SoCon 2021 Predictions and Power Rankings - Week 11

[FUBeAR]

Away
Home
Time
Prediculations Later


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_samford.png?width=30Samford (http://www.samfordsports.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/Florida.png?width=30Florida (http://www.floridagators.com/)
12P
Ripe for a SCALPING!


https://soconsports.com/images/2020/1/2/etsu_logo.png?width=30ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wcu.png?width=30Western Carolina (https://catamountsports.com/)
2P
It’s a TRAP!


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wofford.png?width=30Wofford (http://woffordterriers.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_citadel.png?width=30The Citadel (http://www.citadelsports.com/)
2P
This is for the Big Dog Trophy (pictured here - https://trophyshowroom.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/imported/1/Dog-Poop-Poo-Trophy-Award-Loser-Last-Place-70mm-RS816-twt-193195659881.JPG )


https://soconsports.com/images/logos/VMI_spider_four_color-2015.png?width=30VMI (https://vmikeydets.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_furman.png?width=30Furman (http://www.furmanpaladins.com/)
2P
interesting matchup - should be fun to watch


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_chatta_91.png?width=30Chattanooga (http://www.gomocs.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_mercer.png?width=30Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/)
3P
SoCon CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL GAME - matchup of the only 2 SoCon Teams that have full control of their Destiny at this point.



Power Ranking

1) Mercer - Masters of their Destiny - SoCon Championship Semi-Final Game this week
2) Chattanooga - Masters of their Destiny - SoCon Championship Semi-Final Game this week

3) ETSU - Not quite Masters of their Destiny - Won their SoCon Championship Semi-Final Game last week. Hoping Mercer enables them to become complete Masters of their Destiny & host the SoCon Championship Game next week


4) WCU - 5 straight wins to finish the season? It can happen. Furman, 1979, started 0-5 and won 5 of the last 6. Only a missed XP @VMI kept it from being 0-5 to 6-0.
5) Furman - Not the ‘Dins year. Definitively ending VMI’s 1/2-year reign, along with the Keydets’ Playoff hopes is quite motivating though
6) VMI - SoCon Championship repeat hopes all but ended. Playoff hopes on life support. Next 2 games may prove fatally detrimental
7) Samford - Get us another SEC scalp & celebrate right thru the following week!



8) Sit, a Dell crashed - ugh, really, really bad
9) Wofford - if this Team were really Terriers, the Vet would strongly recommend putting them down

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

I was 4-0 this past week for the second week in a row. Is pumped that ETSU punched their ticket to ride into the playoffs. Who will join them as only three one conference loss teams remain? BearDownMU hooked me up with some sweet tickets to the Mercer bandwagon this week. This is where I have it after this week.

1) Chattanooga - went from conference laughingstock to being in control of its own destiny in a year
2) East Tennessee State - one win closer to their second conference title in four years
3) Mercer - the only other conference team in control of its destiny as far as an autobid/title is concerned
4) VMI - had a great comeback in the second half but came up short
5) Samford - are the real Bulldogs in this conference
6) Western Carolina - cobbled together a three game win streak
7) Furman - season is now in tatters
8) A Citadel - has their last chance to realistically win a game this season coming up
9) Wofford - has the admin had enough of Con Man Conklin?

This Week's Games
Samford @ Florida (Upset Special of the Week sponsored by FireMeatloafMullen.com) - Bammerdogs drain the swamp
East Tennessee State @ Western Carolina - the clock strikes midnight for the Cinderellamounts
Wofford @ A Citadel (SoCon Toilet Bowl sponsored by FireConManConklin.com) - Terriers become the champions of the loo
VMI @ Furman - Keydets keep their playoff hopes alive
Chattanooga @ Mercer (SoCon Championship Series sponsored by JethroGibbs4SOCONCOY.com) - Bears defend this house setting up a winner take all next week

[BearDownMU]

I was 4-0 this past week for the second week in a row. Is pumped that ETSU punched their ticket to ride into the playoffs. Who will join them as only three one conference loss teams remain? BearDownMU hooked me up with some sweet tickets to the Mercer bandwagon this week.

Also comes with a parking pass.

