SoCon 2021 Predictions and Power Rankings - Week 12

[FUBeAR]

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https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wofford.png?width=30Wofford (http://woffordterriers.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/UNC.png?width=30North Carolina (http://goheels.com/)
TBA

TBD


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wcu.png?width=30Western Carolina (https://catamountsports.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/VMI_spider_four_color-2015.png?width=30VMI (https://vmikeydets.com/)
12:30P

TBD


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_furman.png?width=30Furman (http://www.furmanpaladins.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_samford.png?width=30Samford (http://www.samfordsports.com/)
1:00P

TBD


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_mercer.png?width=30Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2020/1/2/etsu_logo.png?width=30ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/)
1:00P

TBD


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_citadel.png?width=30The Citadel (http://www.citadelsports.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_chatta_91.png?width=30Chattanooga (http://www.gomocs.com/)
1:30P

TBD



Power Ranking

1) Mercer
2) Chattanooga
3) ETSU

4) Furman
4.1)WCU
6) VMI
7) Samford



8) That Citadel
9) Wofford

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

I was 3-2 yesterday. Came home from Maconga after watching a great game with FUBeAR and BearDownMU in the unholiest of alliances hoping that a winner take all matchup takes place this coming Saturday. My Bucs fulfilled their end of the bargain and their Bears fulfilled their end of the bargain. This is where I have everything after this week.

1) Mercer - Gutted out another win setting up a winner take all
2) East Tennessee State - Scored their second double digit conference win in the Jethro Gibbs era
3) Chattanooga - Had nothing to be ashamed of but I'll bet you a dollar my niece can make those FG attempts.
4) Furman - Stuck a fork in the playoff hopes of their opponent yesterday
5) Samford - Had nothing to be ashamed of yesterday. Nothing.
6) Western Carolina - Had nothing to be ashamed of yesterday but I won't sleep on them anytime soon.
7) VMI - Went from penthouse to just above the outhouse in less than a year.
8) A Citadel - Played the game of their lives when they saw that toilet trophy yesterday
9) Wofford - Drew the short straw and brought the toilet home.

This Week's Games
Wofford @ North Carolina (Burnination of the Week sponsored by Trogdor.com and FireConManConklin.com) - Terriers see their season mercifully come to an end
Western Carolina @ VMI - Catamounts finish their season on a high note
Furman @ Samford - Bammerdogs take out their frustration to end their season on a high note
A Citadel @ Chattanooga (Beatdown of the Week) - Mockingbird-Dogs defend their house

AND NOW THE GAME OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY JETHROGIBBS4SOCONCOY.COM and TONYDINOZZO4SOCONDPOY.COM
Mercer @ East Tennessee State - Bucs gritted, grimied, togethered and toughed (to use one of Steve Forbes' catchphrases) their way to a 9-1 record. They shocked the world by curbstomping Vandyland and ran the table (outside of the NottaQuittas) so far. Da Bears wreaked havoc on their competition this season and gave Bammerland a fight before succumbing and lost to a VMI side that has since fizzled out. Greene Stadium will be rocking and a sellout crowd is expected to cheer on the hometown team. Da Bucs will send the crowd home happy as they secure their first-ever autobid and second SoCon title in four years.

[kdinva]

I would not call 4-3 Conf. record as in the outhouse.....maybe eating baloney sandwiches for a couple of days.....last two games VMI's fourth quarter offensive execution less than stellar. five years ago most here would have celebrated VMI having a conf. ledger like that.

[bonarae]

Tarholes
WCU
Furman
Mercer (what happened to the Bucs in the past few weeks?)
Chatty

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

I would not call 4-3 Conf. record as in the outhouse.....maybe eating baloney sandwiches for a couple of days.....last two games VMI's fourth quarter offensive execution less than stellar. five years ago most here would have celebrated VMI having a conf. ledger like that.

I said above the outhouse level (A Citadel/Wofford are outhouse level). I had it on good authority that the toilet trophy had to be brought in by a team of public health professionals wearing hazmat suits. I am sure Wofford's admin would love to hear the explanation on how something like that found its way on its campus which hopefully would be the end of Con Man Conklin's time in Spartanburg.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

Mercer (what happened to the Bucs in the past few weeks?)


I don't know what you mean by that. ETSU may have lost to Chattanooga but rallied to beat Furman, held off a furious comeback by VMI and used a second half woodshedding of Western Carolina to get to this point.

[walliver]

Next Saturday, Mike Ayers will come out of retirement and lead Wofford to a 49-35 victory of the completely surprised Tarheels. This will happen somewhere in the Multiverse.

[Sir William]

Yep, a lot of long-term damage done in Spartanburg. Could take years to rebuild. The program Ayers built over 3 decades has been thrown away in a little over 3 yrs.

[ElCid]

Yep, a lot of long-term damage done in Spartanburg. Could take years to rebuild. The program Ayers built over 3 decades has been thrown away in a little over 3 yrs.

You almost get the impression that he had planned to do a touch a go and be off to an FBS team after winning conf championship or two. But he then didn't do any of the hard work of recruiting and developing of players as a result of his plans. He probably wanted to pull a Mike Houston. But in a little fairness, the whole virus thing didn't help.

[walliver]

I hear rumors that Conklin will be back next year. Apparently there are people in power who believe it's just multiple injuries producing the problem.

The collapse of the program occurred extremely quick. Three consecutive SoCon championships followed immediately by 2 1-win seasons.

[FUBeAR]

You almost get the impression that he had planned to do a touch a go and be off to an FBS team after winning conf championship or two. But he then didn't do any of the hard work of recruiting and developing of players as a result of his plans. He probably wanted to pull a Mike Houston.Nailed it.

[Mocs123]

I hear rumors that Conklin will be back next year. Apparently there are people in power who believe it's just multiple injuries producing the problem.

The collapse of the program occurred extremely quick. Three consecutive SoCon championships followed immediately by 2 1-win seasons.

I can only hope that after the Florida game that Samford gives Hatcher a huge extension as well.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

I hear rumors that Conklin will be back next year. Apparently there are people in power who believe it's just multiple injuries producing the problem.

The collapse of the program occurred extremely quick. Three consecutive SoCon championships followed immediately by 2 1-win seasons.

Wofford's football program has become the SoCon's equivalent of 'The Thing from the Cellar." That's what Dan Proctor, a cartoonist at the Knoxville News-Sentinel at the time, lovingly referred to USC when it was a cellar dweller.

[Mocs123]

It's not too late for the Terriers, they still have talent on the roster and have a lot of money in the program.

[FUBeAR]

It's not too late for the Terriers, they still have talent on the roster and have a lot of money in the program.
Wofford may have talent on the roster, but FUBeAR hasn’t seen it on the field. FUBeAR’s assessment is that the Terriers have, maybe, 3 or 4 Starters on each side of the ball that would be Starters for any other SoCon Team…other than CIT.

And…most of those guys are on this list…

SENIOR’S LAST LAP
The Chattanooga game marks the final regular season home contest for 25 Wofford seniors. The group includes seven fifth year seniors: Donavan Anderson, Joe Beckett, John Beckley, Brandon Brown, Chad Gardner, Zak Kurz and Jim Welsh. The fifth-year players won the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Southern Conference Championships, along with NCAA FCS Playoff appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2019. There are also 18 true seniors, who were part of the 2018 and 2019 SoCon Championship teams and two playoff appearances. They are: Elijah Ball, Tanner Barnes, Jamari Broussard, Cagan Campbell, Paxton Cottrell, Anthony Craig, Peyton Derrick, James Garnett, Quashon Greenlee, Al Hogan, T.J. Neal, Jaxen Rogers, Rett Russell, Colin Springer, Nathan Walker, Jimmy Weirick, Walker Gliarmis and Coltin Hallman.

[Mocs123]

It sounds like Conklin is coming back for another year. What about Hatcher? Any rumblings out of Birmingham? I joke about him getting an extension, but I imagine his seat is getting a little warm. Thompson at The Citadel?

[PaladinNation]

^^^ geezh! 25 seniors?
Doesn't Chatty also have a huge senior class?

This is probably more of an off-season thread-but Wofford's program future sparks my thoughts. As a fan of a school (Furman) that will never bring in mass transfers at the level of schools like Western and Chatty its becoming pretty obvious. Furman has to be smart at recruiting, has to develop players in the program, build depth, and stop the rotating QB reality—this has been an issue since PJ Blazejowski graduated. I can't believe I'm saying this but VMI in IMO is an excellent model right now—Wachenheim has done an excellent job building a program and building an identity. They're going to be a consistent championship contender for the next several years.

It's been very frustrating to watch the Paladins play this season, that said this past Saturday gives Furman fans hope for 2022. Furman will again be young at QB. Wilson will be a sophomore, and I'd go ahead and pencil in incoming freshman QB Carson Jones as a contending backup. The good news is all but one of our lineman are back and we have a 242 pound tailback that you can feed the ball.

Wofford might go heavier this off-season the transfer route—not sure? I just don't see this as the long term answer for them much like if Furman went this route.

[Mocs123]

We have 17 seniors. (though I heard a rumor one redshirted this year and will be back next season). Ten of those seniors are starters in one form or another (4 DB's, 2 WR, 1 TE, 3 OL) and four key reserves (1 WR, 1 OL, 1 QB, 1 RB).

We've gotten the young guys who will be taking their place some snaps this spring and fall, and I think we have some talented younger guys, but it's always going to hurt losing some of the guys we are losing. Of course that's part of college football - I always say you lose 20% of your roster every season, that is why recruiting is so important.

[Mocs123]

^^^ I can't believe I'm saying this but VMI in IMO is an excellent model right now—Wachenheim has done an excellent job building a program and building an identity. They're going to be a consistent championship contender for the next several years.


I've heard Wachenheim mentioned for a few other HC jobs. If you keep winning at VMI you are going to get noticed, and do they have the infrastructure to stay successful after (if ) he leaves?

[FUBeAR]

I've heard Wachenheim mentioned for a few other HC jobs. If you keep winning at VMI you are going to get noticed, and do they have the infrastructure to stay successful after (if ) he leaves?
While Football Coaches are like snowflakes (in the uniqueness sense), if Coach W. leaves, VMI would be very smart to not make the mistakes Woffy did, and should hire someone as much like Coach W. as possible…and someone who has his full & ringing endorsement

[FUBeAR]

We have 17 seniors. (though I heard a rumor one redshirted this year and will be back next season). Ten of those seniors are starters in one form or another (4 DB's, 2 WR, 1 TE, 3 OL) and four key reserves (1 WR, 1 OL, 1 QB, 1 RB).

We've gotten the young guys who will be taking their place some snaps this spring and fall, and I think we have some talented younger guys, but it's always going to hurt losing some of the guys we are losing. Of course that's part of college football - I always say you lose 20% of your roster every season, that is why recruiting is so important.Honestly, with the Portal & new Transfer rules, we have no idea who’s coming back next season. If younger, potentially “returning” Players have performed well, they may get starry eyed and be lured to an FBS or even a ‘better,’ in their eyes, FCS Team. These days, Coaches have to re-recruit their own roster every year.

Kinda piling on Woffy today…but when I watch one of their younger RB’s play, he is talented…but his body language tells me that he is NOT a happy man in their O. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him hit the portal next Sunday.

[kdinva]

....These days, Coaches have to re-recruit their own roster every year.....

Amen to that....

[MR. CHICKEN]

Honestly, with the Portal & new Transfer rules, we have no idea who’s coming back next season. If younger, potentially “returning” Players have performed well, they may get starry eyed and be lured to an FBS or even a ‘better,’ in their eyes, FCS Team. These days, Coaches have to re-recruit their own roster every year.

