SoCon 2023 Predictions and Power Rankings - Week 7 [Archive]

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The Cats

October 8th, 2023, 02:06 PM

Here we are at Week #7 - time to pick'em

-Pick Week #7 winners and losers:
Furman (4-1, 2-0 SoCon) at Samford (3-3, 2-2 SoCon)
VMI (2-3, 1-1 SoCon) at The Citadel (0-6, 0-3 SoCon)
Wofford (0-6, 0-3 SoCon) at ETSU (1-4, 0-2 SoCon)
Chattanooga (4-2, 3-1 SoCon) at Mercer (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)

SoCon Power Rankings

1. (2) Western Carolina (5-1, 3-0SoCon)
Next: Bye

2. (1) Furman (4-1, 2-0 SoCon)
Next: at Samford (3-3, 2-2 SoCon)

3. (3) Chattanooga (4-1, 3-0 SoCon)
Next: at Mercer (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)

4. (5) Samford (3-3, 2-2 SoCon)
Next: at Wofford (0-6, 0-3 SoCon)

5. (4) Mercer (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)
Next: Chattanooga (4-1, 3-0 SoCon)

6. (6) VMI (2-3, 1-1 SoCon)
Next: at The Citadel(0-6, 0-3 SoCon)

7. (7) ETSU (1-4, 0-2 SoCon)
Next: Wofford (0-6, 0-3 SoCon)

8. (9) The Citadel (0-6, 0-3 SoCon)
Next: VMI (2-3, 1-1 SoCon)

9. (8) Wofford (0-6, 0-3 SoCon)
Next: at ETSU (1-4, 0-2 SoCon)

wcugrad95

October 8th, 2023, 06:20 PM

Big weekend coming up. Furman @ Samford will be very interesting. The Paladins were certainly in control of their game Saturday, but they still let Citadel hang around. Samford seems to be finding themselves a little, so I expect a battle by them at home against the top-5 FU squad. UTC now has to travel to Mercer after a heart-breaking loss at home to Western. I think the Mocs are a top-20 type of team, but I also think Mercer is that good, too. It will be telling if the Mocs can rebound and play well.

Then you have the bottom-tier of the conference facing off. The highlight is the VMI at Citadel annual showdown. I think Citadel has shown they are getting a little better the last two weeks, but that game is typically a toss-up. ETSU and Wofford round it out in what will most likely be a competitive game between 2 teams who really want to get another win.

ElCid

October 8th, 2023, 06:34 PM

Then you have the bottom-tier of the conference facing off. The highlight is the VMI at Citadel annual showdown. I think Citadel has shown they are getting a little better the last two weeks, but that game is typically a toss-up. ETSU and Wofford round it out in what will most likely be a competitive game between 2 teams who really want to get another win.

In order to get "another" win, you have to have gotten one already. Wofford is O'fer, and ETSU is Div I O'fer.

VMI hasn't been great, but at least they have Ws. But we've been atrocious. The Dogs will be very hungry and we seem to have improved, a little. Even if we seem to be relying on trick plays. I still give VMI the edge, but within a score.

bonarae

October 8th, 2023, 08:53 PM

Furman
VMI - toss-up
ETSU
UTC

FUBeAR

October 9th, 2023, 12:34 AM

Are we supposed to include The Citadel in SoCon Power Rankings or nah?

https://i.postimg.cc/Xqth6qrZ/IMG-0796.jpg

Catamount87

October 9th, 2023, 09:37 AM

Are we supposed to include The Citadel in SoCon Power Rankings or nah?

https://i.postimg.cc/Xqth6qrZ/IMG-0796.jpg

HAHAHAHA!!!

Now to a serious question for you FUBeAR. I watched the Furman/Citadel game yesterday and thought the Furman offensive line play was inconsistent, especially in the first half. Objectively as you can be, what were your thoughts there? Was it them not taking the Citadel seriously, Citadel's defensive line playing up or something else?

That said, I also thought the Furman pass defense was really good. Those DBs were all over the Citadel receivers all day long. Now that could be better speed but my bet it was a combo of better speed, good coaching/play calling and game strategy along with some poor QB play tossed in.

Catamount87

October 9th, 2023, 10:14 AM

Predictions
Furman at Samford - Samford's air force doesn't have army/marine support to stop the Din's balanced ground and air assault
VMI at The Citadel - The Dogs are trying to find new tricks but the Roos will bounce just a bit more.
Wofford at ETSU - Terriers defense will be the difference in an otherwise hapless offensive display by both.
UTC at Mercer - Can the Mocs recover after such an emotional game? Mercer looks to prove any doubters wrong.

SoCon Power Rankings

1-a. Furman - Looked a little sloppy early on against the Dogs.
1-b. WCU - Showed heart and soul, offensive efficiency, defensive fortitude and special teams supremacy
3. Chattanooga - Showed heart and soul and why they're a top 20 team and let down by a lack of fan support
4. Mercer - Quietly getting it done and not getting enough national respect
5. Samford - Finding their air legs but still are missing their ground legs
6. VMI - doing just enough to not be part of the SoCon hapless bowl competition
7. ETSU - slightly but not out of the SoCon hapless bowl competition. Is Coach Q's seat getting warm yet?
8. Wofford - Second leading candidate for SoCon hapless bowl can an offense get any more hapless?
9. The Citadel - First leading candidate for the SoCon hapless bowl. Can this dog learn any new tricks?

Mocs123

October 9th, 2023, 10:30 AM

Are we supposed to include The Citadel in SoCon Power Rankings or nah?

https://i.postimg.cc/Xqth6qrZ/IMG-0796.jpg

Maybe the new SoCon Commissioner is reading this board and is taking your advice to remove them from the SoCon due to poor football performance?

SU DOG

October 9th, 2023, 10:32 AM

Catamount87

October 9th, 2023, 10:58 AM

Maybe the new SoCon Commissioner is reading this board and is taking your advice to remove them from the SoCon due to poor football performance?

Or has the SoCon quietly adopted the "relegation" rules that are used in the the European football leagues?

PaladinNation

October 9th, 2023, 11:11 AM

Hey 87, while I agree that Furman has some terrific DBs (Blackshear, Chizik, Ryan, etc.) who can cover like crazy, I must have seen a different game than you did vs The Citadel. Stat wise this was Cit's best passing game of the year by far. They were 19 of 34 had 239 yards thru the air and averaged 12.6 yds/completion. Granted, FU gave up no passing TDs and had 2 interceptions, so maybe this is what you referenced?

Furman will as CCH said need to clean up a few things, for this next stretch. CCH made an interesting comment post game, that the Citadel QB threw some passes that they didn't see him make on film. Sometimes you gotta give the other guy credit, the Citadel QB was in the zone, maybe some of that was on Furman. But I think he deserves some credit. The deep ball he threw was a perfect pass. The other big pass play was a trick play. Furman players afterward, as you would expect were hard on themselves. Huff felt like they had an uninspired week of practice. Me thinks they might have been looking ahead to playing you guys.

Be careful for what you wish for. Furman has the potential to be a wrecking crew when all these pieces come together. I also think Furman had a vanillia game play offensively against the dogs. Other than that double reverse that hope i hope we don't see again this season. Sounds like Roberto should be at full speed for you guys.

FUBeAR

October 9th, 2023, 11:25 AM

Furman’s Defensive Statistics / Rankings* vs. FCS Teams

3RD DOWN CONVERSION PCT DEFENSE = .321 / #16 FCS / #1 SoCon
4TH DOWN CONVERSION PCT DEFENSE = .273 / #12 FCS / #1 SoCon
FIRST DOWNS DEFENSE/GAME = 17 / #14 FCS / #1 SoCon
FUMBLES RECOVERED/GAME = 1 / #11 FCS / #1 SoCon
PASSES INTERCEPTED/GAME = 1.75 / #3 FCS / #1 SoCon
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED/GAME = 220.5 / #70 FCS / #5 SoCon
RED ZONE DEFENSE = .555 / #2 FCS / #1 SoCon
RUSHING DEFENSE = 111 YPG / #26 FCS / #1 SoCon
SCORING DEFENSE = 16.5 PPG / #10 FCS / #1 SoCon
TEAM PASSING EFFICIENCY DEFENSE = 117.97 / #19 FCS / #1 SoCon
TEAM SACKS/GAME = 1.25 / #98 FCS / #7 SoCon
TEAM TACKLES FOR LOSS/GAME = 6.25 / #37 FCS / #2 SoCon
TOTAL DEFENSE = 331.5 YPG / #31 FCS / #2 SoCon
TURNOVERS GAINED/GAME = 2.75 / #4 FCS / #1 SoCon
TURNOVER MARGIN/GAME = 1.75 / #2 FCS / #1 SoCon

* Statistics & Rankings exclude the Furman @ South Carolina game, but do not reflect removal of non-FCS (FBS, D2, D3, NAIA, or Fake Teams) Statistics for any other FCS or SoCon Team. If you would like to improve this analysis by calculating those statistics / rankings for all SoCon and/or FCS Teams, have at it. Otherwise, FUBeAR sez … Talk to the screen.