[FUBeAR]

Also comes with a parking pass.As a highly distinguished Alumni Athlete & major donor, since it’s Homecoming, BearDownMU, I’m sure, will be extremely busy pre-game with multiple appearances and glad-handing at Official University Events. Also, I expect he will be cheering the Bears’ victory from the President’s Suite.

So, BNGR3010, once you get parked in the “Reserved for Band Wagoneers” lot, come on down to the lot between the Softball Field & the Business School. The FUBeAR Fam, including former Bears All SoCon OLman & “Day1” (Founding Football Players’ sobriquet), FUBeAR Jr. (no autographs, please), will be there from early AM, hosting a Kick(SnakesTrainBirdsShoes)-A$$ Tailgate. Bandwagoneers clad in Orange & Black are entitled to full Tailgate privileges - plenty of Fried Mockingbird, Water Moccasin Fritters, and other delicacies & adult beverages will be on tap.

And, if BearDown didn’t include those passes to the Presidential Suite, you can sit with FUBeAR - Field House end zone grass, pretty much on the End Line of the Field - well within ear shots of SoCon Officials, Visiting Defensive Teams about to be scored upon, and Visiting Offenses about to turn it over deep in their zone or give up a Safety. It’s quite peaceful & therapeutic there, actually.

See ya Saturday.

GO BEARS! …. (to which you respond) … “MAUL ‘EM!” (It’s a Mercer thing everyone does. You’ll catch on quick).

[bonarae]

Florida Gators
ETSU
Wofford (toss-up a la Brown / Cornell and Georgetown / Lehigh)
VMI
Chattanooga

[Reign of Terrier]

Folks, Wofford's more hype about the clemson basketball game friday than this supposed rivalry game Saturday.

I thought about 3 weeks ago that we could show marginal improvement each week and be on the ready to give the Citadel a game, but the reality is that we aren't good, we aren't deep, and we haven't gotten better. I can tolerate being under .500 because those seasons just happen sometimes, but the lack of progress, along with off the field issues is why I'm just done with Conklin. Like, this story about how we had 18 players out with flu last week just sounds extremely fishy.

The Citadel will beat us because the Citadel, as not-good as they are, knows how to play in these no-win situations. They may not be good, but they try to get better every game under their current coach (even if the current coach isn't meeting expectations). The same cannot be said about Wofford.

This is the worse season since pre-Ayers and as far as I know Conklin coming back next year is 50-50. He may come back because we are cheap and don't fire people often and he has like one year on his contract remaining. He may get fired for all the aforementioned reasons. I'm sure 30-60% of the reason we're bad is out of his control (and he's trying really hard to make it sound like 60-80%).

But if he comes back next year, I may have to cancel my ESPN+ because it's the only way I can do what's best for me by not watching this trainwreck.

[Catamount87]

Over the last 10 years it seems like at some point we all say, "it's been a crazy year in the SoCon this year". 2021 hasn't been any different and who would have thought it would eclipse 2020's craziness?

Predictions:

Samford at Florida: Bulldogs forget their sunscreen and get sunburned in Gainesville
ETSU at WCU: The Catamounts scratch out another hard fought battle
Wofford at Citadel: It's the battle of which dog will get to drink out of the toilet first. Coastal pups lap up the fresh water while the ankle biters get sloppy seconds.
VMI at Furman: The Din's nightmare season continues.
UTC at Mercer: Bearily I say unto you, it's the battle royale for SoCon supremacy.

Power Rankings:

1) Tie: UTC and Mercer - Not a dual at dawn this Saturday but 3 PM. The big question will it be broadswords or pistols?
3) ETSU: Got hit by a train a few weeks ago and it still hurts
4) VMI: Very good but not great and not to be overlooked by anyone
5) WCU: Movin' on up. The team no one in the SoCon looks forward to playing right now.
6) Samford: Movin on down. Another season and the same old questions. Will they move down further? Will Hatcher led teams ever play even mediocre defense?
7) Furman: They keep this up and FUBeAR is going to have a stroke, a heart attack and an aneurysm, all at the same time.
8) Citadel: The walls are crumbling (must have been all that peeing on them over the years) and close to being breached. Good news for SoCon attackers, I mean teams, word on the street is they've secured funding for visitor' stands.
9) Wofford: OH FUDGE! The wheels have come off the bus and Ralphie has lost the lug nuts!! And the team.