Kinda piling on Woffy today…but when I watch one of their younger RB’s play, he is talented…but his body language tells me that he is NOT a happy man in their O. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him hit the portal next Sunday.


.....MACK BROWN....N. CAROLINA COACH.....DURIN' THEIR THURSDAY NIGHTER........"YOU HAVE TA PLAY 2 DEEP ON BOTH SIDES ....UH DUH BALL.....OR KIDS HEAD FOR DUH PORTAL"....AWK!

[FUBeAR]

LOL - Mercer Football Twitter trolling Chatt fans calling all 5 of the Mocs turnovers “Unforced.”

https://twitter.com/mercerfootball/status/1460664350222557191

All 5 FORCED Turnovers blown up … up close & in living (ORANGE ) color in this short clip

Thanks @MercerFootball Twitter. FUBeAR appreciates your support!

[BigCat]

Wofford @ North Carolina - NC by 40 points

Western Carolina @ VMI - Cats in a close one

Furman @ Samford - Samford by 14

Citadel @ Chattanooga - Mocs by A LOT!

[FUBeAR]

Wofford @ North Carolina - NC by 40 points

Western Carolina @ VMI - Cats in a close one

Furman @ Samford - Samford by 14

Citadel @ Chattanooga - Mocs by A LOT!
Ya skipped one…kind of a meaningless game. No worries.

[BigCat]

Mercer @ ETSU - ETSU by 6

[The Cats]

Wofford at North Carolina
Furman at Samford
Mercer at ETSU
The Citadel at Chattanooga
Western Carolina at VMI



SoCon Power Ranking (https://catamountsportsblog.blogspot.com/2021/11/purple-golds-socon-football-power_15.html)

[The Cats]

I don't know what you mean by that. ETSU may have lost to Chattanooga but rallied to beat Furman, held off a furious comeback by VMI and used a second half woodshedding of Western Carolina to get to this point.

Yeah, ETSU won the game, but I don't see any woodshedding in those stats....

3228732287

[wcugrad95]

21-0 in the second half for ETSU, but Western also had the ball inside the 5 twice and hurt themselves. Plus a late ETSU touchdown took it to that final score. The Bucs no doubt won by making the better halftime adjustments and were clearly the better team the last 2 quarters, but I also disagree with woodshedding.

[caribbeanhen]

.....MACK BROWN....N. CAROLINA COACH.....DURIN' THEIR THURSDAY NIGHTER........"YOU HAVE TA PLAY 2 DEEP ON BOTH SIDES ....UH DUH BALL.....OR KIDS HEAD FOR DUH PORTAL"....AWK!

The Portal California Where you can check in any time you like but you can never Leave

[MR. CHICKEN]

PORTAL UH KNOW RETURN.......KANSAS..........BRAWK!

[FUBeAR]

21-0 in the second half for ETSU, but Western also had the ball inside the 5 twice and hurt themselves. Plus a late ETSU touchdown took it to that final score. The Bucs no doubt won by making the better halftime adjustments and were clearly the better team the last 2 quarters, but I also disagree with woodshedding.
Yep - that’s why FUBeAR called it a “meltdown” (somewhere). WCU was definitely in that game until this happened in the 4th quarter…



3rd and 3 at ETS3
(05:41) Wells,Rogan pass intercepted by Robinson,Tyree at ETS00, Touchback.



Hard for someone to objectively characterize a game as a “woodshedding” when the outcome was very much in doubt with 5 minutes and change remaining. Keyword being “objectively,” I guess.

[Sandlapper Spike]

This week's projections (such as they are):

VMI 41.6, Western Carolina 30.6
Samford 36.0, Furman 34.2
Chattanooga 36.1, The Citadel 13.8
East Tennessee State 27.7, Mercer 23.0

I don't project FCS-FBS games, so there are no numbers for Wofford-North Carolina (I believe the Heels are currently favored by 38½).

[Reign of Terrier]

I hear rumors that Conklin will be back next year. Apparently there are people in power who believe it's just multiple injuries producing the problem.

The collapse of the program occurred extremely quick. Three consecutive SoCon championships followed immediately by 2 1-win seasons.

It's worse than that. The President of the booster club actively carriers water for Conklin. I got called trash on twitter and challenged to a fight by him simply for saying "I'm ****ing done" with this team under Conklin and that when we weren't frustrating to watch, we were unwatchable.

Wofford has a good old boys problem. Our athletic director rumoredly ran off lots of great personnel in this program and the people who are supposed to keep him (and Wofford's coaching staff) accountable aren't. They're more mad at folks like me who sometimes say bad words while also saying what is plainly true.

This isn't me being a conspiracy theorist, this is me being intimately aware of how Wofford works. The damage is done, but we're going for the long term now. 10 game losing streaks aren't enough!

[Reign of Terrier]

By the way: y'all keep piling on Wofford. I want recruits and the general public to look at our program and athletic department as it currently states with contempt.

We have the money to buy out Conklin's contract. No way it's anywhere near 500k, it's probably somewhere between 100-300k. We just fundraised to get our endowment up to almost half a billion dollars. Obviously, it wouldn't come from that, but the point is, the people in charge would rather insult our intelligence, and police twitter for uncomfortable truths and no-no words with veiled threats/attempts at intimidation than they would making that sort of plan.

Richard Johnson ran off two of the best coaches that have ever coached in FCS and midmajor basketball. I don't know details, but that is the consensus of everyone I know who has spoken to those coaches. There's lots of examples of dumb **** he's done over the years, like invading locker rooms at half time over parking disputes and making female employees (who are just the sweetest people you'll interact with) cry. But he's seemingly untouchable. He's also cheap as ****. I've heard he lobbied the Socon (pre-pandemic) to cap the amount of money coaches are paid (right after Wofford made our little tourney run). That's why we're not going to pay out Conklin: we have an AD who likes to be a dictator, who is also cheap as ****, and with a terrier club that believes in the "Wofford Way" of not acknowledging a problem will make it go away, and the head coach who knows how to say all the right things in public, while being openly known as anti-vax on campus and a bitch to work with. He points fingers at players and coaches. I won't say everyone hates him, but at the very least lots of people do.

If we were a competent athletic institution, any of these people would have the sense of shame to resign. I'm only posting this now, at length, because I'm so jaded about this program right now that I'm tempted to not give it any money in any capacity (which thankfully, I have moved 500 miles away, so it's a little easier).

Hell, when the president of the booster club threatens/tries to intimidate one of the more passionate fans (I have screenshots that last forever) it sends a message: why the heck should I care what the program looks like now? We need to clean house.

If we don't fire Conklin it sends all the wrong messages about who Wofford is and what we aspire to be as a program: one that tolerates failure, toxic political discourse over recruiting, and a toxic work environment just because one guy is cheap.

I want nothing to do with that. For now, Basketball will be fine, but I'm worried about the long term of athletics for the first time I can remember, because once McAuley leaves we are probably going to hire a Conklin to ruin things for us.

[FUBeAR]

Conklin’s 2019 Comp https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/570314422/202101379349302420/full



(A) Name and Title
Base
compensation
Retirement
deferred comp
Nontaxable
benefits
Total





JOSH CONKLIN
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
290,387


25,200


20,285

335,872

[Reign of Terrier]

The fact that you knew where to find that is... something

Now do Furman lol

[FUBeAR]

The fact that you knew where to find that is... something

Now do Furman lolLed a few Exec. Searches for Heads of Non-profits. Gotta know the price tag before you walk in the store.

FUBeAR teaches peeps to fish for themselves…you do Furman & Samford. They’re there. Mercer’s is a little harder to find.

[Mocs123]

Picks:
Wofford - 7
North Carolina – 41 – The Terriers season comes to a merciless end.

Western Carolina - 31
VMI – 34 – This will be a dogfight but I think VMI wins at home.

Furman – 27 – The Bulldogs scored 52 on Florida, but I think the Furman D keeps their high flying offense in check.
Samford - 24

Mercer - 21
ETSU – 24 – Battle for the SoCon Championship goes to the home team.

The Citadel - 14
Chattanooga – 28 – The Mocs rally to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Power Rankings:

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

Division 1 Wins Possible:
ETSU – 9
VMI – 7
Chattanooga – 7
Mercer – 7
Furman -6 - Out
Samford – 5 - Out
Western Carolina - 4 – Out
The Citadel – 3 - Out
Wofford – 1 - Out

SoCon Wins Possible:
ETSU – 7
Mercer – 7
Chattanooga – 6
VMI -5
Western Carolina – 4
Furman – 4
Samford – 4
The Citadel – 2
Wofford – 0

- - - Updated - - -


Conklin’s 2019 Comp https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/570314422/202101379349302420/full



(A) Name and Title
Base
compensation
Retirement
deferred comp
Nontaxable
benefits
Total





JOSH CONKLIN
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
290,387

25,200

20,285
335,872





That's not a bad salary for an FCS head coach.

[PaladinNation]

well that was easy to find > Hendrix and Richey both make over $280,000 base.
I was actually more interested in finding the base salary for Richey.

I know this is a football board, and I love Furman football and SoCon football,
but Furman BB is on the verge of leapfrogging Football in priority and in PR value to the school.
Will Furman step up and make a head coach its highest salaried employee?

[FUBeAR]

Power Rankings:

1.) ETSU (+1)
2.) Mercer (+1)
3.) Chattanooga (-2)
4.) VMI (0)
5.) Furman (0)

Props to Mocs123 for giving Mercer credit for their victory over Chattanooga. FUBeAR truly appreciates your objectivity, but you may be the only Chattanooga Fan, Coach, or Player who has given Mercer ANY credit for defeating their Mocs.

Really never heard so much ‘we beat ourselves,’ ‘unforced errors (turnovers),’ ‘not impressed with Mercer,’ etc. crap after a game spewed out by a losing Team.

But it comes from the top I guess. Head Coach said about 1 of the forced fumbles, “Their guy didn’t even make a good play.” Maybe not…but it was good enough for a Mercer Cornerback to stand up one of Chatt’s 2 fan-proclaimed All-World RB’s (who ‘beat themselves’ by avg’ing 3.5 ypc vs. Mercer’s D instead of the 5.7 ypc they brought into the game) 1-on-1 in the open field, fight through a stiff arm to his facemask, reach in, and strip the ball from the RB’s other arm (see Post 24 in this thread, 0:40). And then the Moc’s HC alluded that the other RB’s lost Fumble (Mercer’s other CB hit the RB & the hit separated him from the ball) should have been called an incomplete pass. It was complete…he took 2 steps after clearly catching it / before he was hit (see Post 24 in this thread, 0:29).

Then I heard another All-World 6th year Chatt Player (who got whipped by a Mercer DE to give up a Strip Sack turnover on Chatt’s QB) proclaim, “If we played Mercer 20 times, we’d beat them 15 or 16 times, maybe more. We beat ourselves.” Um, no, you didn’t beat yourself. Mercer’s 2nd year DE beat you, 1-on-1, and knocked the ball out of your QB’s hands (see Post 24 in this thread, 0:35)…is just one example of the ‘beatings’ Mercer’s D put on Chatt’s O.

So, after 2 “imaginary wins” over Mercer in the past 7 months, we’re going to add 16, maybe more “imaginary wins” to that tally. Keep imagining & maybe Chatt will eventually reverse the ACTUAL 1-3 record they have in Macon and the ACTUAL 3-5 overall record vs. Mercer since 2014.


Now…no love for the Paladins? They just beat VMI a few days ago, but you have VMI ahead of them. Granted, the Keydets made a nice comeback from being down 17-0 early & down 2 scores in the 4th quarter, but Furman won the game. Oh…maybe VMI, also, beat themselves. xthumbsupx

[Reign of Terrier]

well that was easy to find > Hendrix and Richey both make over $280,000 base.
I was actually more interested in finding the base salary for Richey.

