]

I found this interesting so I thought I would share...I was talking about coaches polls to Wes Moore (Lady Mocs basketball coach) last year and asked him how he ranked his teams and where did he put his own squad.

It has been said on numerous occasions that coaches "can't vote their own team first"...which is what I always thought too.

But apparently that is "technically incorrect". What they actually do is not vote for their team at all. They rank the other teams, but leave their own team out completely of their ballot.

I assume, at least in the SoCon, that is how they do it for all coaches polls. Not a big deal either way, but I found it interesting (and it actually makes sense to do it that way).

[Eaglesrus]

I think GSU's ranking also reflects a heck of a lot of respect for the job Coach Hatcher did at Valdosta State- I think the ranking for a lot of other coaches that might have come in could've been lower.

I still personally think the Citadel is going to be knocking on the door for one of the top three spots, although I don't think it'll happen this year.

No surprises on the pre-season All-Conference Team- loaded from ASU and Furman.

I think that may well be a factor, but there's also the number of really close games we lost last year and the number of guys we have back.

[OL FU]

I found this interesting so I thought I would share...I was talking about coaches polls to Wes Moore (Lady Mocs basketball coach) last year and asked him how he ranked his teams and where did he put his own squad.

It has been said on numerous occasions that coaches "can't vote their own team first"...which is what I always thought too.

But apparently that is "technically incorrect". What they actually do is not vote for their team at all. They rank the other teams, but leave their own team out completely of their ballot.

I assume, at least in the SoCon, that is how they do it for all coaches polls. Not a big deal either way, but I found it interesting (and it actually makes sense to do it that way).

I am guessing that is not correct since there are 8 first place votes

[blueballs]

It is interesting to note that GSU's Brandon Jackson was named second team pre-season all american but neither first or second team all conference.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[chattanoogamocs]

I am guessing that is not correct since there are 8 first place votes

You still have 8 coaches, voting for 8 first place teams...they just don't put their own team on the ballot.

Actually, the proof I am right is in the last place team, not the first...Western Carolina got only 7 votes (all of them placing the Catamounts last). They would have to have at least 8 votes if every ballot included WCU, with only 7, they obviously were left off one ballot.

[OL FU]

You still have 8 coaches, voting for 8 first place teams...they just don't put their own team on the ballot.

Actually, the proof I am right is in the last place team, not the first...Western Carolina got only 7 votes (all of them placing the Catamounts last). They would have to have at least 8 votes if every ballot included WCU, with only 7, they obviously were left off one ballot.

That makes sense I wasn't thinkingxnodx

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

that is a testament to how much respect people give GSU, an essentially unknown entity in 2008. You think any other team in the country could overhaul their entire system, a questionmark at quarterback coming off a dismal season and still get voted in the top half of their conference? Nope.

Or a testament to the (lack of) depth of the SoCon! Zing! :p xsmiley_wix

Yeah, I wouldn't put GSU that high, but then again, it wouldn't surprise me to see them finish strong this year. But for a preseason poll, I think it's a bit premature to have them ranked even that high.

[youwouldno]

Thacker is a safety, listed here at LB...

[catamount man]

xnonono2x xsmhx xnonono2x xsmhx xnonono2x :(

This poll depresses me, but we only have ourselves to blame.

GO CATAMOUNTS!!!

[CopperCat]

xnonono2x xsmhx xnonono2x xsmhx xnonono2x :(

This poll depresses me, but we only have ourselves to blame.

GO CATAMOUNTS!!!

Then go out and kick some tail!!! Great teams have to come from somewhere.

[catamount man]

Then go out and kick some tail!!! Great teams have to come from somewhere.

I know that and I pray our coaches and players know that.xthumbsupx

[CopperCat]

I know that and I pray our coaches and players know that.xthumbsupx

I hope they know that too.xnodx

[PaladinFan]

It's strange they listed Thacker as a linebacker. I ws discussing it today with someone. That seems too obvious a mistake to place a guy who has been the defensive freshmn of the year and an all conference player at safety in as a linebacker. He's a known entity in the SoCon.

My thought is either someone made a big mistake in their writing, or that the Paladins have put #8 up closer to the line.

[seantaylor]

Both Jackson and Bynum from GSU got robbed. Our secondary is going to be amazing this year.

[WCU LawCat]

All we need to do is get everyone on the same page...thats it. There is tallent in Cullowhee.

[T-Dog]

It is interesting to note that GSU's Brandon Jackson was named second team pre-season all american but neither first or second team all conference.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

So was Washington, our LSU transfer. 2nd team All-American but not on this list.

Of course, it doesn't matter much to me, I'm just stating the facts.

And add me to the list shocked to see GaSo higer than El Cit.

[Eaglesrus]

So was Washington, our LSU transfer. 2nd team All-American but not on this list.

Of course, it doesn't matter much to me, I'm just stating the facts.

And add me to the list shocked to see GaSo higer than El Cit.

Hmmm....maybe they know something that you don't?

[BULLDOG8180]

.

I still personally think the Citadel is going to be knocking on the door for one of the top three spots, although I don't think it'll happen this year.



I believe this IS the year, but more importantly the players believe it!

This Citadel team has a lot of offensive weapons and some players on Defense. If Lawson can stay healthy- look out big three!

[Mountaineer]

All we need to do is get everyone on the same page...thats it. There is tallent in Cullowhee.

But not a spellcheck. :p Sorry. :D

I'd definitely like to see the Cats get things on the up and up. Good luck! xthumbsupx xrotatehx

[EagleCrusade]

I cannot understand why UT-C is ranked so low? I have always believed they have shown year-by-year improvement under Allison, although their record may not always reflect it.

[OL FU]

I cannot understand why UT-C is ranked so low? I have always believed they have shown year-by-year improvement under Allison, although their record may not always reflect it.

yep 3-8 or 4-7 every year kinda reduces the excitementxnodx

[T-Dog]

I cannot understand why UT-C is ranked so low? I have always believed they have shown year-by-year improvement under Allison, although their record may not always reflect it.

Because they fold in big games. They still had a playoff chance when they hosted App for Homecoming and App for a lack of a better term destroyed them and embarassed them at home. 35-0 at halftime and 49-0 in the 4th before they scored 21 against App's 3rd stringers.