[FUBeAR]

Over the last 10 years it seems like at some point we all say, "it's been a crazy year in the SoCon this year". 2021 hasn't been any different and who would have thought it would eclipse 2020's craziness?

Predictions:

Samford at Florida: Bulldogs forget their sunscreen and get sunburned in Gainesville
ETSU at WCU: The Catamounts scratch out another hard fought battle C’MON MAN. DON’T Y’ALL GO & SCREW UP THE SoCon CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SHOWDOWN. FUBeAR HASN’T SEEN THE BUCS NEW STADIUM & WANTS A GREAT REASON TO MAKE THE DRIVE.
Wofford at Citadel: It's the battle of which dog will get to drink out of the toilet first. Coastal pups lap up the fresh water while the ankle biters get sloppy seconds.
VMI at Furman: The Din's nightmare season continues.
UTC at Mercer: Bearily I say unto you, it's the battle royale for SoCon supremacy.

Power Rankings:

1) Tie: UTC and Mercer - Not a dual at dawn this Saturday but 3 PM. The big question will it be broadswords or pistols? BEAR CLAWS & TEETH VS. SOFT, COMFORTABLE SHOES
3) ETSU: Got hit by a train a few weeks ago and it still hurts
4) VMI: Very good but not great and not to be overlooked by anyone
5) WCU: Movin' on up. The team no one in the SoCon looks forward to playing right now. VERY TRUE
6) Samford: Movin on down. Another season and the same old questions. Will they move down further? Will Hatcher led teams ever play even mediocre defense?
7) Furman: They keep this up and FUBeAR is going to have a stroke, a heart attack and an aneurysm, all at the same time. AGAIN?
8) Citadel: The walls are crumbling (must have been all that peeing on them over the years - LOL!) and close to being breached. Good news for SoCon attackers, I mean teams, word on the street is they've secured funding for visitor' stands. NOW WITH EVEN MORE LEAD IN THE PAINT!!
9) Wofford: OH FUDGE! The wheels have come off the bus and Ralphie has lost the lug nuts!! And the team.
Very nice!

A FEW COMMENTS ABOVE

[Mocs123]

Picks:
Samford - 10
Florida – 55 – The Gators slice through the Samford D and holds the ball for 40 minutes of the game.

ETSU 35 – Can the Cats destroy ETSU’s SoCon title hopes? The game is close but in the end the Mountain Pirates take care of business.
Western Carolina 28

Wofford - 17
The Citadel - 27 – At the rate they are going Wofford may not have enough to play in the game.

VMI – 24 – I could see this going either way, but in the end the Keydets keep their playoff hopes alive.
Furman - 21

Chattanooga – 23 – The Mocs have a tough chore down in Macon, but I think they are able to come away with a hard fought victory.
Mercer - 20

Power Rankings:

1.) Chattanooga (+1)
2.) ETSU (+1)
3.) Mercer (+1)
4.) VMI (-3)
5.) Furman (0)
6.) Western Carolina (+1)
7.) Samford (-1)
8.) The Citadel (0)
9.) Wofford (0)

Division 1 Wins Possible:
ETSU – 9
VMI – 8
Chattanooga – 8
Mercer – 7
Furman -6 - Out
Samford – 5 - Out
Western Carolina - 5 – Out
The Citadel – 3 - Out
Wofford – 2 - Out

SoCon Wins Possible:
ETSU – 7
Mercer – 7
Chattanooga – 7
VMI -6
Western Carolina – 5
Furman – 4
Samford – 4
The Citadel – 2
Wofford – 1

[Sandlapper Spike]

Projections:

VMI 27.9, Furman 27.1
ETSU 38.6, Western Carolina 27.0
The Citadel 25.9, Wofford 24.7
Chattanooga 26.3, Mercer 21.3

No projection for Samford-Florida. Early line has UF favored by 31½, which seems about right.

[FUBeAR]

Projections:

VMI 27.9, Furman 27.1
ETSU 38.6, Western Carolina 27.0
The Citadel 25.9, Wofford 24.7
Chattanooga 26.3, Mercer 21.3

No projection for Samford-Florida. Early line has UF favored by 31½, which seems about right.
Fun week!