I know this is a football board, and I love Furman football and SoCon football,
but Furman BB is on the verge of leapfrogging Football in priority and in PR value to the school.
Will Furman step up and make a head coach its highest salaried employee?

Wofford is at that point too. And we are trying hard to kill football, it would seem.

[Mocs123]

Did the Mocs play well - No they didn't. Some of that was due to Mercer, who I thought were well coached and played hard, some of it, like missing a 22 yard FG and an XP wasn't, and some of it like Mercer recovering an onside kick that wasn't intended to be an onside kick is just luck*, But even the most talented teams can lose if they don't come to play, and luck is part of the game. I really thought the Mocs outplayed the Bears for the most part but we didn't put as many point on the board and that's the point of the game isn't it? Mercer is playing ETSU for the SoCon Championship this week, no matter which order you rank them in, I'm not sure how you can make any argument other that those are teams #1 and #2 at this point.

*To be fair I think Mercer had already won by that point. We aren't built to drive the length of the field in a minute of play or however much time was left.

As for VMI and Furman - I debated on flipping the two, as Furman just won the head to head, but in the end I really convinced myself that VMI had the better overall resume mostly due to two factors. 1.) They took my #2 team, the Mercer Bears to the woodshed (which I am still amazed and impressed by), and they beat my #3 team, the Mocs in OT. and 2.) They have the opportunity to get 7 D1 wins this week which still puts them on the bubble (probably the wrong side) for a playoff invite. Right or Wrong that was my logic in ranking VMI ahead of Furman, though admittedly it was close.

[Mocs123]

Just for my entertainment I checked out what Massey had for the SoCon rankings. Now, to be fair, I'm not sure what algorithms Massey uses for their rankings and I often don't agree, but do always find it interesting as some sort of objective ranking. The top three SoCon schools are closely grouped together with a sizeable gap before the next three schools, which are closely grouped, followed by the last three schools. For reference there are 128 teams in FCS.

#22 - ETSU
#25 - Chattanooga
#28 - Mercer

#46 - VMI
#51 - Samford
#52 - Furman

#66 - Western Carolina
#72 - Citadel
#79 - Wofford

[FUBeAR]

Just for my entertainment I checked out what Massey had for the SoCon rankings. Now, to be fair, I'm not sure what algorithms Massey uses for their rankings and I often don't agree, but do always find it interesting as some sort of objective ranking. The top three SoCon schools are closely grouped together with a sizeable gap before the next three schools, which are closely grouped, followed by the last three schools. For reference there are 128 teams in FCS.

#22 - ETSU
#25 - Chattanooga
#28 - Mercer

#46 - VMI
#51 - Samford
#52 - Furman

#66 - Western Carolina
#72 - Citadel
#79 - Wofford
Massey projected Mercer to go 1-9 this year. GIGO.

They almost have the groupings right now, but…

1- WCU should be way closer to those other 3
2 - the 2nd group should be a lot closer to the 1st group
3 - the top group should all be, roughly, 8-12 spots higher

[FUBeAR]

Did the Mocs play well - No they didn't. Some of that was due to Mercer, who I thought were well coached and played hard, some of it, like missing a 22 yard FG and an XP wasn't, and some of it like Mercer recovering an onside kick that wasn't intended to be an onside kick is just luck*, But even the most talented teams can lose if they don't come to play, and luck is part of the game. I really thought the Mocs outplayed the Bears for the most part but we didn't put as many point on the board and that's the point of the game isn't it? Mercer is playing ETSU for the SoCon Championship this week, no matter which order you rank them in, I'm not sure how you can make any argument other that those are teams #1 and #2 at this point.

*To be fair I think Mercer had already won by that point. We aren't built to drive the length of the field in a minute of play or however much time was left.

As for VMI and Furman - I debated on flipping the two, as Furman just won the head to head, but in the end I really convinced myself that VMI had the better overall resume mostly due to two factors. 1.) They took my #2 team, the Mercer Bears to the woodshed (which I am still amazed and impressed by), and they beat my #3 team, the Mocs in OT. and 2.) They have the opportunity to get 7 D1 wins this week which still puts them on the bubble (probably the wrong side) for a playoff invite. Right or Wrong that was my logic in ranking VMI ahead of Furman, though admittedly it was close.

You see “luck” and FUBeAR sees failure to properly Coach and/or failure to properly execute.

When FUBeAR was a lowly R-FR, he was on the Front wall of the KOR Team at FU. He was COACHED to ALWAYS expect the ball to be line drive kicked directly to him, regardless of the game situation. He was COACHED to not expect anything else until that ball went past him. So, taking that Coaching, FUBeAR internalized it and pretended he was a baseball Shortstop with the Kicker being the Batter…same ready stance, flexing hands, eyes glued to the ball…on EVERY Kickoff…until it passed him. Snagged one of those surprise hot bouncing grounders in the 2nd quarter @ Davidson in ‘79 because he was well-COACHED and executed what he had been Coached to do. Is that what happened on that “lucky” play last Saturday?

And, you’re right, FUBeAR had no concerns about Chatt’s Offense scoring a TD with a minute left if the Mocs couldn’t run the kickoff back. Because, after Chatt’s TD early in the 2nd quarter, regardless of how they are “built,” the Moc’s OFFENSE only crossed midfield 1 time for the rest of the game (about 40 minutes…or for almost 3 quarters)…and that was ‘all the way’ to the Mercer 48…on a 15 yard Targeting penalty, still in the 1st half. Chatt’s O NEVER crossed midfield in the 2nd half. But…FUBeAR heard Chatt’s HC say the Mocs O “ran up & down the field on ‘em.”

Seriously, y’all are kinda delusional. Anyone checked the Chatt water supply for traces of mescaline or something?

[ElCid]

Massey projected Mercer to go 1-9 this year. GIGO.

They almost have the groupings right now, but…

1- WCU should be way closer to those other 3
2 - the 2nd group should be a lot closer to the 1st group
3 - the top group should all be, roughly, 8-12 spots higher

But remember, this is for the entire year, not just the last few weeks.

Massey is not bad, but this year his entire computer ranking is a little out of sorts. The Spring/virus no doubt. One week he was below .500 picking FCS and that just does not happen. He is usually around 75-80%. In the games for the pick'em, he is only 65% for the year. For meeting spreads he is only 52%. In some cases, he was very close to the actual scores, but it could be just a case a broken clock being right twice a day. Sagarin is even worse, but not by much.

Also, and I mention this a lot, just looking at the rank number is not a good way to view it. For example, Furman is #52, but their rating is 4.66. WCU is #66, but their rating is 4.13. As an exercise is showing why the ranking is irrelevant, just say Furman was rated at 4.66 and WCU was at 4.60. That's almost the same. But if their were still 14 teams in the 4.61-4.65 range, WCU would still be ranked at #66. Therefore the ranking hides the true spread of the ratings. Conversely, say that Furman could still be #52 with 4.66 and WCU had a rating of 3.00, but if there are still 14 only teams between them it would hide the huge difference in ratings. And that is a huge rating difference. That is why I don't weigh the rank as much as the rating. Yes they are usually spread about the same, but not always. Sometimes clusters of teams are split by a few hundreds of a point.

[BearDownMU]

I also particularly enjoyed Wright's post game interview on local Channel 3 in Chatt when he said it's unfortunate when you "play harder than the other team" and don't get the outcome you are looking for. xdontknowx

[caribbeanhen]

I also particularly enjoyed Wright's post game interview on local Channel 3 in Chatt when he said it's unfortunate when you "play harder than the other team" and don't get the outcome you are looking for. xdontknowx

this is why I don’t listen to coaches when they are on the air

[FUBeAR]

I also particularly enjoyed Wright's post game interview on local Channel 3 in Chatt when he said it's unfortunate when you "play harder than the other team" and don't get the outcome you are looking for. xdontknowx
https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/45190737/mocs-stumble-at-mercer-lose-106 -Link or it didn’t happen. And, even if it did happen (which it did…of course), Chatt peeps will imagine that it didn’t.

I guess I can understand how there are Temptations to do that…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ4Ym9Xiw3w

[walliver]

WCU at VMI - WCU may be playing a little better, but VMI wins at home 38-35
Furman at Samford - The horsies are inconsistent, but not as inconsistent as Samford. Furman wins 31-24
A Citadel at Chattanooga - the Mocs have faltered, but keep their very slim at large chances alive 27-21
Mercer at ETSU - The mountain Pirates hold off the cubbies for a SoCon championship 31-28
Wofford at UNC - our basketball team beat the Tarheels our last two outings in Chapel Hill (at the Dean Dome and in Carmichael). I doubt they offer us a 2-for-1 again anytime soon. Unfortunately, this is football and the season comes to an unhappy end.

[cowboyearl]

Reign, I agree with you. I have first hand intimate knowledge of the bull**** that has gone on and continues to go on. Ayers and Young were ran off. Coach A is fishing and enjoying his grandkids and Coach Y is having an impact at VaTEch. So things turned out pretty good for them. Fat Rich is a problem, and no one seems to care. He wasn't a good bball coach, (Coach Young) was the brain in that operation. He is not even mediocre as an AD. He is a bully and a dictator and I can prove this (I have a very heartbreaking story but I would only share it privately. So if you want to hear it hit me up). I don't have an ax to grind that is why I don't post much about what I know. By the way, I was never a "major" donor, but I quit sending money way before Coach A retired. And to be quite frank, I love Woffy at core, but I don't care about or follow athletics much anymore.

[kdinva]

Samford 38, Furman 34
ETSU 27; Mercer 16
UTC 35; The Citadel 17
VMI 38, WCU 31
Heels over wofford.

[ElCid]

Samford 38, Furman 34
ETSU 27; Mercer 16
UTC 35; The Citadel 17
VMI 38, WCU 31
Heels over wofford.

That looks about right except we might keep it closer in Chatty. Mercer and ETSU might be a hair closer as well.

[FUBeAR]

Away
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https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wofford.png?width=30Wofford (http://woffordterriers.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/UNC.png?width=30North Carolina (http://goheels.com/)
12P
FUBeAR recently told his FU Teammate, whose son starts for UNC, not to have any mercy on the rat dogs on Sat. He replied that they won’t and that he hopes UNC’s check bounces. Cold, huh? The check will not bounce, but UNC is going to bounce the beige ankle biters back to SparkleCity.

UNC 77 - Wofford 0


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_wcu.png?width=30Western Carolina (https://catamountsports.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/VMI_spider_four_color-2015.png?width=30VMI (https://vmikeydets.com/)
12:30P
VMI is beat up and limping home from some tough battles, but the Cats had a physical game last week too. My goodness, every time they got a drive going, FUBeAR saw another ETSU player go down in a heap…only to be miraculously revived and back in 1or 2 plays later. VMI might still have a Playoff shot, but that wasn’t enough motivation to overcome Furman last week. FUBeAR just doesn’t see the Roos bouncing back well from the injuries & recent disappointments. Meanwhile, despite a tough loss to ETSU, the Cats are playing with house money. Purple tops Red/Gold again this week.

WCU 42 - VMI 38


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_furman.png?width=30Furman (http://www.furmanpaladins.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_samford.png?width=30Samford (http://www.samfordsports.com/)
1P
Both Teams expected a lot more from this season. Sammy had hoped to & almost did salvage something from this season by coming home with an SEC scalp, new shoes & matching belt. BUT, Dogs don’t do D. Hopefully, the Dins have settled on their QB after last week and they bring a strong run game to Homewood. Sammy peeps do not like to tackle. Furman wins this one and looks sharp doing it, foreshadowing how they will look in 2022.