SU DOG

October 9th, 2023, 11:38 AM

Furman will as CCH said need to clean up a few things, for this next stretch. CCH made an interesting comment post game, that the Citadel QB threw some passes that they didn't see him make on film. Sometimes you gotta give the other guy credit, the Citadel QB was in the zone, maybe some of that was on Furman. But I think he deserves some credit. The deep ball he threw was a perfect pass. The other big pass play was a trick play. Furman players afterward, as you would expect were hard on themselves. Huff felt like they had an uninspired week of practice. Me thinks they might have been looking ahead to playing you guys.

Be careful for what you wish for. Furman has the potential to be a wrecking crew when all these pieces come together. I also think Furman had a vanillia game play offensively against the dogs. Other than that double reverse that hope i hope we don't see again this season. Sounds like Roberto should be at full speed for you guys.

Yeah, giving The Citadel passing game credit, in this particular contest was the gist of my post. No disrespect for the Paladins who are not top 5 in the country for no reason. Having said that, however, I do think my Bulldogs have a chance Saturday. Maybe I can wish for Furman to be looking ahead to Western. LOL

wcugrad95

October 9th, 2023, 11:49 AM

Keeping it to FCS games, here are Furman's opponent's output so far:
TN Tech: 1-3 against FCS and averaging 8.5 pts/game with a high of 17 on the season - 34 total points in 4 FCS games including getting shut-out Saturday against Lindenwood
KSU: 0-5 against FCS and averaging 17 pts/game with a high of 28 on the season (against Furman) - 85 points in those 5 games
Mercer: 4-1 against FCS and averaging 28.2 pts/game - 141 total points in those 5 games - this was the most impressive win by the Paladins
Citadel: 0-5 against FCS and averaging 9.6 pts/game with a tie for high points at 14 (against Furman) - 48 total points in those 5 games

I honestly believe Furman has a very good defense, and they looked really good against the best FCS offensive team they have faced so far (Mercer). But I expect those numbers to go up after the Paladins play Samford, Western, and UTC in the back-half of the season. If the Paladins hold those 3 teams down to 24 or less and win all 3 of those games, Furman should be a really high seed.

Mocs123

October 9th, 2023, 01:11 PM

I'm not saying KSU is a good team or not, but they are hard to judge this year. I think they played a lot of players against UTC and Furman that they've not played against anyone else.

FUBeAR

October 9th, 2023, 01:40 PM

I'm not saying KSU is a good team or not, but they are hard to judge this year. I think they played a lot of players against UTC and Furman that they've not played against anyone else.
* KSU A Team games (4) - Chatt, FU. TennSt, SHSU

* KSU B Team games (5) - Tusculum, TennTech, ChasSou, Lincoln (CA), VUL

wcugrad95

October 9th, 2023, 01:43 PM

Really hard to gauge KSU. I saw their QB throw for over 300 against the Paladins, and then he threw for 76 against TN Tech and 85 against ChazSouth. We played the Bucs and hard for me to comprehend those stats by the same QB. But it was the same guy in all 3 of those games.

DATE
OPP
RESULT
CMP
ATT
YDS
CMP%
AVG
TD
INT
LNG
SACK
RTG
QBR

Sat 10/7
vshttps://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2634.png&h=40&w=40 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2634/tennessee-state-tigers)TNST (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2634/tennessee-state-tigers)

L

27-20
(https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540608)
12
29
144
41.4
5.0
0
1
29
4
76.2
-

Sat 9/30
@https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2127.png&h=40&w=40 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2127/charleston-southern-buccaneers)CHSO (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2127/charleston-southern-buccaneers)

L

13-10
(https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540473)
8
16
85
50.0
5.3
0
0
25
0
94.6
-

Sat 9/23
@https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2635.png&h=40&w=40 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2635/tennessee-tech-golden-eagles)TNTC (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2635/tennessee-tech-golden-eagles)

L

17-7
(https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540535)
8
24
76
33.3
3.2
1
0
29
3
73.7
-

Sat 9/16
vshttps://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/231.png&h=40&w=40 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/231/furman-paladins)FUR (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/231/furman-paladins)

L

31-28
(https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540598)
17
31
308
54.8
9.9
2
1
61
1
153.1
-

Sat 9/9
@https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/236.png&h=40&w=40 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/236/chattanooga-mocs)UTC (https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/236/chattanooga-mocs)

L

27-20
(https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401540581)
12
16
181
75.0
11.3
1
0
53
5
190.7
-

Of course he is a 5th-year Senior, so no need to save his elgibilty.

FUBeAR

October 9th, 2023, 08:58 PM

Massey…IF FUBeAR understands this correctly, SoS (Strength of Schedule) applies to games already played and SSF (Strength of Schedule Future or Forward) applies to remaining games.

Lower Digit Rank/Higher Rating = Harder Schedule

Any bearing on the SoCon race as it heads around the far turn?

Team
SoS
SoS
SSF
SSF

FCS
Rank
Rating
FCS
Rank
Rating
Rank
Change
Rating
Change
Change from
1st Half
of Season

Citadel (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/1545)
28
35.89
40
30.94
+12
-4.95
Easier

W Carolina (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/8742)
36
33.15
46
29.94
+10
-3.21
Easier

Chattanooga (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/7809)
80
25.03
53
29.36
-27
+4.33
Harder

Wofford (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/9126)
66
28.91
56
29.22
-10
+0.31
Harder

Samford (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/6987)
55
30.21
58
29.13
+3
+1.08
Easier

Furman (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/2800)
61
29.72
59
28.81
-2
-0.91
Mixed

VMI (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/8450)
82
24.86
63
27.94
-19
3.08
Harder

ETSU (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/2321)
47
30.84
65
27.70
+18
-1.08
Easier

Mercer (https://masseyratings.com/cf2023/4649)
72
27.54
68
27.10
-4
-0.44
Mixed

Looks like Chatt might have the toughest road in terms of overall AND compared to what they have faced…but Alabama is reflected in there whereas the other 4 ‘contendahs’ have already played their respective FBS P5 SEC opponents (Arkansas, Auburn, South Carolina, and Ole Miss)…so, it may be the Catamounts with the most difficult path…but they are already accustomed to the level of competition they will be facing.

Mocs123

October 10th, 2023, 09:44 AM

Furman – 35 – This could be a trap game for the Paladins, but I think they escape Birmingham with the win.
Samford - 24

VMI -27 – The game of the year for these two programs, but I think the Silver Shako spends the next year in Virginia.
The Citadel -24

Wofford - 17
ETSU – 21 – Two teams struggling to figure out who they are, so I’ll give the edge to the home team in a close one.

Chattanooga – 28 – The Mocs face another tough SoCon opponent, can they bounce back? I think they go to Macon and get a close, hard-fought win.
Mercer -24

Power Rankings

Furman – Still sitting on top…..barely
Western Carolina – Huge win last week
Chattanooga – Desperately trying to stay in the playoff hunt
Mercer - Strong team flying under the radar
Samford – Talented team that is looking to ruin someone’s season
ETSU – Still trying to find their identity
VMI – The Keydets are getting ready for their Super Bowl this week
Wofford – Can solid D win the Terriers a couple more games?
The Citadel – Have the Bulldogs found some life….and a passing attack?

caribbeanhen

October 10th, 2023, 09:59 AM

El Citadel Beats VMI

SU DOG

October 10th, 2023, 10:21 AM

Furman @ SAMFORD - There seems to be an intangible for this Paladin team in that they can turn on another gear when threatened. If you notice, really good teams do just that. Huff is such a threat both on the ground and thru the air, I dunno how you can contain him. Enough of these accolades for the Purple, however, I cannot pick against my team and I say Samford gets the upset win.

VMI @ The Citadel - I think The Citadel wins at home and gets the Silver Shako.

Wofford @ ETSU - Bucs have many problems with injuries, discipline, and morale. Terriers get an upset win.

UTC @ Mercer - This is a hard pick. I could see it going either way. Since I'm upset minded this week, I take the Mocs to win it.

wcugrad95

October 10th, 2023, 10:29 AM

Citadel and VMI is always a battle. I have not watched a ton of VMI yet. Their mud-bowl game against Wofford was honestly tough to evaluate either team and that is the game I watched the most of. I have watched Citadel more (mainly because we played them). I saw a team with at least more energy and fight the last 2 weeks against WCU and Furman vs what they seemed to have the first part of the season.

Sir William

October 10th, 2023, 01:31 PM

Furman over Samford
VMI over The Citadel
ETSU over Wofford
Mercer over Chattanooga

Power Rankings

1) Furman
2) W Carolina
3) Mercer
4) Chattanooga
5) Samford
6) VMI
7) ETSU
8) Wofford
9) The Citadel

FUBeAR

October 10th, 2023, 02:07 PM

Furman over Samford
VMI over The Citadel
ETSU over Wofford
Mercer over Chattanooga

Power Rankings

1) Furman
2) W Carolina
3) Mercer
4) Chattanooga
5) Samford
6) VMIhttps://www.usd266.com/domain/1865
7) ETSU
8) Wofford
9) The CitadelFUBeAR knows it’s scary, but you are safe here. You CAN rank Mercer ahead of WCU.

https://www.usd266.com/cms/lib/KS02213491/Centricity/Domain/1803/Bullying%20Stop%20Sign%20cp.jpg

Sir William

October 10th, 2023, 04:02 PM

FUBeAR knows it’s scary, but you are safe here. You CAN rank Mercer ahead of WCU.