Even the ‘meaningless’ games should be interesting matchups with really good motivations for both sides of the matchups. Not always the case this late in the season.

[wcugrad95]

Doing a little research on the WCU and ETSU game I came away with some interesting factoids:


The all-time series has WCU with the slimmest of advantages (25-24-1)
The last 3 games have been decided by 7 or fewer points (ETSU with 89 and WCU with 83 total points in those 3 games)
2 of the last 3 games went to OT (one of them went to triple OT)
As bad as we were in the Spring we only lost 24-17 @ ETSU
23 of ETSU's last 27 SoCon games have been decided by no more than 1 possession (including all 5 last Spring and 5 of 6 so far this Fall)
This season in conference, ETSU has only beaten Citadel (48-21) by more than 7 points


Obviously that doesn't dictate this game will be close, and given the records and rankings you might think it won't be. But it at least points to what could be another really close game for the Bucs and Cats.

[FUBeAR]

Doing a little research on the WCU and ETSU game I came away with some interesting factoids:


The all-time series has WCU with the slimmest of advantages (25-24-1)
The last 3 games have been decided by 7 or fewer points (ETSU with 89 and WCU with 83 total points in those 3 games)
2 of the last 3 games went to OT (one of them went to triple OT)
As bad as we were in the Spring we only lost 24-17 @ ETSU
23 of ETSU's last 27 SoCon games have been decided by no more than 1 possession (including all 5 last Spring and 5 of 6 so far this Fall)
This season in conference, ETSU has only beaten Citadel (48-21) by more than 7 points


Obviously that doesn't dictate this game will be close, and given the records and rankings you might think it won't be. But it at least points to what could be another really close game for the Bucs and Cats.Yep - anyone inking in this game as a MountainPirate “W” hasn’t been paying attention.

[Catamount87]

@FUBeAR

NOW WITH EVEN MORE LEAD IN THE PAINT!!

HAHAHAHA!

BTW, my broadsword reference came from a story I remembered about President Lincoln, read about it here, https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/abraham-lincolns-duel. I heard a version saying it was broadswords, in a pit no less.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

Wofford at Citadel: It's the battle of which dog will get to drink out of the toilet first. Coastal pups lap up the fresh water while the ankle biters get sloppy seconds.


Speaking of toilets, I served on an aircraft carrier for a few years. I encountered some rather interesting toilets in my time there. One restroom had all of the toilets shutdown with a nice warning attached to it as the toilets were severely clogged. I commented to one of the senior enlisted sailors attached to the ship that some sailors don't know how to properly use a toilet.

[ElCid]

This is pretty harsh. From Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Conklin


"Josh Conklin (born June 19, 1979) is perhaps the worst American football coach of all time. He is head football coach of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a position he had held since the 2018 season.[1] Conklin served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh from 2015 to 2017.[2] He played college football at Dakota State College in Madison, South Dakota.[3]"

[FUBeAR]

This is pretty harsh. From Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Conklin


"Josh Conklin (born June 19, 1979) is perhaps the worst American football coach of all time. He is head football coach of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a position he had held since the 2018 season.[1] Conklin served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh from 2015 to 2017.[2] He played college football at Dakota State College in Madison, South Dakota.[3]"
OUCH & LOL…Looks like RoT may have been busy. Probably should memorialize this for posterity with a photo…

https://i.postimg.cc/2jdbdVDS/A7-B6797-F-17-E8-451-D-A511-0-F7-C9-E50-D95-C.png

[Reign of Terrier]

That wasn't me lol Someone is very active on wikipedia. When Conklin was mentioned as a possible name for the Tennessee DC name, they changed it to his current position. Was wild.

[Mocs123]

Maybe it's someone at your cross town rival - Furman? Perhaps even FUBeAR himself?

[Reign of Terrier]

Regardless, they're doing the Lord's work now lol

[Catamount87]

Clearly someone has never heard of dennis wagner.

[FUBeAR]

Maybe it's someone at your cross town rival - Furman? Perhaps even FUBeAR himself?FUBeAR signs his work.

[Reign of Terrier]

Clearly someone has never heard of dennis wagner.