Furman 35 - Samford 21


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_mercer.png?width=30Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2020/1/2/etsu_logo.png?width=30ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/)
1P
FUBeAR called the SoCon Championship semi-final games correctly over the past few weeks. No reason to think he’ll mis-prediculate the Championship game. This is gonna be a rip-snortin’ slobber-knocker. Both Teams want it bad, real bad. Thing is…Mercer may HAVE to have it so Monday is not turn-in day at the equipment room in Maconga. That’s a near-existential edge to the Bears. Also, FUBeAR is not really a ‘stats guy,’ but when he looks at the SoCon stats, Mercer & ETSU are very close in almost every category…except one stands out. Mercer is nearly the best and ETSU is dead-a$$ last in one that can change a game - Penalties. Penalties could play a big role in the outcome Saturday. When it comes down to it, FUBeAR thinks Mercer will be able to effectively contain (not stop, just contain) ETSU’s outstanding running game, as they did in the Spring, and will force, as they did vs. Chatt, a few key turnovers. The Bears will play it tight on O and find a way to win this game & their 1st-ever SoCon Championship…perhaps in OT.

Mercer 23 - ETSU 20


https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_citadel.png?width=30The Citadel (http://www.citadelsports.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_chatta_91.png?width=30Chattanooga (http://www.gomocs.com/)
1P
Chatt imagines their SoCon record is 6-1 and imagines they can clinch the SoCon Championship & the SoCon Autobid with a win over the luggage-toters. This works in their favor. Chatt also imagines all of their Defensive Players are prospective NFL 1st round draft picks. Facing a triple option O, this does not work in their favor - they gotta protect those knees to be able to stride up & bro-hug Pete Roselle or that new guy, Ralph Goodall when their names are called on Draft Day. But, Chatt does have a non-imaginary shot to make the Playoffs and they really want to get in to redeem themselves from their “win” over Mercer last week. Perhaps, they can meet the Bears in Round 2 and get their 3rd “win” over Mercer inside of 8 months.
Anyway, the Moc are motivated enough at home to put the Samsonite-Slingers miserable season to a much-needed rest.

Chatt(imagi)Nation 31 - Kinda Citadel-esque, I guess 7



Power Ranking

1) Mercer
2) Chattanooga
3) ETSU

4) Furman
4.1)WCU
6) VMI
7) Samford



8) That Citadel
9) Wofford

[ETSUfan1]

Chattanooga and VMI lose. Could the SoCon only get one in?

[FUBeAR]

Chattanooga and VMI lose. Could the SoCon only get one in?
After what you just watched, do you think Mercer is a Playoff-quality Team…or nah?

[ETSUfan1]

Sure. 6 wins gonna kill you though. Really hope we can make it into the top two this week in your rankings.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

By the way: y'all keep piling on Wofford. I want recruits and the general public to look at our program and athletic department as it currently states with contempt.

We have the money to buy out Conklin's contract. No way it's anywhere near 500k, it's probably somewhere between 100-300k. We just fundraised to get our endowment up to almost half a billion dollars. Obviously, it wouldn't come from that, but the point is, the people in charge would rather insult our intelligence, and police twitter for uncomfortable truths and no-no words with veiled threats/attempts at intimidation than they would making that sort of plan.

Richard Johnson ran off two of the best coaches that have ever coached in FCS and midmajor basketball. I don't know details, but that is the consensus of everyone I know who has spoken to those coaches. There's lots of examples of dumb **** he's done over the years, like invading locker rooms at half time over parking disputes and making female employees (who are just the sweetest people you'll interact with) cry. But he's seemingly untouchable. He's also cheap as ****. I've heard he lobbied the Socon (pre-pandemic) to cap the amount of money coaches are paid (right after Wofford made our little tourney run). That's why we're not going to pay out Conklin: we have an AD who likes to be a dictator, who is also cheap as ****, and with a terrier club that believes in the "Wofford Way" of not acknowledging a problem will make it go away, and the head coach who knows how to say all the right things in public, while being openly known as anti-vax on campus and a bitch to work with. He points fingers at players and coaches. I won't say everyone hates him, but at the very least lots of people do.

If we were a competent athletic institution, any of these people would have the sense of shame to resign. I'm only posting this now, at length, because I'm so jaded about this program right now that I'm tempted to not give it any money in any capacity (which thankfully, I have moved 500 miles away, so it's a little easier).

Hell, when the president of the booster club threatens/tries to intimidate one of the more passionate fans (I have screenshots that last forever) it sends a message: why the heck should I care what the program looks like now? We need to clean house.

If we don't fire Conklin it sends all the wrong messages about who Wofford is and what we aspire to be as a program: one that tolerates failure, toxic political discourse over recruiting, and a toxic work environment just because one guy is cheap.

I want nothing to do with that. For now, Basketball will be fine, but I'm worried about the long term of athletics for the first time I can remember, because once McAuley leaves we are probably going to hire a Conklin to ruin things for us.

Reading your post gave this ETSU fan a case of PTSD because that's what happened when Dave Mullins was running the show before he "retired" (If you really believe Mullins retired, I have bridges to sell you). What he did with football was well documented but did you know he gave then-head coach Paul Hamilton a contract extension a month or so before he pulled the plug on the football program (and you are thinking who does that). ETSU's "leadership team" claimed the football program was losing a million dollars a year (I still have a bunch of bridges to sell you).

Ed DeChellis, ETSU's basketball coach at the time, up and left for Penn State and after running off a number of good candidates, Mullins settled on one Murry Bartow (he was to ETSU basketball what Con Man Conklin was to Wofford football). Bartow did guide ETSU to the postseason but those appearances were few and farbetween. It was at that point that I all but swore off ETSU and began to identify myself as an Appalachian State fan (I went to grad school there). We eventually had a leadership change when Paul Stanton retired. When Brian Noland took over, he looked at athletics and made the decision to name Richard "Doc" Sander to take over the athletics department at ETSU. It was basically the equivalent of Big Brother replacing the Phranchise with Disneyland Danny White. Bartow left ETSU and enter the Forbesmeister Meisterforbes. ETSU made the decision to bring back football and IMHO had they timed the decision right, ETSU's football program would have been on solid footing at the jump.

My first choice to lead ETSU football back was ETSU alum Jamey Chadwell. His success since that time (see Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina) were well documented. Although I loved the idea of the Phranchise running point, the best we could get was Carl Torbush. Torbush was last head coach at UNC who lost to Furman in 1999 among others. Randy Sanders entered the picture when Torbush retired and I was pumped. The rest was history.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

After what you just watched, do you think Mercer is a Playoff-quality Team…or nah?

Mercer came a long way over the past year. If I was a Mercer fan, I would be saying that Mercer had nothing to be ashamed of. I am hoping beyond hope you guys get in because you have a solid team.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

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https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_mercer.png?width=30Mercer (http://www.mercerbears.com/)
https://soconsports.com/images/2020/1/2/etsu_logo.png?width=30ETSU (http://www.etsubucs.com/)
1P
FUBeAR called the SoCon Championship semi-final games correctly over the past few weeks. No reason to think he’ll mis-prediculate the Championship game. This is gonna be a rip-snortin’ slobber-knocker. Both Teams want it bad, real bad. Thing is…Mercer may HAVE to have it so Monday is not turn-in day at the equipment room in Maconga. That’s a near-existential edge to the Bears. Also, FUBeAR is not really a ‘stats guy,’ but when he looks at the SoCon stats, Mercer & ETSU are very close in almost every category…except one stands out. Mercer is nearly the best and ETSU is dead-a$$ last in one that can change a game - Penalties. Penalties could play a big role in the outcome Saturday. When it comes down to it, FUBeAR thinks Mercer will be able to effectively contain (not stop, just contain) ETSU’s outstanding running game, as they did in the Spring, and will force, as they did vs. Chatt, a few key turnovers. The Bears will play it tight on O and find a way to win this game & their 1st-ever SoCon Championship…perhaps in OT.

Mercer 23 - ETSU 20



Care for some Crow-Fil-A?

[OrangeAndBlack]

Just about every team on the bubble with Mercer also lost their game. It's the best case scenario going into the selection process. C'mon committee, put Mercer in!

[kdinva]

WCU at VMI - WCU may be playing a little better, but VMI wins at home 38-35


WCU played A LOT BETTER, VMI played well for maybe 22 minutes. WCU's QB, not the next coming of Kyler Murray, moved well enough to avoid at least five blitzes, led WCU w/88 yards rushing. 2nd period: tied at 21, WCU had 3rd and 20, VMI blitzed 7, he scrambles for 28, leads to a big TD. I don't think VMI got over that sloppy defensive play.

I won't mention Coach Bell running pass plays and double reverses late with a 45-24 lead.....

[ElCid]

My Dogs got it done today with some text book execution and long grinding drives. Plus some timely pass defense in a great second half. I thought we would fall apart after the late score just before half, but they pulled it together. Ruined Chatty's chances. I got the feeling they thought it was in the bag and were not quite up for the game. Never pays to under estimate a SOCON opponent.

ETSU deserves a seed. Running the SOCON is really hard, as evidenced by today's games. Mercer hard pressed to get a spot, but certainly possible.

[Mocs123]

Congrats to The Citadel - your team played hard today and didn't roll over.

Good luck to to ETSU in the playoffs and hopefully the Bears get a chance to get in. I'll be pulling for any SoCon team in the playoffs.

[wcugrad95]

Great championship game between Mercer and ETSU. I feel the Bucs should be a seeded team, and given Mercer could have easily won that game I have no idea why they wouldn’t get a bid, but stranger things have happened. The Citadel win is good for the Sandlappers, but ultimately bad for the league. Chatty was IMHO the only other teams with a chance at the playoffs, so we are at best a 2-team conference and possibly only 1.

For my Cats, we finished 4-1 in our last 5, 4-4 in conference, and tied for 4th (you could argue we should be the top of the teams tied since we beat the other 2 head-to-head, but what does that matter when you are talking about 4th place???). Picked dead last by coaches and media, all new coaches and systems with no Spring and literally 20 practices to start the season, Western easily could have won another couple of games including the season opener against EKU who is a playoff contender. Lots of guys coming back on offense and a lot of good looking commits from South Florida on D. I honestly can’t believe I am saying it, but the future is bright in Cullowhee!

[caribbeanhen]

Great championship game between Mercer and ETSU. I feel the Bucs should be a seeded team, and given Mercer could have easily won that game I have no idea why they wouldn’t get a bid, but stranger things have happened. The Citadel win is good for the Sandlappers, but ultimately bad for the league. Chatty was IMHO the only other teams with a chance at the playoffs, so we are at best a 2-team conference and possibly only 1.

For my Cats, we finished 4-1 in our last 5, 4-4 in conference, and tied for 4th (you could argue we should be the top of the teams tied since we beat the other 2 head-to-head, but what does that matter when you are talking about 4th place???). Picked dead last by coaches and media, all new coaches and systems with no Spring and literally 20 practices to start the season, Western easily could have won another couple of games including the season opener against EKU who is a playoff contender. Lots of guys coming back on offense and a lot of good looking commits from South Florida on D. I honestly can’t believe I am saying it, but the future is bright in Cullowhee!

I assume Wells is gone next year?

I totally agree with you that the future is bright now that you have Coach Bell

[wcugrad95]

Wells is gone, but 6’3” 225-lb Carlos Davis will step in as I think a RS JR. Davis played in a few games this year due to Wells getting injured, including a 400-yard SoCon POW performance. We return one of the 2 featured RBs, pretty much all of our 2-deep on O-line, and all of our top 5 WRs are back for at least 2 more season (our top 2 guys are RS FR Williams and FR Jones). I expect the offensive production we saw late in the season (believe we ended up as the highest scoring team in SoCon games) to be the offense we see to start next year. In the last 5 conference games we averaged over 43 points per game.