Not yet. (Lol!) But soon.

wcugrad95

October 10th, 2023, 04:32 PM

You CAN rank Wofford and Citadel at the top, but that would also be incorrect xlolx

FUBeAR

October 10th, 2023, 05:16 PM

You CAN rank Wofford and Citadel at the top, but that would also be incorrect xlolxIncorrect?

Guess somebody musta broke a mirror in the Ramsey Center in the middle of the last decade then.

Mercer Football vs. Western Carolina Football Series History
2016 to Present

Date
Season
Location
WINNER
LOSER
Score
SCORE
DIFFERENCE

10/8/2022
2022
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
49 - 6

43

10/9/2021
2021
Cullowhee, N.C.
MERCER
WCU
34 - 24

10

3/20/2021
2020
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
45 - 28

17

8/31/2019
2019
Cullowhee, N.C.
MERCER
WCU
49 - 27

22

10/20/2018
2018
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
59 - 46

13

11/11/2017
2017
Cullowhee, N.C.
MERCER
WCU
35 - 33

2

10/15/2016
2016
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
38 - 24
14

TOTALS

7 MERCER WINS
7 WCU LOSSES
309 - 188 /
44.1 - 26.9 AVG
121 /
17.3 AVG

wcugrad95

October 10th, 2023, 05:26 PM

I really don't know what any of that has to do with a game that WCU and Mercer will play in 3 weeks. Western is doing a lot of things this season that they haven't done in decades. No doubt last year was a woodshed game, but I feel a lot better about WCU's roster and depth now than I have in a long time. Samford beat Furman last year in Greenville, does that mean you are picking SU to beat FU this year?

The good thing is that in the SOCON we will actually get to find out when all the teams finish playing one another.

FUBeAR

October 10th, 2023, 06:01 PM

I really don't know what any of that has to do with a game that WCU and Mercer will play in 3 weeks.
FUBeAR will burn that bridge when he comes to it. Until then, Mercer is the Catamounts' Daddy.

And you should stop bullying the other posters. They have an AGS 1st Defendant Right to express their own opinions without being subjected to your threats!

OrangeAndBlack

October 10th, 2023, 10:33 PM

Incorrect?

Guess somebody musta broke a mirror in the Ramsey Center in the middle of the last decade then.

Mercer Football vs. Western Carolina Football Series History
2016 to Present

Date
Season
Location
WINNER
LOSER
Score
SCORE
DIFFERENCE

10/8/2022
2022
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
49 - 6

43

10/9/2021
2021
Cullowhee, N.C.
MERCER
WCU
34 - 24

10

3/20/2021
2020
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
45 - 28

17

8/31/2019
2019
Cullowhee, N.C.
MERCER
WCU
49 - 27

22

10/20/2018
2018
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
59 - 46

13

11/11/2017
2017
Cullowhee, N.C.
MERCER
WCU
35 - 33

2

10/15/2016
2016
Macon, Ga.
MERCER
WCU
38 - 24
14

TOTALS

7 MERCER WINS
7 WCU LOSSES
309 - 188 /
44.1 - 26.9 AVG
121 /
17.3 AVG

CASE CLOSED! xnodx

gofurman

October 11th, 2023, 01:19 AM

IHOPE the Paladins win

i feel pretty strong that UTC wins

The Cats

October 11th, 2023, 07:37 AM

Something you rarely see... a realistic Furnan fan.

IHOPE the Paladins win

i feel pretty strong that UTC wins

wcugrad95

October 11th, 2023, 07:43 AM

Not sure how the week 7 thread got off into WCU (who is on a bye) and Mercer given we don’t play for a few weeks. What I will say is that pretty much the rest of the world agrees this is not the “same old” WCU team. Western has lost I believe 5 in a row to Samford, but ask SU DOG and the other Samford posters how that worked out. UTC has historically been a nightmare place for WCU to play - but we went in and put up 52 against what people certainly thought was a good D. We hadn’t beaten a ranked team on the road in the last 47 tries - until this past weekend.

The point is previous years have very little to do with this season for ANY team IMO. But given how different WCU’s roster is compared to the last several years (even last year in terms of who is now playing), that is especially true of the Cats. Furman and Mercer are very good teams and will be serious challenges for any team in the SOCON, but I do not believe what happened in the past has much bearing at all on what happens in this year’s games.

If Furman plays better NEXT week or if Mercer plays better IN 2.5 WEEKS they will deserve to win over WCU. But it won’t be because of the past.

Now I return you to the WEEK 7 picks and power rankings for this season.

FUBeAR

October 11th, 2023, 10:20 AM

this is not the “same old” WCU team. Western has lost I believe 5 in a row to Samford, which is 2 in a row less than WCU has lost in a row to Mercer. UTC has historically been a nightmare place for WCU to play - but we went in and gave up 50 points even though people are saying how much better WCU's Defense is than last year.

But given how different WCU’s roster is compared to the last several years (even last year in terms of who is now playing), [IS IT REALLY THOUGH?] that is especially true of the Cats. Mercer...good team and will be serious challenge for any team in the SOCON, but I do not believe what happened in the past has much bearing at all on what happens in this year’s game.

if Mercer plays better IN 2.5 WEEKS they will deserve to win over WCU. But it won’t be because of the past.

"The past is never dead. It's not even past." - Coach Billy Faulkner

Please Compare the stats from WCU @ Mercer 2022 (below) with WCU's 2023 stats (scroll lower) - Admittedly, FUBeAR is a bear of very little brain, but it looks a lot like the same cast of Catamount characters (32 of the same 'stat-makers,' at least) that got curb-stomped 49-6 in Macon by a Mercer Team that returns 18 of 22 Starters in 2023.

But...hey...at least WCU didn't give up half a hundred that day, like they did just last week....so, they got that goin' for 'em...which is nice.

2022 - WCU @ Mercer - Only showing WCU Players on current 2023 Roster

WCU Passing

Player
Cmp
Att.
Yds.
TD
INT
Long
Sack

Gonzales, Cole
8
12
118
0
1
47
1

WCU Rushing

Player
Att.
Gain
Loss
Net
TD
Lg.
Avg.

Gonzales, Cole
8
31
9
22
0
13
2.8

Reid, Desmond
2
8
0
8
0
6
4.0

Williams, Jalyn
3
4
0
4
0
2
1.3

Reid, Camury
5
8
5
3
0
5
0.6

WCU Receiving

Player
Rec.
Yds.
TD
Long

Bardall, Clayto
4
89
0
47

White, David
2
25
0
19

Williams, Jalyn
4
25
0
19

Colombo, AJ
1
1
0
1

Western Carolina - Individual Defensive Statistics

Player
Solo
Ast
Tot
TFL/Yds
Sack/Yds
FF
FR-Yds
INT
BrUp
Blkd
QH

Dukes, Samaurie
4
5
9
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Campbell, Lee
4
4
8
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Keaton, Andreas
2
5
7
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

McQueen III, Ha
2
3
5
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Lealaimatafao,
1
3
4
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Jones IV, Ed
3
1
4
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Gattison, Rod
2
1
3
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Hennings, Cory
1
2
3
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Alexander, Marl
1
2
3
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Williams, CJ
-
2
2
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Sudipo, Mateo
-
2
2
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Scott, Caleb
1
1
2
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Davis, Jayelin
-
2
2
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Smiley, Brandon
-
2
2
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Richardson, Mal
1
-
1
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

McMillan, Jayio
-
1
1
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Ricciardi, Giov
-
1
1
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Morgan, Chris
-
1
1
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
-
-
-

Wallace, Justin
-
-
-
-/-
-/-
-
-/-
-
1
-
-

Special Teams

WCU Returns

Player
Punts
Kickoffs
Interceptions

Ret.
Yds.
Lg
Ret.
Yds.
Lg
Ret.
Yds.
Lg

Colombo, AJ
2
6
6
0
0
0
0
0
0

Horne, Terrence
0
0
0
1
8
8
0
0
0

Williams, Jalyn
0
0
0
2
19
15
0
0
0

Louis, Nick
0
0
0
1
5
5
0
0
0

Anderson Jr, Da
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0

Monroe, Blue
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0

WCU Field Goals

Player
Qtr.
Clock
Yds.
Result

McCollum, Richa
3rd
10:19
43
GOOD

McCollum, Richa
3rd
03:58
43
GOOD

WCU Kickoffs

Player
No.
Yds.
TB
OB
Avg.