A couple of weeks ago when it came out that Conklin is kind of an asshole, people on Wofford Fans were saying dumb things like "well Mike Ayers and Vince Lombardi were tough on their players and coaches too"

And my response was...so was Dennis Wagner. Just because someone yells all the time doesn't mean they're a good coach!

[walliver]

Samford at Florida - The last time the Gators lost to a middle of the pack SoCon team, their head coach was fired. Mullen may get fired this year, but it won't be from losing to Samford as the swamp residents win 49-31.

ETSU at WCU - The Can't-mounts put up a good fight, but ETSU is the superior team and pulls out a 28-24 win.

Chattanooga at Mercer - The Trainbirds aren't flashy but they get the job done. FuBear laments at 31-28 Moc win

VMI at Furman - This could be a toss-up, but VMI just finds a way to pull out a 21-18 win

Wofford at some Citadel - Hopefully the Terriers have enough players to field a team against ElCid and their antiquated offense. The bullpups get into some bad oysters Friday night and Conklin gets a conference win.

Ratings:
1) Chattanooga
2) ETSU
3) Mercer
4) VMI
5) WCU
6) Samford
7) Furman
8) A Citadel
9) Wofford

Playoffs: ETSU and Chattanooga

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

This is pretty harsh. From Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Conklin


"Josh Conklin (born June 19, 1979) is perhaps the worst American football coach of all time. He is head football coach of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a position he had held since the 2018 season.[1] Conklin served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh from 2015 to 2017.[2] He played college football at Dakota State College in Madison, South Dakota.[3]"

(Big Brother hat on) I take it this dude never heard of Derek Dummy (Con Man Conklin was one of his assistants), Jeremy Pruittrash or Greg Schellno. Not to mention Butchslapped Jones.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

Samford at Florida - The last time the Gators lost to a middle of the pack SoCon team, their head coach was fired. Mullen may get fired this year, but it won't be from losing to Samford as the swamp residents win 49-31.


You mean the Florida team that Pruittcanned their DC and OL coach this week. The Florida team in which some of its players have gone full Chattaquitta.

[FUBeAR]

Away
Home
Time
Prediculations


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_samford.png?width=30Samford (http://www.samfordsports.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/Florida.png?width=30Florida (http://www.floridagators.com/)
12P
Y’know how people buy baby gators & flush ‘em down the toilet…leading to giant gators prowling the sewers of NYC. It’s true. FUBeAR’s seen ‘em. Coach Mullen wishes he was living with those NYC gators right now & his Team is playing like the organic, but non-living contents of those sewers. Samford, winners of 1 straight game, is on a roll. This situation is perfect for a scalp or matching belt & shoes, but Samford performs more like they did vs. Chatt & gets SWAMPED!

Florida 55 - Samford 14 (late points)


https://soconsports.com/images/2020/1/2/etsu_logo.png?width=30ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wcu.png?width=30Western Carolina (https://catamountsports.com/)
2P
FUBeAR really wants ETSU to win this game to set up the SoCon Championship Game between ETSU & Mercer next week, but the Catamounts are really on a roll and, as much they say they’re not, the Bucs will be scoreboard watching in Macon & everywhere else in the FCS, trying to cipher their chances of getting a seed. Problem is WCU is still not so hot on D & especially stopping the run. Part of FUBeAR wants to see ‘em do it, but he thinks the Cats are gonna be a few claws short…unless they can ensure their Replay System doesn’t work again this week.

ETSU 35 - WCU 28


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wofford.png?width=30Wofford (http://woffordterriers.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_citadel.png?width=30The Citadel (http://www.citadelsports.com/)
2P
As sad as both of these Teams are, this will be a fun game to watch. Sit Adell is really bad, but they do do (how appropriate) a few things well. Wofford is just bad everywhere.

The Citadel 24 - Wofford 17


https://soconsports.com/images/logos/VMI_spider_four_color-2015.png?width=30VMI (https://vmikeydets.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_furman.png?width=30Furman (http://www.furmanpaladins.com/)
2P
FUBeAR’s Paladins are a little like Jello this season. Very hard to get a handle on them. Let’s just go with a historically accurate prediculation. VMI hasn’t won a Football game in Greenville since 1977. Not gonna happen this year either. It will be interesting though. VMI’s playoff hopes come to an end on a late FG.