[FUBeAR]

Wells is gone, but 6’3” 225-lb Carlos Davis will step in as I think a RS JR. Davis played in a few games this year due to Wells getting injured, including a 400-yard SoCon POW performance. We return one of the 2 featured RBs, pretty much all of our 2-deep on O-line, and all of our top 5 WRs are back for at least 2 more season (our top 2 guys are RS FR Williams and FR Jones). I expect the offensive production we saw late in the season (believe we ended up as the highest scoring team in SoCon games) to be the offense we see to start next year. In the last 5 conference games we averaged over 43 points per game.Davis was very raw, but you could see him improving, almost within individual games. WCU, with a bit of improvement on D, will compete for the SoCon Championship next Fall.

[Reign of Terrier]

Well folks: I'm convinced that the socon should do what the SWAC, MEAC, and Ivy do and just do our own conference tournament (with four teams).

The latest bracket is a huge offense to the Socon even trying. I don't think Mercer curb stomping <picks a name out of a hat> Gardner Webb or some other random FCS team would have gotten them in.

Every time we get a seeded team, they're bracketed with NDSU. In the current bracket, the MVFC has a 100% chance of making the quarterfinals, and the Big Sky has a 66% chance of getting 2. Not a single down has been played. And if those probabilities are (somewhat) correct, that means the baseline probability of the Socon making the semis is lower than the Big Sky or MVFC. So even if these teams were even on paper, math says the socon wouldn't get too far.

At the same time, Villanova is basically sipping margs and has the easiest shot at the quarterfinals of any seeded team, and they earned that right by being located in the northeast.

If any non-socon fan is reading this and wondering "why doesn't the socon get so far in the playoffs as these other conferences." It's really because they don't give us bids and when they do, they stack the deck against us. I'm not under any delusion that the Socon has any elite teams right now (ETSU will hopefully prove me wrong), but I can't really tolerate people thinking great things about the CAA when they often get byes and tune up games against NEC and patriot leagues, or using a collective fallacy of "Big Sky and MVFC gets far, and therefore even .500 teams require deference compared to everyone else" when that's how the brackets are designed.

It's not Mercer (the team)"s fault that their AD messed up and didn't schedule a beatable D1 opponent. It's also not the team's fault that the MVFC and Big Sky can have 6-5 teams in the tournament. How can Mercer (the team, not the athletic department) change the perception that an 8-3 Mercer team is better than 6-5 UNI team. How can a team from the Southland or Southland or whatever league is going on among the former southland teams?

The answer is they can't. It's a disservice to our student athletes and IMO it degrades the quality of the conference. We should leave.

[caribbeanhen]

Wells is gone, but 6’3” 225-lb Carlos Davis will step in as I think a RS JR. Davis played in a few games this year due to Wells getting injured, including a 400-yard SoCon POW performance. We return one of the 2 featured RBs, pretty much all of our 2-deep on O-line, and all of our top 5 WRs are back for at least 2 more season (our top 2 guys are RS FR Williams and FR Jones). I expect the offensive production we saw late in the season (believe we ended up as the highest scoring team in SoCon games) to be the offense we see to start next year. In the last 5 conference games we averaged over 43 points per game.

kind of like a Sam Houston before Keeler put together a defense?

[FUBeAR]

Well folks: I'm convinced that the socon should do what the SWAC, MEAC, and Ivy do and just do our own conference tournament (with four teams).

The latest bracket is a huge offense to the Socon even trying. I don't think Mercer curb stomping <picks a name out of a hat> Gardner Webb or some other random FCS team would have gotten them in.

Every time we get a seeded team, they're bracketed with NDSU. In the current bracket, the MVFC has a 100% chance of making the quarterfinals, and the Big Sky has a 66% chance of getting 2. Not a single down has been played. And if those probabilities are (somewhat) correct, that means the baseline probability of the Socon making the semis is lower than the Big Sky or MVFC. So even if these teams were even on paper, math says the socon wouldn't get too far.

At the same time, Villanova is basically sipping margs and has the easiest shot at the quarterfinals of any seeded team, and they earned that right by being located in the northeast.

If any non-socon fan is reading this and wondering "why doesn't the socon get so far in the playoffs as these other conferences." It's really because they don't give us bids and when they do, they stack the deck against us. I'm not under any delusion that the Socon has any elite teams right now (ETSU will hopefully prove me wrong), but I can't really tolerate people thinking great things about the CAA when they often get byes and tune up games against NEC and patriot leagues, or using a collective fallacy of "Big Sky and MVFC gets far, and therefore even .500 teams require deference compared to everyone else" when that's how the brackets are designed.

It's not Mercer (the team)"s fault that their AD messed up and didn't schedule a beatable D1 opponent. It's also not the team's fault that the MVFC and Big Sky can have 6-5 teams in the tournament. How can Mercer (the team, not the athletic department) change the perception that an 8-3 Mercer team is better than 6-5 UNI team. How can a team from the Southland or Southland or whatever league is going on among the former southland teams?

The answer is they can't. It's a disservice to our student athletes and IMO it degrades the quality of the conference. We should leave.
SoS Circular Logic is real and the triple stacked Playoff deck (Byes, Home Games, Regional ‘gifts’) driven by it all but prevent proving its existence.

Mercer had an f’d up schedule & 1 bad day. In a 4 Team Playoff, they should be eliminated for these 2 transgressions; not in a 24 Team bracket. 23 of 24 Teams in the Playoff had at least 1 bad day and many of their schedules are laughable and/or padded with PFL & Dixie State wins.

Mercer beat 2 Teams that scared the crap out of 2 SEC Teams. The Bears were a female pubic hair away from beating a Top 8 seed at their place that beat an SEC Team…badly. They also competed admirably well (don’t tell me about the score until you’ve watched the game) against the Defending FBS National Champion SEC Team.

If ETSU is a #7 seed, which they ARE…or better, Mercer is, at worst, a Top 10-15 FCS Team, but their own scheduling issue and, mostly, the seriously F’d up system mentioned above prevents them from having a chance to prove that on the field.

FUBeAR was on the sidelines yesterday and watched when those Mercer kids walked off the field for the last time. If he had a real human heart, it would be breaking for them today. FUBeAR hates the word “fair” being applied to almost any situation. If he would allow himself to use it on occasion, this is such an occasion. It is just not fair that Mercer is not in the Playoffs.

NOTE: FUBeAR does not intend to ‘argue’ this with anyone. He knows what he knows.

[Reign of Terrier]

SoS Circular Logic is real and the triple stacked Playoff deck (Byes, Home Games, Regional ‘gifts’) driven by it all but prevent proving its existence.

Mercer had an f’d up schedule & 1 bad day. In a 4 Team Playoff, they should be eliminated for these 2 transgressions; not in a 24 Team bracket. 23 of 24 Teams in the Playoff had at least 1 bad day and many of their schedules are laughable and/or padded with PFL & Dixie State wins.

Mercer beat 2 Teams that scared the crap out of 2 SEC Teams. The Bears were a female pubic hair away from beating a Top 8 seed at their place that beat an SEC Team…badly. They also competed admirably well (don’t tell me about the score until you’ve watched the game) against the Defending FBS National Champion SEC Team.

If ETSU is a #7 seed, which they ARE…or better, Mercer is, at worst, a Top 10-15 FCS Team, but their own scheduling issue and, mostly, the seriously F’d up system mentioned above prevents them from having a chance to prove that on the field.

FUBeAR was on the sidelines yesterday and watched when those Mercer kids walked off the field for the last time. If he had a real human heart, it would be breaking for them today. FUBeAR hates the word “fair” being applied to almost any situation. If he would allow himself to use it on occasion, this is such an occasion. It is just not fair that Mercer is not in the Playoffs.

NOTE: FUBeAR does not intend to ‘argue’ this with anyone. He knows what he knows.

It really doesn't make logical sense to say that ETSU is the 7th best team in the country and Mercer isn't in the top 24 when it was a missed field goal from OT.

But what's funny is with all these internet arguments is that the only consistent principle that runs through all of them is that "lol Socon no"

Today I heard "who in the playoff field has Mercer beat" which is a replacement argument for "where is the quality win?" Which, fine, but in 2017 Western Carolina beat Samford (who got in) and 2018 Furman beat Wofford (who got in).

The committee needs to set firm criteria to not only include teams but also to exclude them, because it changes every year.

2017: the principle was "don't lose to a 6-5 team if you're a socon team and don't schedule Hawaii and get an extra FBS loss (reason for excluding Western-who was 7-3 against FCS, with 2 quality losses to playoff teams and a win against Samford)
2018: the principle was "don't get a game canceled over a hurricane" (Furman)
2021: the principle was "play an FCS ooc" the problem is I have a hard time thinking they put Mercer in at 8-3 if they schedule, say, two soft pioneer schools over UNI.

I mean, the Socon has a readily available counterexample that is very similar to 2021 UNI: 2019 Citadel, which beat a top 10 Furman team (at the time), beat an FBS Georgia Tech, and scheduled two CAA teams (Towson and Elon) who made the playoffs the previous season. They also lost one game by one point (Chattanooga) and another in double OT. They were never in the conversation though because arbitrary internet rankings and anti-Socon bias.

Because, quite frankly, if your argument is "schedule tougher and win big games" it's apparent that the 2019 Citadel team is a walking embodiment of the point that the committee will never ever ever ever see the Socon in the same way they do the MVFC. That team had a tough schedule and big wins, and yes stumbled, but so have many 6 win MVFC teams that made the field.

If the principle was "win big games against playoff opponents, 2017, 2018 Furman, 2019 Citadel, and 2021 Mercer would get in. If the principle was "don't lose half of your conference games" or "don't only win 6 games total, they wouldn't frequently let MVFC teams in." If the principle was "bad losses will hurt you," Sacramento State shouldn't get a seed. For every example of a supposed principle you can state, I can find a counterexample.

The reason why I support the Socon just splitting off and doing our damn thing is because there is no consistent standard except "**** the socon." They screw over our bubble teams like this, and prevent our teams from getting favorable seeding. We're more likely to be sent to Fargo in the second game than we are to g et a seed in the first place.

As I've stated many times before, the principles of getting into the 16 team playoff were pretty simple: don't have bad losses, win at least 8 games, a nd don't play in an undermanned conference like the NEC. It was hard to get into the field, but you knew you deserved it when you got in. Now it's just a laughable MVFC-Big Sky-SHSU-JMU challenge because they won't even give bubble teams bids anymore. It's just wild to me that a team like Wofford in 2002 could go 9-3 and miss the playoffs (in spite of having 2 road wins against playoff teams and a loss to the eventual runner up) and there was no "muh SOS" like there is right now for any middling 6-5 UNI team. the message then was "don't lose to a 6-6 decent VMI team." It's just laughable right now.

This isn't taking our ball and going home, it's realizing that the ball was never ours in the first place and playing our game. And you know what, who cares? Our basketball league is better and no one cares about FCS down south or nationally. We deserve better. Our athletes deserve more respect for their efforts, and it can't be more disrespected than it is right now.

[Reign of Terrier]

The consolidation is actually getting worse:

In 2012, the last year there was only 22 teams in the bracket, 12 at large, 4 of the at large were to teams outside of the MVFC, Big Sky, and CAA.

Today, only 3 were given.

Since the expansion of the playoffs to beyond 16 teams, not counting the COVID year (which had 0), this is the least amount of at large bids allocated to the have nots, in spite of their being 1 more bid available. This year is a weird year because there's 11 autobids instead of 10, so there's 1 less at large bid than in previous years, which have 4 or 5.

[Mocs123]

Overall a very disappointing year for the SoCon - I felt confident that we would get two teams in, maybe three. Before this week we had four teams in the hunt, but Chattanooga and VMI crapped the bed, and though Mercer put up a valiant effort against the Bucs, by losing they only ended up with six D1 wins, a completely self inflicted wound by only playing 10 games with one being a non D1 school.