Robertson, Paxt
3
171
1
0
57.0

================================================== ===========================

WCU 2023 Selected Statistics Leaders

Passing

#
Player
GP

9
Gonzales, Cole
6

Rushing

#
Player
GP

1
Reid, Desmond
6

9
Gonzales, Cole
6

41
Reid, Camury
4

Receiving

#
Player
GP

0
Colombo, AJ
6

White, David
5

1
Reid, Desmond
6

41
Reid, Camury
4

Defensive

#
Player
GP

21
Keaton, Andreas
6

4
Williams, CJ
6

8
Lealaimatafao, Va
6

3
Dukes, Samaurie
6

2
Gattison, Rod
6

7
Jones IV, Ed
6

33
Campbell, Lee
6

5
McQueen Jr., Hayward
6

90
Alexander, Marlon
5

93
Morgan, Chris
6

14
Louis, Nick
6

13
Anderson Jr., Darian
6

19
Davis, Jayelin
5

92
Smiley, Brandon
3

47
Monroe, Blue
6

17
Richardson, Malik
5

1
Sudipo, Mateo
1

46
Robertson, Paxton
6

44
Scott, Caleb
6

0
Colombo, AJ
6

6
Horne, Terrence
2

1
Reid, Desmond
6

89
McCollum, Richard
6

7
White, David
5

Special Teams

WCU Returns

Punt

#
Player
NO

0
Colombo, AJ
13

Kickoff

#
Player
NO

0
Colombo, AJ
5

2
Gattison, Rod
1

Field Goals

#
Player
FGM-FGA
BLK

89
McCollum, Richard
6-7
0

Kickoffs

#
Player
NO

46
Robertson, Paxton
35

89
McCollum, Richard
6

#

wcugrad95

October 11th, 2023, 10:50 AM

Thanks for that FOOBY. We can get into it in detail in a couple of weeks. I will take a quick minute to point out Desmond Reid had 2 carries - that will be a very different stat this go-around. Carlos Davis was a turnover machine last year, and he started the game off with an INT on our first offensive play and threw a total of 3 before Cole Gonzalez was in the game - he did come in as a true FR to go 8-12 for 118 yards after Carlos was pulled, but he did throw a pick himself (it was in the endzone). I'll give you 3 of the 4 guys who caught passes are still playing regularly, but currently WCU leads the league with 8 different players with at least 10 receptions. 2 of those same guys are among the list, but we have 6 more (7 different guys have caught TDs so far). On defense we had been playing maybe 13 or 14 guys regularly. We now routinely rotate 20-21 into the game - so lots of new (and less tired) faces.

It is clear you think last year is a big deal in this year's game, but I'd ask for anybody else on here to chime in if they think the 2023 version of WCU is anything like the last 10+ years worth of versions?

I'd also ask why are you so worried about future games - shouldn't you be focused on Samford and UTC this week?

SteelSD

October 11th, 2023, 11:02 AM

FUBeAR knows it’s scary, but you are safe here. You CAN rank Mercer ahead of WCU.

Mercer- 48
Morehead State- 22

Mercer with 8 point lead going into the 4th Q.

Morehead State- 9
Drake- 16

Drake- 7
SDSU- 70

SDSU pulled starters midway through the 3rd.

Or lets try this one:

Mercer- 24
E. Tenn St.- 6

E. Tenn St.- 3
Austin Peay- 63

Austin Peay- 23
SIU- 49

SIU led this game 42-3 going into the 4th Q. Austin Peay did all it's damage against the SIU backups.

So if Mercer is the #2 team in the SoCon, then the SoCon is a 1 bid league. People can't seem to get off what Mercer was last year when it comes to analyzing them in the current season.

WCU looks like clearly the 2nd best team in the conference based off performances THIS YEAR. If they falter then it's hard to argue that the SoCon deserves a 2nd team in the playoffs because the warts on the other teams are pretty large. I cringe at the thought of what the result would be for Mercer going on the road to one of the top MVC or BSC teams come playoffs.

FUBeAR

October 11th, 2023, 11:15 AM

I will take a quick minute to point out Desmond Reid had 2 carries - that will be a very different stat this go-around. Carlos Davis was a turnover machine last year, and he started the game off with an INT on our first offensive play and threw a total of 3 before Cole Gonzalez was in the game - he did come in to go 8-12 for 118 yards after Carlos was pulled, but he did throw a pick himself (it was in the endzone). I'll give you 3 of the 4 guys who caught passes are still playing regularly, but currently WCU leads the league with 8 different players with at least 10 receptions. 2 of those same guys are among the list, but we have 6 more (7 different guys have caught TDs so far). On defense we had been playing maybe 13 or 14 guys regularly (your list for defense includes our specialists like kickers and return guys) - THEY STILL COVER KICKOFFS AND PUNTS, DON'T THEY?. We now routinely rotate 20-21 into the game - so lots of new (and less tired) faces.

It is clear you think last year is a big deal in this year's game, but I'd ask for anybody else on here to chime in if they think the 2023 version of WCU is anything like the last 10+ years worth of versions?

I'd also ask why are you so worried about future games - shouldn't you be focused on Samford and UTC this week?
So many words to parse and except and hem and haw as to why the 32 WCU Players that produced stats in last year's WCU @ Mercer game, got completely boat-raced by the Bears, and are still producing stats for WCU in 2023...are now just SO MUCH BETTER than Mercer's returning Players who boat-raced them last year.

And - you're right - Reid only had 2 carries last year...both in the 1st half - BECAUSE THE SCORE WAS 42-0 IN FAVOR OF MERCER AT HALFTIME and there was no reason for him to absorb any more punishment from Mercer's Defense.

And the top 7 Tacklers on WCU's Current 2023 Defense all recorded stats against Mercer (while getting bum-rushed out of the stadium) in 2022. AS MUCH AS YOU AND YOUR KIND WANT TO PRETEND THIS IS SOME NEW WCU TEAM FROM THE TEAM THAT TOOK THE FIELD IN 2022, THEY ARE NOT. They are playing better...so far...well, the Offense is...and the Defense was...until last week.

This year? - All right - let's look at this year ... So...THIS YEAR .... WCU just gave up 50 points to a Team that lost by double digits to a Team that Mercer beat by double digits. Please respond with another list of why's and wherefore's about how that's different and an exception or an outlier or whatever other lipstick you wanna try to slap on it.

FUBeAR will not be Coaching nor playing in any of Furman's or Mercer's games this season. He could exclusively focus on the lint in his navel over the next 2 weeks and it will not impact the performance of either of those Teams even one iota. You understand that...right?

Mocs123

October 11th, 2023, 12:30 PM

This year? - All right - let's look at this year ... So...THIS YEAR .... WCU just gave up 50 points to a Team that lost by double digits to a Team that Mercer beat by double digits. Please respond with another list of why's and wherefore's about how that's different and an exception or an outlier or whatever other lipstick you wanna try to slap on it.

FUBeAR you of all people know that you can't rely on comparing common opponents, otherwise you'd be ranking Chattanooga, who beat The Citadel by 45 points higher than Furman, who just beat them by 14. You could look at that same Chattanooga team who beat KSU by 7 and have them ranked higher than the Paladins because they beat that same KSU team by only 3. Is Chattanooga the better team in reality? Currently I have Furman ranked #1 in the SoCon in my rankings, the national rankings have Furman higher than the Paladins as well, so I'd say looking at how the two teams played The Citadel and KSU don't tell the whole story.

Now both Mercer and Western Carolina have done what they are supposed to do and win games they are supposed to win. Mercer currently has one FCS loss (to a team WCU has yet to play - and could lose to as well) and WCU has zero FCS loses, plus they currently have a couple of "quality" wins against Chattanooga and EKU thus why they are ranked higher by a lot of people - are those people right? I guess we'll see on October 28th. If Chattanooga were to manage to win in Macon this week, I promise to be a Bears fan that week.

ElCid

October 11th, 2023, 12:32 PM

Or lets try this one:

Mercer- 24
E. Tenn St.- 6

E. Tenn St.- 3
Austin Peay- 63

Austin Peay- 23
SIU- 49

Transitive much?

Comparing OOC to conf games is a fools errand. You got familiarity, rivalries, home field, etc.

But whatever makes you feel good

SteelSD

October 11th, 2023, 12:34 PM

Transitive much?

Comparing OOC to conf games is a fools errand. You got familiarity, rivalries, home field, etc.

But whatever makes you feel good
You are correct. The person I responded to would never resort to such a thing as transitive analysis...

FUBeAR

October 11th, 2023, 12:42 PM

Now both Mercer and Western Carolina have done what they are supposed to do and win games they are supposed to win. Mercer currently has one FCS loss (to a team WCU has yet to play - and could lose to as well) and WCU has zero FCS loses, plus they currently have a couple of "quality" wins against Chattanooga and EKU thus why they are ranked higher by a lot of people - are those people right? I guess we'll see on October 28th. If Chattanooga were to manage to win in Macon this week, I promise to be a Bears fan that week.
Why is Chattanooga a “quality win” for WCU?

The Mocs lost by double digits to a Team Mercer beat by double digits and they have 2 FCS losses; 1 to an unranked Team.

EKU - a “quality win” - you cannot be serious (McEnroe voice) - the Colonels are unranked, have a losing record, only have FCS wins over an unranked 1-4 Team and an unranked 2-4 Team that Mercer beat by the same margin.

Buncha poppycock is all y’all are spittin’ today!

wcugrad95

October 11th, 2023, 12:59 PM

FUBeAR will not be Coaching nor playing in any of Furman's or Mercer's games this season. He could exclusively focus on the lint in his navel over the next 2 weeks and it will not impact the performance of either of those Teams even one iota. You understand that...right?

I understand that nothing on this board or from last season or seasons past will "impact the performance of" ANY of the teams with games left to be played this season. But if we can, let's turn to the games this week.