Furman 20 - VMI 17


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_chatta_91.png?width=30Chattanooga (http://www.gomocs.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_mercer.png?width=30Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/)
3P
SoCon CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL GAME - The BIG ENCHILADA game in the SoCon today. Chatt’s fans somehow have deluded themselves into believing that they won the game the Mocs lost vs. Mercer this Spring. They also seem to think their BAD loss to a BAD APSU Team is better than Mercer’s BAD loss to a GOOD VMI Team. Just odd, but Chatt is a very good Football Team playing with A LOT of confidence. When it comes down to it, Mercer’s D is certainly capable of stopping Chatt’s O and Chatt’s D is certainly capable of stopping Mercer’s O, but…to be honest, Coach Cronic has the edge on Chatt’s OC and, with 2 weeks to prepare, that will matter.

Mercer has gotten the better of the Mocs and leads the series. The Chatt Players & Coaches are not happy about that…not at all. FUBeAR predicts Chatt’s HC will have to be restrained at some point in this game.

But what may matter most is Special Teams. Mercer wins that one…and the game…in an EMOTIONAL WAR.

Mercer 17 - Chattanooga 14



Power Ranking

1) Mercer - Masters of their Destiny - SoCon Championship Semi-Final Game this week
2) Chattanooga - Masters of their Destiny - SoCon Championship Semi-Final Game this week

3) ETSU - Not quite Masters of their Destiny - Won their SoCon Championship Semi-Final Game last week. Hoping Mercer enables them to become complete Masters of their Destiny & host the SoCon Championship Game next week


4) WCU - 5 straight wins to finish the season? It can happen. Furman, 1979, started 0-5 and won 5 of the last 6. Only a missed XP @VMI kept it from being 0-5 to 6-0.
5) Furman - Not the ‘Dins year. Definitively ending VMI’s 1/2-year reign, along with the Keydets’ Playoff hopes is quite motivating though
6) VMI - SoCon Championship repeat hopes all but ended. Playoff hopes on life support. Next 2 games may prove fatally detrimental
7) Samford - Get us another SEC scalp & celebrate right thru the following week!



8) Sit, a Dell crashed - ugh, really, really bad
9) Wofford - if this Team were really Terriers, the Vet would strongly recommend putting them down

[Mocs123]

I see what you did there with that score prediction FUBeAR.

[FUBeAR]

I see what you did there with that score prediction FUBeAR.
You read that far? Never imagined anyone ever made it to the end of any of FUBeAR’s posts.

But, yeah…it wasn’t not intended to evoke a positive mental image…

https://i.postimg.cc/CYLZxShM/F869-E3-C0-08-ED-4-BDA-8685-F673-FB63523-A.jpg
https://postlmg.cc/kDNd4pcy

[kdinva]

ETSU 31; WCU 24
The Citadel 24; Wofford 17
VMI 31; Furman 24
UTC 28; Mercer 24
Gators win.

[BigCat]

ETSU
The Citadel
VMI
UTC
Samford pulls the upset in the "your coach sucks more then ours" bowl

[The Cats]

ETSU at WCU
The Citadel at Wofford
VMI at Furman
UTC at Mercer
Samford at Florida

SoCon Power rankings (https://catamountsportsblog.blogspot.com/2021/11/purple-golds-socon-football-power.html)

[FUBeAR]

ETSU at WCU
The Citadel at Wofford
VMI at Furman
UTC at Mercer
Samford at Florida

SoCon Power rankings (https://catamountsportsblog.blogspot.com/2021/11/purple-golds-socon-football-power.html)
FYP

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

That wasn't me lol Someone is very active on wikipedia. When Conklin was mentioned as a possible name for the Tennessee DC name, they changed it to his current position. Was wild.

(Big Brother hat on) And thank God Tim Banks scored that role.

[ElCid]

Samford looking good up 14-7 in first down in the Swamp. Seriously early though.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

Samford just scored a rushing TD

Samford 28, Florida 21 10:02 2nd

[ElCid]

Samford's D is really bad...but so is Florida's. 28 all halfway through 2nd.

[ElCid]

98 yard kickoff return for TD. Samford back up 35-28. Holy crap.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

Florida 70, Samford 52 Final. Sounds more like a basketball score. Offensively, Samford put up something that the late Bobby Bowden would be proud of. Defensively, not so much.