If the SoCon wants more teams in the playoffs, we need to play D1 OOC games (most teams do currently) and win them. The way the SoCon is right now, we are going to beat each other up and your probably not getting through the conference unscathed.

The second thing we need is to not get beat every time we play KSU in the playoffs. We all need ETSU to beat KSU when they play and put up a good fight against NDSU.

[Reign of Terrier]

Fun fact: the big sky played an equally or less challenging OOC than the socon did. They won more FBS games, yes. But their overall schedule for OOC FCS was a joke.

I don't think scheduling better will accomplish much. It's just one of the many narratives people repeat to distract from the rigged system and ever moving goal posts we have to deal with.

[Mocs123]

Fun fact: the big sky played an equally or less challenging OOC than the socon did. They won more FBS games, yes. But their overall schedule for OOC FCS was a joke.

I don't think scheduling better will accomplish much. It's just one of the many narratives people repeat to distract from the rigged system and ever moving goal posts we have to deal with.

But did they win their OOC games? SoCon losses aside, if the Mocs had beaten Austin Peay we'd likely have been in, or if Mercer had played Gardner Webb or heck even Presbyterian and won, they would have had 7 D1 wins and been in.

[FUBeAR]

Fun fact: the big sky played an equally or less challenging OOC than the socon did. They won more FBS games, yes. But their overall schedule for OOC FCS was a joke.

I don't think scheduling better will accomplish much. It's just one of the many narratives people repeat to distract from the rigged system and ever moving goal posts we have to deal with.

Big Sky Playoff Teams FBS wins…



FCS TEAM
SCORE
FBS TEAM


UC Davis
19-17
Tulsa (5-6, G5)


Eastern Washington
35-33 (2OT)
UNLV (2-9, G5)


Montana
13-7
Washington (4-7, P5)



Wow…mostly G5’s with combined records of 11-22…most will probably lose their 12th game, so 11-25 (.305) is likely.

Meanwhile, SoCon Teams were badly scaring (2x) and/or competing admirably (1x) with & even defeating (1x) SEC Teams this year.

An OT win over UNLV and a 2-point win over Tulsa should probably count AGAINST Teams being considered for the Playoffs. xeyebrowx

Give the BSC this…they are Top of the Heap Master Schedulers!

It’s really too bad that Davidson has supplanted San Diego as the best PFL Team. It was fun watching San Diego beat the Big Sky’s best in the Playoffs almost every year. Now we have to settle for watching a Southern Team pounding Davidson instead.

[walliver]

The SoCon needs someone to make a deep run to earn back respect. We've had too many one-and-done playoff appearances. We also have rarely had good matchups in the playoffs lately. Somehow regionalization sends SoCon teams to North Dakota in early rounds.

Hopefully the mountain pirates can make some noise this year.

[FUBeAR]

The SoCon needs someone to make a deep run to earn back respect. We've had too many one-and-done playoff appearances. We also have rarely had good matchups in the playoffs lately. Somehow regionalization sends SoCon teams to North Dakota in early rounds.

Hopefully the mountain pirates can make some noise this year.

If they get by KSU / Davidson (as they should), they will HEAR plenty of noise.

The Bison have a FCS playoffs record of 28-1 in the Fargodome. As the No. 2 seed, NDSU will have home field advantage through the semifinal round.

Making noise?…only 1 of the 3 deck-stacking techniques ‘got’ the Bucs, but it’s a BIG one….maybe they can overcome it.

[FUBeAR]

FWIW -

- Mercer was the last Team IN in the STATS Poll released today…ahead of 6-5 Northern Iowa

- the Coaches Poll has Northern Iowa as the last Team in and Eastern Kentucky as the 1st Team out…followed (or preceded, I guess) by Mercer as the 2nd to last Team out…and Chattanooga (even after losing to CIT & losing their last 2 games) as the 3rd to last Team out.

- the mysterious SRS voodoo calculation has still not been updated since 2019.

[Catamount87]

...... FUBeAR hates the word “fair” being applied to almost any situation. If he would allow himself to use it on occasion, this is such an occasion. It is just not fair that Mercer is not in the Playoffs.

NOTE: FUBeAR does not intend to ‘argue’ this with anyone. He knows what he knows.


As a junior econ major at WCU, I had to take a class on Public Finance. We were broken up into groups who then had to develop and defend our own tax plan and structure. Throughout the year I and my group continually did poorly on quizzes and tests. I continually argued throughout the semester, at times honestly argued with the professor, Dr Tye (RIP), that what we were really debating wasn't tax plans and structures but the definition of "fair".

I ended up with an A and the highest final grade in the class. When I asked him why he said that it was simple, I was the one that "got it" when I argued that the real debate was about the definition of "fair".

So, my friend, what we are really debating is the definition of fair. Like you, and I suspect many SoCon fans, Mercer got screwed because our definition of "fair" is clearly different than the NCAA and the selection committees' definition.

[FUBeAR]

As a junior econ major at WCU, I had to take a class on Public Finance. We were broken up into groups who then had to develop and defend our own tax plan and structure. Throughout the year I and my group continually did poorly on quizzes and tests. I continually argued throughout the semester, at times honestly argued with the professor, Dr Tye (RIP), that what we were really debating wasn't tax plans and structures but the definition of "fair".

I ended up with an A and the highest final grade in the class. When I asked him why he said that it was simple, I was the one that "got it" when I argued that the real debate was about the definition of "fair".

So, my friend, what we are really debating is the definition of fair. Like you, and I suspect many SoCon fans, Mercer got screwed because our definition of "fair" is clearly different than the NCAA and the selection committees' definition.
Agreed - much like pornography - really hard to define, but you know it when you see it…or more accurately, we can more readily discern unfairness when we see it. And when we see it repeated on a consistent basis, it becomes much easier to see & ultimately define.

The SoCon is not a 1 bid league.

Anyone who argues that it is either doesn’t know Football (which I would imagine applies to many Selection Committee Members) or is just defending their turf.

Thus…to only have 1 SoCon Team in the Playoffs is self-defining as unfair.

[Mocs123]

I agree the SoCon isn't a 1 bid league and should have gotten another team in but we didn't do ourselves any favors. The Mocs lost 3 winnable games - at least 1 to a team we shouldn't have lost to on paper, and finished the season with only 6 D1 wins. VMI looked Jackal and Hyde near the end of the year and only finished with 6 D1 wins, and Mercer scheduled themselves into 6 D1 wins. I thought the SoCon would finish with 3 or 4 teams with 7 D1 wins, but we did not finish strong. Not that I think the SoCon would have gotten 4 teams in, but if Mercer had beaten ETSU, VMI had beaten WCU, and the Mocs had beaten The Citadel, we would have had 4 teams with playoff worthy resumes but two of the SoCon's best teams couldn't get it done at the end of the year.

I think part of the problem is that while most conferences are strong at the top and weak at the bottom allowing the strong teams to rack up easy wins, the SoCon has more parity and we beat each other up. For example, look at WCU, who has been a SoCon bottom feeder for the better part of the decade (2014 not withstanding) - I mean who wants to play them right now? The team that finished last in the conference has won 2 out of the last 3 Championships and was ranked earlier in the season. Most conferences have a few weeks where a decent team can play sub par football and still win, but in the SoCon you have to bring it every week.

[Milktruck74]

Agreed - much like pornography - really hard to define, but you know it when you see it…

I referenced this quote from Justice Stewart earlier in the year on this very platform, and I believe it was during a discussion with you!!! hahahah.

And to chime in on the fairness discussion...As much as it pains me to say, Mercer got hosed. There is no way a 6th place team in the MVFC is better than the runner up in the SoCon. NO WAY!!!! Hell, UNI didn't even think they were that good...I'll bet their Equipment managers are scrambling trying to re-issue helmets and shoulder pads this morning!!!!

[atthewbon]

I agree the SoCon isn't a 1 bid league and should have gotten another team in but we didn't do ourselves any favors. The Mocs lost 3 winnable games - at least 1 to a team we shouldn't have lost to on paper, and finished the season with only 6 D1 wins. VMI looked Jackal and Hyde near the end of the year and only finished with 6 D1 wins, and Mercer scheduled themselves into 6 D1 wins. I thought the SoCon would finish with 3 or 4 teams with 7 D1 wins, but we did not finish strong. Not that I think the SoCon would have gotten 4 teams in, but if Mercer had beaten ETSU, VMI had beaten WCU, and the Mocs had beaten The Citadel, we would have had 4 teams with playoff worthy resumes but two of the SoCon's best teams couldn't get it done at the end of the year.

I think part of the problem is that while most conferences are strong at the top and weak at the bottom allowing the strong teams to rack up easy wins, the SoCon has more parity and we beat each other up. For example, look at WCU, who has been a SoCon bottom feeder for the better part of the decade (2014 not withstanding) - I mean who wants to play them right now? The team that finished last in the conference has won 2 out of the last 3 Championships and was ranked earlier in the season. Most conferences have a few weeks where a decent team can play sub par football and still win, but in the SoCon you have to bring it every week.

I’ll preface this by saying I personally think that Mercer should have gotten in. But as you said the SOCON really screwed themselves the last couple of weeks. The SOCON could just as easily have been a 4 bid league instead of 1 if a couple games went another direction. But the SOCON or any other conference shouldn’t be guaranteed more than 1 bid just for being a “good” conference it should be based on the teams resume and this year the resume’s for teams in the SOCON just weren’t that good. I think Mercer should have gotten in but they had as many fcs wins as the 6 win UNI a lot of people don’t think should have gotten in (UNI had much more impressive wins but more losses). I’m biased but I feel pretty confident UNI beats Mercer on a neutral field this year.

[FUBeAR]

These are probably the last 2 MVFC Teams selected.

2021 Southern Illinois Football Schedule (7-4 (with a non-schollie PFL win) / 5-3)


Oct. 30
at Northern Iowa (https://fbschedules.com/northern-iowa-football-schedule/)
L 23-16


Nov. 6
Missouri State (https://fbschedules.com/missouri-state-football-schedule/)
L 38-28


Nov. 13
at Indiana State (https://fbschedules.com/indiana-state-football-schedule/)
W 47-21


Nov. 20
Youngstown State (https://fbschedules.com/youngstown-state-football-schedule/)
L 35-18



STRONG 1-3 FINISH!

But wait…2 of those are Playoff Teams…at least 1 of which got in BECAUSE of their win over S. ILL - circular logic


2021 Northern Iowa Football Schedule (6-5 (with a non-schollie PFL win) / 4-4)


Oct. 9
at North Dakota State (https://fbschedules.com/north-dakota-state-football-schedule/)
L 34-20


Oct. 16
South Dakota (https://fbschedules.com/south-dakota-football-schedule/)
L 34-21


Oct. 23
at South Dakota State (https://fbschedules.com/south-dakota-state-football-schedule/)
W 26-17


Oct. 30
Southern Illinois (https://fbschedules.com/southern-illinois-football-schedule/)
W 23-16


Nov. 6
at Illinois Sta (https://fbschedules.com/illinois-state-football-schedule/)te
L 17-10(OT)


Nov. 13
at Missouri Sta (https://fbschedules.com/missouri-state-football-schedule/)te
L 34-27



SWEET 2-4 Late Season RUN!

But wait…those are 3 Playoff Teams they lost to…circular logic (see above)


There’s more..and Big Sky is worse…and all IN the Playoffs


Yet…a SoCon Team with a failure in Paper Shuffling & 1 bad day is OUT.

[HootyHoo]

The SoCon needs someone to make a deep run to earn back respect. We've had too many one-and-done playoff appearances. We also have rarely had good matchups in the playoffs lately. Somehow regionalization sends SoCon teams to North Dakota in early rounds.