My analysis:

Furman @ Samford - The Bulldogs seem to be getting better on offense, but of course that can be due to their last couple of opponents. Furman will have something to prove after their "shaky" game at home against another Bulldog team this past Saturday. The Paladins have shown some struggles with defending the pass - they get turnovers, but they have also been beat on deep throws. Samford is actually not a team that goes deep that often, usually killing you with a short to mid-range passing game that is their de facto running game (although Stanton can get you yards). I think Samford puts up a bunch of stats and scores some points, but Furman is too physical in the end and pulls it out. Unless like last year there is a bad call against FU and then they forget how to play for the next 2.5 quarters. But last year has nothing to do with this year :)

UTC @ Mercer - I honestly don't know how to handicap this one. UTC is certainly better than they were week #1, but Mercer is a very good football team. Either one of these teams could finish 8-3 or even 9-2. How will UTC recover from the last-second loss last week? It is tough to come back from a game like that and get up for the next one, and the Mocs will be on the road. If UTC comes out ready to play then this is probably a toss-up. If they are still dejected from last week it is a Mercer 10-point win. I am going with the toss-up for now because UTC's offense seems to be getting better and will keep them in the game.

VMI @ Citadel - Another "you just don't know" kind of game. Citadel has looked better the last two weeks, and especially in the 2nd half against Furman. In a real oddity, the Bulldogs were throwing the football for most of their production. VMI currently has one of the top pass defenses in the SOCON, but that probably has as much to do with who they have played than anything else (Mercer didn't need to throw the ball against them and the Keydets still have Furman, UTC, Samford, and WCU to play). This game could go either way most years, so I am simply going with the home team.

Wofford @ ETSU - a couple of weeks ago after the loss to Presbyterian I would have bet the Terriers only chance at a win would have been in a showdown with Citadel. They then played VMI to a close game, and followed that up with much more inspired effort (especially on D) against UTC. But then they got beat by Samford by 3 TDs. ETSU showed a little life against Samford after an atrocious effort against APSU. According to FUBeAR math, since Mercer beat ETSU 24-6 and APSU beat the Bucs 63-3 then APSU would beat Mercer by 42 points, but that is for a different conversation. ETSU actually played pretty decent against the Mighty Mercer Bears pulling within 17-6 at one point. But ETSU has some serious injury issues, and reading their board it sounds like they have even worse issues than that. A bit of an upset, but I'll take the Terriers on the road especially if the Bucs are starting their 4th or 5th string QB with no experience.

The Cats

October 11th, 2023, 01:33 PM

Mocs123

October 11th, 2023, 02:03 PM

Why is Chattanooga a “quality win” for WCU?

The Mocs lost by double digits to a Team Mercer beat by double digits and they have 2 FCS losses; 1 to an unranked Team.

EKU - a “quality win” - you cannot be serious (McEnroe voice) - the Colonels are unranked, have a losing record, only have FCS wins over an unranked 1-4 Team and an unranked 2-4 Team that Mercer beat by the same margin.

Buncha poppycock is all y’all are spittin’ today!

Well Chattanooga was ranked #20 when WCU beat them and is still ranked in the Top 25. EKU is currently rated #29 by Massey. I quoted "quality" because it's all relative, but WCU has beaten (per Massey's 10/11/23 rankings) the #29, #32, and #41 teams in the country. By comparison, Mercer's best win is against #62. That's not saying definitively that Western is the better team - the Bears can only play (and beat) who's on their schedule, and Massey is probably not perfect, but they are impartial and independent.

Samford - 41
Eastern Kentucky -29
Chareleston Southern - 71
The Citadel -110
Chattanooga -32

North Alabama- 62
Morehead State -122
ETSU - 77
VMI - 85

The real bottom line is the SoCon has a clear top and bottom this year (unlike most years) and you could probably justify several different rankings of those teams - for example one could make the case of WCU as #1 instead of Furman, whom I have #1. You could also make the argument of Wofford as #9 instead of The Citadel whom I have #9.

gofurman

October 11th, 2023, 11:13 PM

SUDOG.

Is the guy for Samford still out? The WR Or someone you said would help Heirs? Who was that?

caribbeanhen

October 12th, 2023, 10:45 AM

SUDOG.

Is the guy for Samford still out? The WR Or someone you said would help Heirs? Who was that?

The WRs are all at Delaware now

SU DOG

October 12th, 2023, 02:55 PM

SUDOG.

Is the guy for Samford still out? The WR Or someone you said would help Heirs? Who was that?

Receiver D.J. Rias hasn't played since the Auburn Game. Unfortunately, I do not know his status for Saturday. Rias was expected to be our second best WR behind only Chandler Smith. He has outstanding speed and had almost 600 yds receiving last year.

SU DOG

October 12th, 2023, 04:44 PM

Looks like Rias is out again, if our 2-deep game notes are correct.

gofurman

October 12th, 2023, 08:38 PM

Looks like Rias is out again, if our 2-deep game notes are correct.

hope he heals up next week! Any other starter out? Anyone at all? OL. DL. Anyone?

We have two ILB out and 3! RBs out - numbers 2,3,4 or so on depth chart. Roberto seems healthy (our best back?) and then number 7 who is about our third back. We had about 5 zRBs and now about 2. But ROBerto is probably best and seems healthy

SU DOG

October 12th, 2023, 11:14 PM

hope he heals up next week! Any other starter out? Anyone at all? OL. DL. Anyone?

We have two ILB out and 3! RBs out - numbers 2,3,4 or so on depth chart. Roberto seems healthy (our best back?) and then number 7 who is about our third back. We had about 5 zRBs and now about 2. But ROBerto is probably best and seems healthy

The Furman RB that worries me the most is #6. I don't think we have any other starters out.

FUBeAR

October 13th, 2023, 12:30 AM

Saturday, October 14, 2023 - FUBeAR's Socon Prediculations

Away
Home
Time
How it's gonna go down...

https://soconsports.com/images/logos/VMI_spider_four_color-2015.png?width=30
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_citadel.png?width=30
1P
Welp, the Battle for the Dildo Helmet should be a stimulating one this year. In fact this may be the most fun SoCon game of the day. Coach Drayton is gonna pull out all the stops and Coach Rocco knows all the tricks. Bellhops will catch 'em napping a couple of times and they will even look good on a few drives against VMI's good Defense. FUBeAR sees 7 lead changes and an inspiring victory by the Home Team.

FINAL SCORE: The Citadel 34 - VMI 32

https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_furman.png?width=30
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_samford.png?width=30
1P
Now we're getting serious. This game matters. It matters for the SoCon and it matters nationally in FCS. Every TV in Cullowhee (all 3 of them) will be tuned in. It also matters to these Furman Players who have heard repeatedly and told themselves every day since 12/4/22..."y'all didn't win nothing" ... and they feel like they allowed the winning of the 2022 SoCon Championship to be stolen from them. They know they didn't respond as Champions do, but they also feel like there is an unsettled score on that front. Although many of them won't be the same Players, Furman will feel as if the Players they are lining up against Saturday have been wearing their 2022 SoCon Championship rings. FUBeAR expects Furman to play serious this week and to beat Samford 'like they stole something.'

FINAL SCORE: Furman 31 - Samford 6

https://soconsports.com/images/2023/5/30/Terriers_StackedWHITE.png?width=30
https://soconsports.com/images/logos/East-Tenn-State.png?width=30
3:30
Wofford breaks thru. ETSU's Defense is still pretty good, but their Offense is not going to be able to keep that Defense off the field and is going to put them in tough situations all day.

FINAL SCORE: Wofford 17 - ETSU 6

https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_chatta_91.png?width=30
https://soconsports.com/images/2019/9/23/logo_mercer.png?width=30
4P
FUBeAR expects a WAR. It's always a WAR when these 2 get together. It was a WAR in 2015 when Chatt came in #3 in FCS and Mercer beat the Mocs with a bunch of 19 year old Walk-Ons. Coach Wright still talks about it...and FUBeAR isn't even sure he was there. It was a WAR last year when Chatt jumped out to a huge lead as Mercer self-immolated to open the game, but battled back to nearly get it to a 1 possession game in the 4th quarter in Finley Stadium. But something about playing Mercer in Macon in Five Star Stadium seemed, at this week's press conference, to be living in Coach Wright's and both Players' heads...sans rental payments. FUBeAR thinks that's gonna matter. It also matters that Mercer beat North Alabama by double digits and Chatt lost to the Lions by double digits. FUBeAR really likes Chatt's new QB, but FUBeAR has rising questions about that Offense (against a good Defense like Mercer's) and he's had major questions about Chatt's normally very strong D all year long. This will be a WAR. If you're squeamish, don't tune in.

FINAL SCORE: Mercer 45 - Chattanooga 21

FUBeAR's SoCon Power Rankings

1) FURMAN - Last week, Coach Hendrix' better nature kept Furman from making it a relaxing 3-score win against Furman's rival, The Citadel. As it was, it was a relaxing 2-score win on a beautiful Family Day in beautiful and well-attended Paladin Stadium. Seems some people that didn't watch the game and/or want to advance a false narrative and/or advance their own agenda have spent all week telling FUBeAR he didn't see what he is certain he saw. People are funny like that, aren't they? Some funny people even moved a Team ahead of Furman because that Team's Offense scored a few more points than a 2-4 unranked FCS Team's Offense did when they hung 41 on that Team's Defense just a couple of weeks ago. People sure are odd, huh? Well, FUBeAR ain't silly like all those people, so Furman retains their rightful place in this week's SoCon Power Rankings.