[kdinva]

Mercer 10; UTC 6, final....

[BearDownMU]

HOLY CRAP

[Mocs123]

Congrats to Mercer. I can't help but think we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, but the score is what it is. Big game next week to see who gets the Autobid.

VMI and the Mocs playing like they don't want to miss thanksgiving dinner.

[BearDownMU]

Congrats to Mercer. I can't help but think we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, but the score is what it is. Big game next week to see who gets the Autobid.

VMI and the Mocs playing like they don't want to miss thanksgiving dinner.

Both defenses played their tails off. Turnovers and special teams, man...

[kdinva]

....VMI and the Mocs playing like they don't want to miss thanksgiving dinner.

yep, 2nd straight Saturday VMI didn't start playing until about 8:00 in 2nd period. Still no quit today, what with VMI missing 3 of their top five receivers, and #1 HB. The way Furman passed today (5 plays over 30 yards), Coach Bell licking his chops as 'Cats visit Lex.

Still, a fine and weird SoCon season, VMI craps the bed in Charleston, wins 4 in a row, then craps again. Mercer craps the bed vs. VMI, coming on strong (just like in the Spring),

[Reign of Terrier]

I think Mercer and ETSU will make the playoffs. Chattanooga and VMI are iffy. I don't think the socon will only get one bid though.

[kdinva]

I think Mercer and ETSU will make the playoffs. Chattanooga and VMI are iffy.....

Both VMI and UTC need lots of help. Win their games and hope three or four, 3-loss teams lose as well.

[Mocs123]

IMO - The only way Mercer makes the playoffs is if they beat ETSU next week and win the SoCon's autobid. If they lose they only have 6 D1 wins and that won't get you in the playoffs. So if they don't win next week, they won't get in and that's on their schedule not them as a team. They played a D2 school and had two bye weeks - effectively they bet the farm (or playoffs) on winning the SoCon.

ETSU is in no matter what at this point.

VMI and UTC are iffy (very iffy)

[Reign of Terrier]

VMI and UTC aren't in. Too many not-good losses. I would rather be UTC than VMI though, with the quality win over ETSU and a quality loss against Mercer.

I think in a just world, Mercer would get in at 7-3, but it's the FCS playoffs so the committee would find a way to screw them over.

[Mocs123]

If Mercer wins next week, they are sole SoCon champs and get the autobid, if they loose they only have 6 D1 wins, which won't get them in. The committee won't (and shouldn't) give them much credit for beating D2 Point University (which are an impressive 2-9 BTW). There will likely be enough teams with 7 D1 wins to fill the at large playoff spots, otherwise there will be multiple 6 win Big Sky or Missouri Valley teams that the Bears won't stack up well against.

I'm not sure how the Bears ended up with the schedule they had this year with no FCS OOC games, but in the end that will likely be the reason they don't make the playoffs if they lose next week.

I'm sure you're right about the Mocs, the VMI loss in OT looked better before their loss today at Furman. The Austin Peay Loss looks bad now. At the time they were #20 in the country and expected to win the OVC, but they are not as good as we thought. We had our shot today and we blew it - if we wanted in we should have played like it.

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR agrees.

Unless Mercer beats ETSU, they will not get an At-Large bid…which is a bit of a shame as Mercer & ETSU are pretty clearly (to anyone watching that knows anything about Football) the 2 best teams in the SoCon. But…schedule to not get an At-Large and you won’t…the Committee will assure that, even if they can also clearly see that the Bears & Bucs both deserve to be ‘in.’

[wcugrad95]

We have seen this movie all too many times about scheduling. ETSU is the only safe bet. I think Mercer deserves it, but of course if UTC wins that game I would be saying they are already in. Right now, I say they are probably out.

I still can’t believe the Bears won with 56 rushing yards (and only 163 total yards). But like BearDown said, TOs and special teams can be a serious equalizer. Just ask us at WCU - we can tell you all about turning the ball over.

[BearDownMU]

I disagree with most of you here. I think if Mercer loses Saturday and doesn't get blown out, they still get in. I just don't believe the SoCon is a 1 bid league, after having 4 teams all around the Top 25 all year. And if the committee knows it shouldn't be a 1 bid league, the only other team you could put in (assuming no blowout loss) would be Mercer. It ETSU buries Mercer, I could make an argument for Chatt assuming they take care of The Citadel.