Hopefully the mountain pirates can make some noise this year.

Let's be honest, the Bison aren't the ones eliminating you in early rounds. Im not trolling, just stating the fact that KSU has eliminated a SOCON three times in three tries. I feel like this board needs to hear some hard truths. Mercer is nowhere near a top 15 team. they are top 30 at best. The standard of the SOCON has fallen. Programs that used to be consistent contenders such as Furman, Samford, and Wofford are wallowing in mediocrity.

I say this with love. The SOCON is a one bid league now.

Your only hope is to invite KSU and hope we say yes.

If you can't beat em, Join em.

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR remains highly impressed that Kennesaw was able to hold off NAIA Reinhardt for a hard fought close victory for the owlets.

Not only that, coming from behind with 11 seconds left to edge out 4-7 Gardner-Webb showed tremendous resilience by KSU.

And just 2 weeks later, coming from behind with under a minute to play to just slip by 3-8 UNA. That took a true “refuse to lose” effort.

FUBeAR definitely is giving Kennesaw a good chance to upset non-schollie Davidson.

[ksu_owls]

FUBeAR remains highly impressed that Kennesaw was able to hold off NAIA Reinhardt for a hard fought close victory for the owlets.

Not only that, coming from behind with 11 seconds left to edge out 4-7 Gardner-Webb showed tremendous resilience by KSU.

And just 2 weeks later, coming from behind with under a minute to play to just slip by 3-8 UNA. That took a true “refuse to lose” effort.

FUBeAR definitely is giving Kennesaw a good chance to upset non-schollie Davidson.
What does FUBeAR think of the potential KSU/ETSU matchup? Assuming we beat Davidson, which I think we will, I’m expecting a tough game with the winner being whoever has fewer turnovers.

[Reign of Terrier]

My analysis of someone who has a love/hate relationship with KSU (love them because I think they're a good program, hate them because they eliminate us, love them because they validate a lot of my arguments about the FCS being messed up without me looking like a homer, hate them because one of their broadcasters has some very dumb takes on twitter that makes him and Kennesaw look like arrogant jackasses that are just factually wrong) and who has a "respect and concern" relationship (respect because they've built a good program and have great fans; concerned that they will surpass my terriers permanently at one point):

KSU has a tough, elite defense. But this ETSU team is the most balanced and probably best Socon team they'll ever face. People (including that aforementioned KSU commentator) like to say that ETSU's QB is average or garbage when he's actually completing something like 64% of his passes, has 16 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, and his 19th in the country in pass efficiency, including second among freshmen and in the top 12 of QBs in the playoffs. I don't think that's a bad quarterback. I mean, broadcaster dudebro is in my mentions on twitter searching so so hard for a bad game and his best one is...Furman? Where he completed 67% of his passes, with no picks, and the game winning touchdown with less than a minute left? Wild.

My point is, ETSU has an elite run game, and a very good pass game. They're an odd team in that their defense isn't bad, but it's not elite either. It's hard to explain. I'm used to teams either being on a spectrum of NDSU with an elite defense and an above average to very very good offense to a team like Samford which has an elite offense and an awful defense. ETSU strikes me as an above average defense and a very very good offense (not sure if they're elite though!). It's very much like they have a different strategy week-to-week, pending on the opponent is. Quite frankly, they have a higher ceiling than any of the other teams that have come out of the socon in the last few years because of their balance on offense.

As for KSU, it's the same old same old. I wrote a blog post (https://woffordfans.com/the-kennesaw-state-conundrum/)leading up to the KSU-Wofford game this year: you can't dismiss KSU just because they play a weak schedule and sometimes have off games. My evaluation of them, in general, is that the only reason games like North Alabama and Gardner Webb are close is because they get bored because they know they can win, even if they half ass it. But when the lights come on and it's playoff time and they get focused (and they don't turn the ball over) they can beat most teams. KSU has an elite defense and they're the best option team in the country (they're the best at what they do there).

I've learned to not count out KSU, but I think if there's a socon team that can beat them and maybe even convincingly so (though that result is unlikely, I will say), it's ETSU.

[ksu_owls]

My analysis of someone who has a love/hate relationship with KSU (love them because I think they're a good program, hate them because they eliminate us, love them because they validate a lot of my arguments about the FCS being messed up without me looking like a homer, hate them because one of their broadcasters has some very dumb takes on twitter that makes him and Kennesaw look like arrogant jackasses that are just factually wrong) and who has a "respect and concern" relationship (respect because they've built a good program and have great fans; concerned that they will surpass my terriers permanently at one point):

KSU has a tough, elite defense. But this ETSU team is the most balanced and probably best Socon team they'll ever face. People (including that aforementioned KSU commentator) like to say that ETSU's QB is average or garbage when he's actually completing something like 64% of his passes, has 16 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, and his 19th in the country in pass efficiency, including second among freshmen and in the top 12 of QBs in the playoffs. I don't think that's a bad quarterback. I mean, broadcaster dudebro is in my mentions on twitter searching so so hard for a bad game and his best one is...Furman? Where he completed 67% of his passes, with no picks, and the game winning touchdown with less than a minute left? Wild.

My point is, ETSU has an elite run game, and a very good pass game. They're an odd team in that their defense isn't bad, but it's not elite either. It's hard to explain. I'm used to teams either being on a spectrum of NDSU with an elite defense and an above average to very very good offense to a team like Samford which has an elite offense and an awful defense. ETSU strikes me as an above average defense and a very very good offense (not sure if they're elite though!). It's very much like they have a different strategy week-to-week, pending on the opponent is. Quite frankly, they have a higher ceiling than any of the other teams that have come out of the socon in the last few years because of their balance on offense.

As for KSU, it's the same old same old. I wrote a blog post (https://woffordfans.com/the-kennesaw-state-conundrum/)leading up to the KSU-Wofford game this year: you can't dismiss KSU just because they play a weak schedule and sometimes have off games. My evaluation of them, in general, is that the only reason games like North Alabama and Gardner Webb are close is because they get bored because they know they can win, even if they half ass it. But when the lights come on and it's playoff time and they get focused (and they don't turn the ball over) they can beat most teams. KSU has an elite defense and they're the best option team in the country (they're the best at what they do there).

I've learned to not count out KSU, but I think if there's a socon team that can beat them and maybe even convincingly so (though that result is unlikely, I will say), it's ETSU.
Love this take. Completely fair and balanced. I’ve said over and over I think ETSU is a great team. Assuming we beat Davidson, I really see our second round match up being a nail-biter.

[HootyHoo]

My analysis of someone who has a love/hate relationship with KSU (love them because I think they're a good program, hate them because they eliminate us, love them because they validate a lot of my arguments about the FCS being messed up without me looking like a homer, hate them because one of their broadcasters has some very dumb takes on twitter that makes him and Kennesaw look like arrogant jackasses that are just factually wrong) and who has a "respect and concern" relationship (respect because they've built a good program and have great fans; concerned that they will surpass my terriers permanently at one point):

KSU has a tough, elite defense. But this ETSU team is the most balanced and probably best Socon team they'll ever face. People (including that aforementioned KSU commentator) like to say that ETSU's QB is average or garbage when he's actually completing something like 64% of his passes, has 16 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, and his 19th in the country in pass efficiency, including second among freshmen and in the top 12 of QBs in the playoffs. I don't think that's a bad quarterback. I mean, broadcaster dudebro is in my mentions on twitter searching so so hard for a bad game and his best one is...Furman? Where he completed 67% of his passes, with no picks, and the game winning touchdown with less than a minute left? Wild.

My point is, ETSU has an elite run game, and a very good pass game. They're an odd team in that their defense isn't bad, but it's not elite either. It's hard to explain. I'm used to teams either being on a spectrum of NDSU with an elite defense and an above average to very very good offense to a team like Samford which has an elite offense and an awful defense. ETSU strikes me as an above average defense and a very very good offense (not sure if they're elite though!). It's very much like they have a different strategy week-to-week, pending on the opponent is. Quite frankly, they have a higher ceiling than any of the other teams that have come out of the socon in the last few years because of their balance on offense.

As for KSU, it's the same old same old. I wrote a blog post (https://woffordfans.com/the-kennesaw-state-conundrum/)leading up to the KSU-Wofford game this year: you can't dismiss KSU just because they play a weak schedule and sometimes have off games. My evaluation of them, in general, is that the only reason games like North Alabama and Gardner Webb are close is because they get bored because they know they can win, even if they half ass it. But when the lights come on and it's playoff time and they get focused (and they don't turn the ball over) they can beat most teams. KSU has an elite defense and they're the best option team in the country (they're the best at what they do there).

I've learned to not count out KSU, but I think if there's a socon team that can beat them and maybe even convincingly so (though that result is unlikely, I will say), it's ETSU.

Your Liege lord Hooty commends you on your respect of the Owls Option. I agree with you that ETSU is the best SOCON team we’ve played in the postseason. The Bucs have an elite backfield. It will be a fun matchup.

[FUBeAR]

Wow…Chatt’s hometown paper, usually Head Cheerleader for the Mocs, stopped just short of rolling out the “ChattaQuitta” moniker in this article woodshedding their hometown favorites. They did use some form of the word “quit” in the headline and 5 more times in the article.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/columns/story/2021/nov/22/wiedmer-did-utc-football-quit-its-best-chance/558398/

Did UTC football quit on its best chance at a title?


It’s paywall-protected, but your teens can show you how to read it, if you’re so inclined.

Here’s just one quote…

Especially when you're [Athletic Director, Mark] Wharton, and you had envisioned the spring season as a way to generate desperately needed dollars only to have football coach Rusty Wright and his team view it otherwise. Wright never really seemed to want to play it, and because he didn't, the players sort of fell in line and midway through it, they all just up and quit.

OUCH!!

[The Cats]

Here's an easy to get to "free" view of that article... https://news.yahoo.com/mark-wiedmer-did-utc-football-050100259.html
(https://news.yahoo.com/mark-wiedmer-did-utc-football-050100259.html)

Wow…Chatt’s hometown paper, usually Head Cheerleader for the Mocs, stopped just short of rolling out the “ChattaQuitta” moniker in this article woodshedding their hometown favorites. They did use some form of the word “quit” in the headline and 5 more times in the article.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/columns/story/2021/nov/22/wiedmer-did-utc-football-quit-its-best-chance/558398/

Did UTC football quit on its best chance at a title?


It’s paywall-protected, but your teens can show you how to read it, if you’re so inclined.

Here’s just one quote…

Especially when you're [Athletic Director, Mark] Wharton, and you had envisioned the spring season as a way to generate desperately needed dollars only to have football coach Rusty Wright and his team view it otherwise. Wright never really seemed to want to play it, and because he didn't, the players sort of fell in line and midway through it, they all just up and quit.

OUCH!!

[caribbeanhen]

Wow…Chatt’s hometown paper, usually Head Cheerleader for the Mocs, stopped just short of rolling out the “ChattaQuitta” moniker in this article woodshedding their hometown favorites. They did use some form of the word “quit” in the headline and 5 more times in the article.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/columns/story/2021/nov/22/wiedmer-did-utc-football-quit-its-best-chance/558398/

Did UTC football quit on its best chance at a title?


It’s paywall-protected, but your teens can show you how to read it, if you’re so inclined.

Here’s just one quote…

Especially when you're [Athletic Director, Mark] Wharton, and you had envisioned the spring season as a way to generate desperately needed dollars only to have football coach Rusty Wright and his team view it otherwise. Wright never really seemed to want to play it, and because he didn't, the players sort of fell in line and midway through it, they all just up and quit.

OUCH!!