2) Mercer - Well, it took a little while for Mercer to differentiate themselves from #3 and #4 after their very competitive loss to #1 a few weeks back, but keeping 2 SoCon Teams from crossing their goal line for 8 straight quarters sure did the trick for FUBeAR. Heck, even The Citadel's struggling (but improving) Offense crossed WCU's goal line 3 times in the 1st 16 minutes of their recent game. Yep - Mercer's Defense is playing EXTREMELY well. Even against Furman, while plenty of points were scored by the Top 5 Paladins, we have to remember Mercer's Offense and Special Teams surrendered the ball from midfield into their own zone on almost half of Furman's possessions. Furman scored 3 TD's on 3 drives that averaged under 30 yards. If we look at FCS games alone (removing #13 FBS P5 SEC Ole Miss), Mercer would be ranked #15 in FCS in Scoring Defense. And the Offense is starting to gel with a solid running game (as needed and available pending #'s in the box) and WR Ty James near the top of most National FCS Receiving Stats and WR Devron Harper contributing with catches, rushes, and making a huge impact by setting the Bears O up with his amazing, nationally #1-ranked Punt and Kick Return ability. Guessing from what FUBeAR sees & hears from all those funny people that Chatt will be coming into Maconga on Saturday favored by 3 or more scores. FUBeAR looks for a WAR!

3) WCU - A nice win by WCU's Offense moves the Catamounts into a solid 3rd place ahead of the Mocs.

4) CHATT - Gutsy effort but the problems on the back end of the Defense continue to show up big and seem to have spread to the D-Front to some extent. FUBeAR expects the Mocs D to play much, much better in Five Star Stadium this Saturday afternoon. While hanging half a hundred on WCU was a nice output, is it just FUBeAR that is wondering if Chatt's always-grinding Running Game is being back-burnered with the rise of a good QB? Saw Mercer's strong running game become a bit of an afterthought under Chatt's current OC. Just wondering...maybe FUBeAR is wrong.

5) Samford - beating Wofford in SparkleCity was an outstanding accomplishment for this bullpups Team. That said, it still looks to FUBeAR as if they need to adjust the timing belt (whatever that means) on both sides of the ball. Just looks out of synch and 'jumpy.' It's probably hard to wash out and wash in a total of 80-90 Players over 2 seasons. Chemistry? Does it still matter? Is it more than a class in Propst Hall?

6) VMI - FUBeAR just sees this VMI Team, while not very good, as being a bit more polished and a bit more evolved than the 2 FUBeAR has tied for 7th. They Keydets are not good, but they are respectable.

7T) The Citadel
7T) Wofford
Evaluating them together. Both Teams look like an unfinished product - like a beta test. For someone that hates both of these Teams, FUBeAR really likes both of these Teams and their Coaches. They are staying positive, the kids are playing hard. They're trying different stuff and having fun whenever they have some success. It's really kinda fun to watch them play. FUBeAR isn't sure they will be able to spoil anything for the Top 5, but they will give them a fun and spirited game. Keep working bellhops and little dogs - FUBeAR respects the effort!

9) ETSU - With the loss of their Starting QB (looked like an ACL to FUBeAR) and their inability to score points on any D1 Team...except Samford, gotta put the LandPirates down here. Hate it for 'em.

gofurman

October 13th, 2023, 01:33 AM

The Furman RB that worries me the most is #6. I don't think we have any other starters out.

well played. Thanks for response. I tried to be honest and reciprocate (SAT word of the day)

PaladinNation

October 13th, 2023, 05:57 AM

The Furman RB that worries me the most is #6. I don't think we have any other starters out.

You make a great point.
Huff is the leading rusher for Furman.

Huff is an emotional leader, based on his comments that he let the team down not playing in the game last year. I'm expecting Huff to play with his hair on fire.

caribbeanhen

October 13th, 2023, 06:47 AM

Breaking news

The Innovation Channel is setting up shop in Charleston this week for a college football documentary on the VMI offense…. It’s really something to see

don’t believe Massey

El Citadel gets that win

kdinva

October 13th, 2023, 08:32 AM

Mercer 34; UTC 27
ETSU 20; Wofford 17
Furman 34; Samford 24
VMI 24; The Citadel 17

wcugrad95

October 13th, 2023, 08:38 AM

FUBeAR's SoCon Power Rankings

1) FURMAN - Last week, Coach Hendrix' better nature kept Furman from making it a relaxing 3-score win against Furman's rival, The Citadel. As it was, it was a relaxing 2-score win on a beautiful Family Day in beautiful and well-attended Paladin Stadium. Seems some people that didn't watch the game and/or want to advance a false narrative and/or advance their own agenda have spent all week telling FUBeAR he didn't see what he is certain he saw. People are funny like that, aren't they? Some funny people even moved a Team ahead of Furman because that Team's Offense scored a few more points than a 2-4 unranked FCS Team's Offense did when they hung 41 on that Team's Defense just a couple of weeks ago. People sure are odd, huh? Well, FUBeAR ain't silly like all those people, so Furman retains their rightful place in this week's SoCon Power Rankings.

For both of those quotes, it seems like Citadel had their best game of the season against the Paladins. It is true Furman got to a 28 point lead late in the 3rd quarter (with Huff still in the game), but that "other team" you are mentioning could have easily scored on every single possession if we left our starters in as long as FU did. So I guess that "other coach" also used his better nature to not go score 70. That "other team" also did that on the road. Not sure what you are referring to that another 2-4 team hung 41 on somebody? If it is in reference to somebody else also scoring a lot against the Bulldogs then I would say it proves that Furman should have scored more and is counter-productive to your argument. But I don't see a game where the Bellhops gave up 41. The 28 Furman scored are the fewest points Citadel has allowed all season. 2-4 SC State did score 31 - which is still more than the Paladins.

2) Mercer - Well, it took a little while for Mercer to differentiate themselves from #3 and #4 after their very competitive loss to #1 a few weeks back, but keeping 2 SoCon Teams from crossing their goal line for 8 straight quarters sure did the trick for FUBeAR. Heck, even The Citadel's struggling (but improving) Offense crossed WCU's goal line 3 times in the 1st 16 minutes of their recent game.

Not sure what adding WCU vs Citadel to this means relative to Mercer shutting down VMI (who has had plenty of offensive struggles all year) or ETSU (who seems to be regressing on offense with the injuries they have been seeing)? If you are going to point to WCU surrendering 14 points to Citadel, wouldn't you be making the same argument against Furman who also gave up 14 points and more yards to that same team? You harp on the "3 scores" WCU gave up but last I checked Citadel offficially scored 14 against both teams.

You also keep using Citadel as some kind of barometer here for unknown reasons. WCU was beating the Bulldogs 35-7 at the half and called the dogs off - Reid didn't even come out after the break to get to 200+ yards rushing or to possibly set single game TD records (which I think he could have). So if we again use FUBeAR math, WCU beat Citadel by 35 on the road and Furman beat Citadel by 14 at home. You used that algorithm to predict how Mercer is going to beat UTC by 24 based on the UNA results. Can you help me apply that same logic to the coming WCU and Furman game?

FUBeAR

October 13th, 2023, 08:50 AM

For both of those quotes, it seems like Citadel had their best game of the season against the Paladins. It is true Furman got to a 28 point lead late in the 3rd quarter (with Huff still in the game), but that "other team" you are mentioning could have easily scored on every single possession if we left our starters in as long as FU did. So I guess that "other coach" also used his better nature to not go score 70. That "other team" also did that on the road. Not sure what you are referring to that another 2-4 team hung 41 on somebody? If it is in reference to somebody else also scoring a lot against the Bulldogs then I would say it proves that Furman should have scored more and is counter-productive to your argument. But I don't see a game where the Bellhops gave up 41. The 28 Furman scored are the fewest points Citadel has allowed all season. 2-4 SC State did score 31 - which is still more than the Paladins.

Not sure what adding WCU vs Citadel to this means relative to Mercer shutting down VMI (who has had plenty of offensive struggles all year) or ETSU (who seems to be regressing on offense with the injuries they have been seeing)? If you are going to point to WCU surrendering 14 points to Citadel, wouldn't you be making the same argument against Furman who also gave up 14 points and more yards to that same team? You harp on the "3 scores" WCU gave up but last I checked Citadel offficially scored 14 against both teams.

You also keep using Citadel as some kind of barometer here for unknown reasons. WCU was beating the Bulldogs 35-7 at the half and called the dogs off - Reid didn't even come out after the break to get to 200+ yards rushing or to possibly set single game TD records (which I think he could have). So if we again use FUBeAR math, WCU beat Citadel by 35 on the road and Furman beat Citadel by 14 at home. You used that algorithm to predict how Mercer is going to beat UTC by 24 based on the UNA results. Can you help me apply that same logic to the coming WCU and Furman game?
You’re overthinking it 95.

3) WCU - A nice win by WCU's Offense moves the Catamounts into a solid 3rd place ahead of the Mocs

Just enjoy the ride…while it lasts.