[FUBeAR]

I disagree with most of you here. I think if Mercer loses Saturday and doesn't get blown out, they still get in. I just don't believe the SoCon is a 1 bid league, after having 4 teams all around the Top 25 all year. And if the committee knows it shouldn't be a 1 bid league, the only other team you could put in (assuming no blowout loss) would be Mercer. It ETSU buries Mercer, I could make an argument for Chatt assuming they take care of The Citadel.Having never felt the emptiness of your Team winning their last 4 games, winning the SoCon Championship (with a 6-2 record), and not seeing your Team’s name called (not even in the last 4 out) on Selection Sunday, your unjaded optimism is refreshing. The Playoff Committee has touched FUBeAR in his naughty places before.

1) Hope we don’t have to find out if your optimism is warranted
2) If we do, hope you are correct

Personally, FUBeAR thinks if ETSU wins, by any score, the SoCon is a 1-bid Conference.

Now, if Mercer wins, we know we’re getting 2 in…Mercer & ETSU…and I think, if Chatt stomps CIT (as expected)…the Mocs get in also & the SoCon is a 3-bid Conference.

So, obviously, everyone here should be BIG Bears fans this week…or…ETSU, if they are Team Players, will have a “Covid incident”…and forfeit due to the number of Players that have to quarantine. They’ll all be fine for the Playoffs though and enjoy watching their 2 Teams of SoCon brothers in the Playoffs before or after their own game.

[ElCid]

…and I think, if Chatt stomps CIT (as expected)…

You mean they won't just beat us by point this year. That would be refreshing, for them at least. Not saying we have a good shot, but the last 6 games between us have been decided by one score. The last three by one point. Not sure if it will be a stomping. Maybe. Depends if our guys check out and/or Chatty still thinks they got a realistic shot. Not sure why we played so badly all year. Change in QB, the virus, the discipline issue early on with one player, the fall and spring seasons were too much, whatever.

[wcugrad95]

Mercer’s plight is really all about scheduling. If you had a Davidson or Stetson or any other FCS team on the schedule you’d have 8 wins, 7 D1 wins, and already be preparing a bid to host a first round playoff game regardless of what happens next Saturday.

I think Mercer is the most worthy SoCon 2nd bid given the win versus UTC yesterday, but like FUBeAR I have seen 7 win SoCon teams not get in because of scheduling. The ugly loss to VMI will also be up for discussion in the committee room.

If it was truly about what teams should get in based on if we think they could win a game, the SoCon could probably argue for 3. But the perception of the strength in the MVFC, Big Sky, etc. means those conferences are going to get upwards of 5 teams each in. If there are 10 AQs and those guys get 4 more each of the 24 total spots, that doesn’t leave too many seats left at the table.

I agree Mercer is deserving, and I want 2 or even 3 SoCon teams to make it (Chatty and Mercer could certainly win a game or 2). But I will be surprised if it is 3 unless Mercer wins on Saturday.

[walliver]

Mercer’s plight is really all about scheduling. If you had a Davidson or Stetson or any other FCS team on the schedule you’d have 8 wins, 7 D1 wins, and already be preparing a bid to host a first round playoff game regardless of what happens next Saturday.

I think Mercer is the most worthy SoCon 2nd bid given the win versus UTC yesterday, but like FUBeAR I have seen 7 win SoCon teams not get in because of scheduling. The ugly loss to VMI will also be up for discussion in the committee room.

If it was truly about what teams should get in based on if we think they could win a game, the SoCon could probably argue for 3. But the perception of the strength in the MVFC, Big Sky, etc. means those conferences are going to get upwards of 5 teams each in. If there are 10 AQs and those guys get 4 more each of the 24 total spots, that doesn’t leave too many seats left at the table.

I agree Mercer is deserving, and I want 2 or even 3 SoCon teams to make it (Chatty and Mercer could certainly win a game or 2). But I will be surprised if it is 3 unless Mercer wins on Saturday.

As all of us older Terrier fans can attest, losing to VMI will keep you out of the playoffs.