I watched most of the ETSU game this morning

Ill take WR #13 any day

looks like ETSU can be passed on

Tough loss for Mercer and I say with Caribbean confidence you’re better than a half dozen playoff teams

get em next year

[FUBeAR]

I watched most of the ETSU game this morning

Ill take WR #13 any day

looks like ETSU can be passed on

Tough loss for Mercer and I say with Caribbean confidence you’re better than a half dozen playoff teams

get em next year
Thanks - you’re right. I’d say more like a dozen (or more), but the positive assessment is appreciated.

You know…FUBeAR was fortunate enough to be on Mercer’s sidelines for the game…and he knew he was watching one heck of a Football game, but until he watched the ESPN replay last night, he didn’t truly realize what a great game that must’ve been for fans (not knowing the outcome) to have tuned in & watched live.

Both Teams were ALL OUT every play, the lead changed hands 6 times, including in the final minutes, and the outcome came down to the last play. ETSU’s Color guy, who does know a little ball, but is usually such a “homer” that FUBeAR gets a bit queasy listening to him, became suddenly neutral in the 3rd quarter - praising and criticizing Players from both Teams almost equally as the game kept going. Also, the Home crowd noise, and could even hear Mercer’s crowd chanting “DE-FENSE” at one point, and the band was loud and rocking!

Again…if ETSU merits a #7 Seed (and they do), Mercer is a Top 10-15 Team (at worst). That was clear to anyone watching the game, including the ETSU Announcers.

Regardless, if you didn’t see it live…FUBeAR highly recommends dialing up the ESPN App replay…but only if you really love College Football…because that’s how it’s supposed to look, sound, and feel!

[Reign of Terrier]

Your Liege lord Hooty commends you on your respect of the Owls Option. I agree with you that ETSU is the best SOCON team we’ve played in the postseason. The Bucs have an elite backfield. It will be a fun matchup.

Never ever ever change

[Mocs123]

Wow…Chatt’s hometown paper, usually Head Cheerleader for the Mocs, stopped just short of rolling out the “ChattaQuitta” moniker in this article woodshedding their hometown favorites. They did use some form of the word “quit” in the headline and 5 more times in the article.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/columns/story/2021/nov/22/wiedmer-did-utc-football-quit-its-best-chance/558398/

Did UTC football quit on its best chance at a title?


It’s paywall-protected, but your teens can show you how to read it, if you’re so inclined.

Here’s just one quote…

Especially when you're [Athletic Director, Mark] Wharton, and you had envisioned the spring season as a way to generate desperately needed dollars only to have football coach Rusty Wright and his team view it otherwise. Wright never really seemed to want to play it, and because he didn't, the players sort of fell in line and midway through it, they all just up and quit.

OUCH!!

Wiedmer never writes anything positive about the Mocs, in fact he's made quite the career out of bashing the Mocs at times. He's the Times-Free Press' negative nancy and you rarely ever see anything positive he writes. I'm sure part of that is by design, as you probably don't want your beat writer for the Mocs, Vols, Dogs, or Tide going negative on their team so he plays the proverbial bad guy. I'm not saying everything he writes is wrong, but sometimes he can spin a good (negative) yarn just to have something to write.

While I certainly agree the program needs money - true of most FCS programs (see Furman quitting baseball - a program they were competitive in) I'm not sure we were ever going to get any from the spring season. The first two home games were without fans, and any future games had a max capacity of around 5K (25%) so no matter what happened in the spring, I doubt you're making any money.

There has been lots of debate about whether opting out of the spring season was the right decision. If the reason was to stay healthy for the fall season, I'd say it was a success - we only had one starter out with an injury (we had another out with the flu) vs. The Citadel, vs the ten starters we had out with injuries at the end of the 2019 season, but I think the whole goal of playing football is to win games, and in that we came up short.

Obviously we will never know what would have happened in the spring if the Mocs had finished the season, but it seems like we had a decent shot at a SoCon title and the playoffs, or course we had a pretty good shot at a SoCon title and the playoffs in the fall too but couldn't execute when it counted. By putting all the eggs in the fall 2021 season and then falling short, there are a lot of disappointed Mocs fans at this point. The road doesn't get any easier in 2022.

[Catamount87]

looks like ETSU can be passed on

Tough loss for Mercer and I say with Caribbean confidence you’re better than a half dozen playoff teams

get em next year

ETSU's weakness is pass defense. Here are some telling stats.

Pass Defense: 8th in SoCon, 244-384 (63.5%), 2,686 yards, 15 INTs, 15 TDs (that's 1/2 of all TDs scored on them) 244.6 ypg
Oppts 1st downs: 76 rushing (38.2%) , 123 passing (61.8%)
Play Balance: 361 rushing (48.5%), 384 passing (51.5%)

[gofurman]

My analysis of someone who has a love/hate relationship with KSU (love them because I think they're a good program, hate them because they eliminate us, love them because they validate a lot of my arguments about the FCS being messed up without me looking like a homer, hate them because one of their broadcasters has some very dumb takes on twitter that makes him and Kennesaw look like arrogant jackasses that are just factually wrong) and who has a "respect and concern" relationship (respect because they've built a good program and have great fans; concerned that they will surpass my terriers permanently at one point):

KSU has a tough, elite defense. But this ETSU team is the most balanced and probably best Socon team they'll ever face. People (including that aforementioned KSU commentator) like to say that ETSU's QB is average or garbage when he's actually completing something like 64% of his passes, has 16 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, and his 19th in the country in pass efficiency, including second among freshmen and in the top 12 of QBs in the playoffs. I don't think that's a bad quarterback. I mean, broadcaster dudebro is in my mentions on twitter searching so so hard for a bad game and his best one is...Furman? Where he completed 67% of his passes, with no picks, and the game winning touchdown with less than a minute left? Wild.

My point is, ETSU has an elite run game, and a very good pass game. They're an odd team in that their defense isn't bad, but it's not elite either. It's hard to explain. I'm used to teams either being on a spectrum of NDSU with an elite defense and an above average to very very good offense to a team like Samford which has an elite offense and an awful defense. ETSU strikes me as an above average defense and a very very good offense (not sure if they're elite though!). It's very much like they have a different strategy week-to-week, pending on the opponent is. Quite frankly, they have a higher ceiling than any of the other teams that have come out of the socon in the last few years because of their balance on offense.

As for KSU, it's the same old same old. I wrote a blog post (https://woffordfans.com/the-kennesaw-state-conundrum/)leading up to the KSU-Wofford game this year: you can't dismiss KSU just because they play a weak schedule and sometimes have off games. My evaluation of them, in general, is that the only reason games like North Alabama and Gardner Webb are close is because they get bored because they know they can win, even if they half ass it. But when the lights come on and it's playoff time and they get focused (and they don't turn the ball over) they can beat most teams. KSU has an elite defense and they're the best option team in the country (they're the best at what they do there).

I've learned to not count out KSU, but I think if there's a socon team that can beat them and maybe even convincingly so (though that result is unlikely, I will say), it's ETSU.

i think this is fair. And if ETSU wins it proves the SoCon really did have more - Furman coulda shoulda beat ETSU as FU lost on the very last play to ETSU. … and Mercer lost 38-35. .. And Chattanooga Beat ETSU.. ..IE ETSU was not head and shoulders above the league in any way.

So even if it’s close with ETSU and KSU you have to wonder if the SoCon didn’t deserve another team in the playoffs

[FUBeAR]

Too early to start an off-season thread as some Team may Covid out…

…but this is big news…

https://footballscoop.com/news/wofford-terriers-josh-conklin-broyles-award-staff-changes

Sources: Wofford making multiple staff changes on both offense, defenseA trio of changes are coming on the offensive side of the ball as sources tell FootballScoop the staff is planning to switch to a new offensive system. In connection with the switch, offensive assistants Freddie Brown (wideouts), Trey Johnson (offensive line) and B.J. Connolly (tight ends) are being released from their contracts sources tell FootballScoop.

Additionally, multiple changes are coming for Wofford on the defensive side of the ball – where defensive backs coach Paul Holmes and outside linebackers coach Luke Johnson are both expected to be released as well.

[Reign of Terrier]

I don't think I've seen a fan base so small and yet so unanimously against our coach, with proven receipts of ineptitude and failure.

And the athletic director will do NOTHING.

These firings make no sense, neither does the attempt to build out our fifth offense in as many years starting next season. Conklin is quite clearly in over his head. The culture is dying. It's truly sad and pathetic.

[walliver]

There's nothing really surprising about major coaching replacements, you don't bring everybody back from a 1-10 team. The coaches who stay may well be gone after next season.

What does surprise me is bringing in a "new" offense while keeping the offensive co-coordinators. The sad thing is that all Conklin had to do when he came was bring in an offensive coordinator capable of adding an effective passing option to our existing offense.

Ironically, the offense actually looked pretty good in the last two games.

[ElCid]

There's nothing really surprising about major coaching replacements, you don't bring everybody back from a 1-10 team. The coaches who stay may well be gone after next season.

What does surprise me is bringing in a "new" offense while keeping the offensive co-coordinators. The sad thing is that all Conklin had to do when he came was bring in an offensive coordinator capable of adding an effective passing option to our existing offense.

Ironically, the offense actually looked pretty good in the last two games.

You guys, and the school admin, as a whole are being patient. It's funny to think how Wofford, as small as you are, did so well over the years. I am certain that the use of the option was the decisive factor. It is an equalizer. Too much data to refute that. But more than that, and one I haven't heard discussed much, is the ultimate factor that Ayers played. He was Wofford. Players came and went, but he had a machine in place to recruit and develop players, and execute games. You can't just replace that in a few years. It will slowly fade if you don't find someone of near brilliance. And you obviously haven't yet. The idea of discarding the pure option, in my opinion, was a bad one. Wofford will never compete in recruiting key players with a lot of other schools. Just my opinion due to higher scholastics, size, and location maybe although I like Sparkle City. I know It has been a modification rather than discarding of your O, a slow modification with stutter steps here and there over the past few seasons, but it ain't working yet and obviously headed in the wrong direction. The other problem is holding on to a coach. Unless you are at the top, and FCS isn't obviously, holding onto a coach for more than 5-8 years at most is downright impossible. At least successful coaches. The days of having an Ayers are probably over. And recruiting an option coach of ability is hard enough. So I get the desire to broaden the O in addition to any desire to win big. It will be interesting to see how long your patience lasts. You may have a lost decade before your suffering is over.

[Reign of Terrier]

The option is not why we were successful. FFS we are a better place to recruit than VMI and they're succeeding with an offense that has 0 resemblance to the option.

Wofford's academics are no harder than Richmond or Villanova or William & Mary, all teams that didn't run the option and experienced decent success, including national titles and semifinal runs.

We are where we are because our coach rode the coat tails of great assistants. They left for greener pastures and his delusional ass thought he could get a P5 job. Now he's firing everyone but himself.

[ElCid]

The option is not why we were successful. FFS we are a better place to recruit than VMI and they're succeeding with an offense that has 0 resemblance to the option.

Wofford's academics are no harder than Richmond or Villanova or William & Mary, all teams that didn't run the option and experienced decent success, including national titles and semifinal runs.

We are where we are because our coach rode the coat tails of great assistants. They left for greener pastures and his delusional ass thought he could get a P5 job. Now he's firing everyone but himself.

Maybe, but Wofford is small even compared to all of those others mentioned, and that impacts as well. 1/4-1/3 the size for undergrads (1,700 as compared to 4,400, 7,000, 6,400). Size matters, to a degree. Also it's hard to compare to VMI or The Citadel because of the military aspect. Sometimes it hurts, and occasionally it helps. That is a different dimension when it comes to recruiting. And neither has sustained a high level for more than a couple years. But the coat tail explanation is applicable for sure.