….but to answer just one of your queries where you’re all tangled up - 2-4 UNA also hung nearly half a hundred on Chatt. The Mocs D ain’t ’zactly the Maginot Line this season.

wcugrad95

October 13th, 2023, 09:37 AM

Good to have you back FUBeAR - we missed you for a few days!

The Cats

October 13th, 2023, 09:44 AM

Good to have you back FUBeAR - we missed you for a few days!

No we didn't!!!!!

SU DOG

October 13th, 2023, 11:10 AM

FU_Paladin08

October 13th, 2023, 11:38 AM

FUBeAR

October 13th, 2023, 01:30 PM

It is hard for me to believe that Furman's defense (which I admit is VERY GOOD) is better than the Auburn Tigers'. Therefore, I think the aforementioned 31-6 Furman drubbing of Samford might be "just a little bit outside" of rational thinking. There are some on here who seem to put a lot of credence on past history. I checked the records back all the way to the first game in 1961 and did not find a single Samford vs Furman Game(25 total) where the Paladins held Samford to 6 or less points.Muhammad Ali never whupped anybody until someone stole his bicycle.

“Rational thinking” didn’t do this to Smokin’ Joe’s face. A young man gettin’ somethin’ stolen from him did though.

https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/2015/10/01/tim_dahlberg_boxing_ny166.jpg

…and Joe ain’t even the dude what stole young Cassius Clay’s bike, but he and 47 other dudes had to pay the price for it. Unless FUBeAR heard the story wrong, the kid who stole Ali’s bike just mighta been named Tom, or Tommy, or Thomas…something like that.

Milktruck74

October 13th, 2023, 02:28 PM

Rankings are fun, but I’m not dropping anyone from a previous ranking unless they lose. There’s plenty of season and the next 5 weeks will be a blast watching how the top 5 play each other. Those bottom feeders can be dangerous each week as they have nothing to lose. I mean, has The Citadel ever thrown 34 passes before? The times they are a changin.

Oh, you must not have gotten the Memo. The NCAA has decided that at this point enough games have been played to goa ahead and use FOOBARE's algorithm for transitive properties and go ahead and award the National Championship. IT will reduce travel costs, potential injuries, and nobody has to actually GO to those GOD AWFUL places like Jacksonville AL until next year!!!

FUBeAR

October 13th, 2023, 02:40 PM

Oh, you must not have gotten the Memo. The NCAA has decided that at this point enough games have been played to goa ahead and use FOOBARE's algorithm for transitive properties and go ahead and award the National Championship. IT will reduce travel costs, potential injuries, and nobody has to actually GO to those GOD AWFUL places like Jacksonville AL until next year!!!Out of an abundance of caution for the safety, well-being, and physical & mental health of student athletes…

Chalupa Batman

October 13th, 2023, 03:59 PM

No we didn't!!!!!

You don’t thoroughly enjoy when someone says that Chattanooga is a top 10 team in the FCS and then a few days that same poster argues why beating Chattanooga isn’t a quality win?

Ya I didn’t miss that either.

SteelSD

October 13th, 2023, 04:14 PM

Oh, you must not have gotten the Memo. The NCAA has decided that at this point enough games have been played to goa ahead and use FOOBARE's algorithm for transitive properties and go ahead and award the National Championship. IT will reduce travel costs, potential injuries, and nobody has to actually GO to those GOD AWFUL places like Jacksonville AL until next year!!!
Actually what it's proven is that Mercer belongs to be ranked somewhere between Drake and Austin Peay, but closer to Drake. I feel safe saying that Mercer could likely challenge for the Pioneer title. I'll know more after the St. Thomas/Drake game tomorrow...

FUBeAR

October 13th, 2023, 04:52 PM

…someone says that Chattanooga is a top 10 team in the FCS and then a few days that same poster argues why beating Chattanooga isn’t a quality win?Are you trying to say FCS Football is not thrilling, exciting, and dynamic?

Well, you can say whatever you want about ol’ FUBeAR, but FUBeAR is not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth all of FCS Football!

https://youtu.be/KLHFdduVDVg?feature=shared

FU_Paladin08

October 13th, 2023, 07:39 PM

FUBeAR

October 13th, 2023, 08:51 PM

Are you trying to say FCS Football is not thrilling, exciting, and dynamic?

Well, you can say whatever you want about ol’ FUBeAR, but FUBeAR is not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth all of FCS Football!

https://youtu.be/KLHFdduVDVg?feature=shared
Speaking of Douglas C. Neidermeyer…

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhnFyg0WQAApDd2?format=jpg&name=360x360

…Perhaps he wasn’t killed in Vietnam by his own troops after all…

https://images.sidearmdev.com/resize?url=https%3a%2f%2fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront. net%2fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2futc.sidearmsports.co m%2fimages%2f2019%2f1%2f15%2fWright_Rusty.jpg&width=300&type=jpeg

Catamount87

October 13th, 2023, 10:49 PM

https://youtu.be/8n8jbyuCSOo?si=6dF0c0QjVIlEXaDR

ElCid

October 14th, 2023, 12:21 AM

Furman over Sammy
UTC over Mercer
VMI over Citadel
ETSU over Woffy

Rankings are fun, but I’m not dropping anyone from a previous ranking unless they lose. There’s plenty of season and the next 5 weeks will be a blast watching how the top 5 play each other. Those bottom feeders can be dangerous each week as they have nothing to lose. I mean, has The Citadel ever thrown 34 passes before? The times they are a changin.

1) Furman
2) WCU
3) UTC
4) Mercer
5) Sammy
6) VMI
7) ETSU
8) Woffy
9) Citadel

Sure we've passed for a lot more times than 34 in a game. Not in the last 14 years or so. But per our game notes 48 in one game in 2008, 424 attempts in the 2008 season. Compared to just 75 attempts for the entire 2011 season! I guess we will more and more again since the NCAA saw fit to outlaw the triple option running scheme. Our big issue has been the transition. Wrong bodies, wrong habits, slow/different QB thinking. It will take time. Wofford started sooner and you see what happened there. I'm hoping we don't waste as much time as they did.

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 06:02 AM

https://twitter.com/mercerfootball/status/1712922801328230787

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 07:22 AM

FUBeAR noticed that Mercer’s QB pressure really seems to be on an upward trend…

https://i.postimg.cc/3w7Kdp00/IMG-2227.jpg

…And the Bears knocked 2 ETSU QB’s out of the game last week.

With Chatt’s Artopoeus today, WCU’s Gonzales soon, and Samford’s Hiers to close out the regular season, does this matter…

…for Mercer?
…for the SoCon Championship chase?
…for the SoCon in the Playoffs?

Mocs123

October 14th, 2023, 07:37 AM

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:11 AM

If you can continue to get 5 sacks a game that certainly bodes well for the Bears - of course the question is how good were those offensive lines you faced in games 3 and 4 compared to earlier in the season? For example you mention Gonzales - personally I think our defense line is pretty good and we'd be able to get after him, but I was very impressed by the WCU offensive line and we weren't able to get a ton of pressure. Perhaps the Bears will fare better.Good point…looks like the Bears hit about average, more or less, for what their earlier opponents have been yielding in terms of sacks & vs. the Keydets, but they doubled up the average the Bucs have been giving up.

Noticed Mercer did make a change in an Edge player Starter @ ETSU and the new starter (an Air Force transfer) led Mercer in tackles, so that could mean something in terms of ‘what changed?’…or not.

Anyway, it will be something to watch. No pressure on any of those 3 and they will play Edward Scissorhands on your D’s backend…so to speak.

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 08:56 AM

Sacks By
Sacks By
Index
Team
G
NO
YDS

1
Chattanooga (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=utc)
6
15
82

2
Western Carolina (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=wcu)
6
13
84

3
Mercer (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=mercer)
6
12
68

4
Wofford (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=wofford)
6
12
66

5
Samford (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=samford)
6
7
30

6
East Tennessee State University (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=etsu)
5
7
37

7
VMI (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=vmi)
5
7
38

8
Furman (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=furman)
5
6
33

9
The Citadel (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=citadel)
6
3
24

WCU got nearly 1/2 our sacks against Samford.

Sacks Against
Sacks Against
Index
Team
G
NO
YDS

1
Western Carolina (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=wcu)
6
3
24

2
The Citadel (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=citadel)
6
3
20

3
Chattanooga (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=utc)
6
7
41

4
Furman (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=furman)
5
9
45

5
Mercer (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=mercer)
6
13
84

6
East Tennessee State University (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=etsu)
5
15
94

7
Samford (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=samford)
6
16
87

8
VMI (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=vmi)
5
17
117

9
Wofford (https://soconsports.com/teamstats.aspx?path=football&year=2023&school=wofford)
6
18
114

All 3 of WCU's sacks given up came against Arkansas. Zero sacks against FCS teams through 5 games.

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:58 AM

Zero sacks against FCS teams through 5 games.So you’re due.

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 09:07 AM

Milktruck74

October 14th, 2023, 09:31 AM

Like Mocs123 said, I would guess many figured WCU was due against UTC's D-line as well. Lots of talk about Gonzalez and Reid for the Cats, but the O-line has honestly been the biggest difference in our turnaround so far. We have generally had pretty good skill players on past teams, but our defense and offensive line have historically been... uh... suspect.

I was not expecting a shootout in that game...I think the Mocs outstanding beat writer said it best, "Western won that game because they had the ball last"...anyway, I think the OL play for WCU was absolutely the difference. The Mocs needed to get pressure on Gonzolas, and just could not get there. I really thought the game would be a much lower scoring game...shows what I know. I was very impressed with the way the WCU OL played as a unit and picked up the free man very well.

gofurman

October 14th, 2023, 02:54 PM

Furman has lost our starting OG and our best WR vs SAMford. Hope they are ok. All the announcers can say is to question the targeting. Dumb f[]]s. That only costs the DB a half a game. Our WR COULD really be hurt. He’s our best. They hardly mentioned it. So biased. Half a game for the DB. Vs who knows how long for Furman BEST all conference WR.

we have lost two key players in a half. Good grief. Hope they are ok.

it was sad that the replay wasn’t working - that is so much SoCon.

The Cats

October 14th, 2023, 03:56 PM

SU DOG

October 14th, 2023, 04:57 PM

Good luck Catamounts, especially if you get this crew of officials. I rarely blame officials, but this was ridiculous.

FU_Paladin08

October 14th, 2023, 05:01 PM

You know the refs are bad when both teams are complaining.

SU DOG

October 14th, 2023, 05:02 PM

Having vented about the officials, I will compliment Furman and say they are a really good team and should represent the SoCon well in Playoffs if they continue to win. Their offense is so varied with weapons everywhere.

FU_Paladin08

October 14th, 2023, 05:26 PM

Speaking for Furman…we’d love for at least two other SoCon teams to join us in the playoffs.

kdinva

October 14th, 2023, 06:24 PM

I will compliment Furman and say they are a really good team and should represent the SoCon well in Playoffs if they continue to win......

They are winning, and not that this matters, back to back games, on paper, that turned out closer than we all predicted a few days ago.....

.....and ETSU is woodshedding wofford.

PaladinNation

October 14th, 2023, 06:30 PM

Never seen bigger whinners. The refs have kept Furman winning with all the pass interference calls against Samford.
What the crap are you talking about?

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 06:59 PM

My only take so far - Mercer’s announcers have to be the absolute worst in the league. And that is saying something.

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 07:14 PM

Gotta say that was a BS call in MU v UTC game. DBs - don’t ever hit anybody hard now.

gofurman

October 14th, 2023, 07:26 PM

Never seen bigger whinners. The refs have kept Furman winning with all the pass interference calls against Samford.

are you kidding? Read before reply.

we lost FOUR STARTERS. Two all conference. Harris our best WR. and Brinson our all conference DB didn’t play. Starting OG. and DL.

number 7 for Samford wasn’t supposed to play per their game notes. But they lied. There he was. Their second best WR Per SUDOG.

more importantly. As a dam Stamford guy said it’s KARMA. KARMA Biitch. About his own team. Now thaat was impressive to hear. Hear ME. Furman got more calls. But we also got robbed last year 2022 in the only call EVER in SoCon history where they had to fire the refs because they CHEATED. You are only allowed one replay review. Last year Hatcher complained and got two. That’s just ILLEGAL. I L L E G A L. CHEATING. so the conference FIRED the refs that week.
this isn’t even close. I bet these refs don’t get fired. Let’s see. If they fire the refs you have a point. Otherwise shut it. Karma is a biitch

and look. Furman got more calls today. See MY OBJECTIVITY?….. let’s see if you have some.

. But Hatcher needs to grow a pair and be thankful he wasn’t punished last year for asking for a CHEATING ILLEGAL REVIEW. you only get one re0lay. .you want a WHINER??. CHRIS HATCHER. He whined so much last year they gave him an illegal replay review.

had to FIRE THE REFS - who were idiots to listen. That’s ground breaking historical cheating and whining. HISTORICAL- I don’t think that’s ever happened before or after in conference history !!!!!!!

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 07:30 PM

Wow

gofurman

October 14th, 2023, 07:33 PM

Good luck Catamounts, especially if you get this crew of officials. I rarely blame officials, but this was ridiculous.

they were rough. Furman got calls. See. I admit that. But of course number 7 for you played. We lost 4 starters. So you had your players. We had about 80-90% of ours.

and more importantly you got the call of the century last year. so bad they FIRED THE REFS. SAMFORD HAS LOST THE RIGHT TO EVER COMPLAIN ABOUT REFS. After a call that fired the refs AND determined the conference champ! This game … there will be no referee firing. AND you were out of the conference race already. Two reasons it’s not worth your whining.

don’t whine. You aren’t really playing for anything. We are. Needing our star recvr. And our second best DB is key going forward for us

look. We got some calls. But not CLOSE to THE WORST SOCON MISTAKE EVER that you got last year. Let it go

gofurman

October 14th, 2023, 07:35 PM

Wow

yep. And every bit of it TRUE. Stamford - after last year - can NEVER complain about refs. EVER

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 07:36 PM

Last year has nothing to do with this year, and if SU had a guy playing that was a surprise - that happens nearly every week. I will rewatch the entire game but that seemed like the Spartanburg-based office saying we owe FU some calls.

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 07:56 PM

Ignore User is a really nice feature that the Gods of AGS provide for us.

ElCid

October 14th, 2023, 08:00 PM

Blaming the refs is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 08:01 PM

I am trying to see if my laptop is broken - did Mercer have 28 carries for 0 yards rushing against the Mocs?

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:03 PM

Blaming the refs is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
Even if the league fires them the next business day after they FUBAR’d a game?

(“FUBAR’d”…not “FUBeAR’d”…read better!)

ElCid

October 14th, 2023, 08:05 PM

I am trying to see if my laptop is broken - did Mercer have 28 carries for 0 yards rushing against the Mocs?

Yeah that's what ESPN is showing. Looks like they had about 40-50 positive, but lots of sacks plus a few other TFL.

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:09 PM

I am trying to see if my laptop is broken - did Mercer have 28 carries for 0 yards rushing against the Mocs?
If you didn’t watch the game, don’t.

it set the sport of Football back 75 years. Any videos of it should be destroyed before they can further infect our humanity. It was uglier than that ChiO FUBeAR met at Myrtle Beach one (very) late night.

FUBeAR is giving his eyes a lye rinse right edhixnahf

rtzlunar

October 14th, 2023, 08:12 PM

I am trying to see if my laptop is broken - did Mercer have 28 carries for 0 yards rushing against the Mocs?

The reports of death of the Chattanooga defense were greatly exaggerated.

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 08:13 PM

I watched most of it already. Thought UTC was probably 3 or 4 TDs better but they had to settle for a bunch of FGs. I expect MU is better than that, but it was not a good look for the Bears.

I was impressed by UTC coming back strong after such an emotional game last week, especially playing on the road. I wish they had that UNA game as a do-over.

Mocs123

October 14th, 2023, 08:16 PM

I wish they had that UNA game as a do-over.

I certainly wish we had that one back too. I think we owe the SoCon as a whole an apology for that OOC loss.

blueGOldMOCS

October 14th, 2023, 08:16 PM

rtzlunar

October 14th, 2023, 08:18 PM

Western and Furman sitting pretty for the playoffs. Samford was eliminated today. Mercer has to win out. Chattanooga had to win except for the game at Bama. If Mercer and Chatt stumble the SoCon will be a 2 bid league.

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:21 PM

I was impressed by UTC
https://media.tenor.com/FIpYmjf9Ch8AAAAC/eyes-burning.gif

…the only thing that impressed you about that game was that one of the teams playing almost beat your team last week. If you look up **** show in the dictionary there is a link to the ESPN Replay of that game.

rtzlunar

October 14th, 2023, 08:30 PM

https://media.tenor.com/FIpYmjf9Ch8AAAAC/eyes-burning.gif

…the only thing that impressed you about that game was that one of the teams playing almost beat your team last week. If you look up **** show in the dictionary there is a link to the ESPN Replay of that game.

The 10-6 game 2 years ago was much worse. Today was an offensive clinic compared to that garbage.

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 08:36 PM

Personal opinion - the Bears started their typical late season nose dive a little early. Furman showed they are either not really that good or Samford has miraculously become a top-10 type of team after being blown out by both WCU and Chattanooga. I’ll save my predictions and rankings for the new thread next week, but they will be a lot different than the last couple of weeks. Of course it is FCS so it can switch on Any Given Saturday!

Huge games coming between FU and Western then UTC. The SOCON either has 1 or 2 really good teams or we have 3 solid ones.

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:40 PM

The reports of death of the Chattanooga defense were greatly exaggerated.
When zombies face off against zombies, who wins?

rtzlunar

October 14th, 2023, 08:46 PM

When zombies face off against zombies, who wins?

The Mocs kicker?

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:47 PM

The 10-6 game 2 years ago was much worse. Today was an offensive clinic compared to that garbage.
https://media.tenor.com/9z3XSE0-zBsAAAAC/willy-wonka-strike-that.gif

You don’t really believe this Chatt D is better than the Chatt Defense that was made up of these guys…Do you?

(FUBeAR realizes there are a few duplicates)…

Jones, Kam

Boeck, Ty

Person, Jay

Lawson, Jerrel

Brewton, Ben

Dowdell, Brando

Freeman, Rashu

Maxwell, Devon

Smith, CaMiron

McLean, Tavi

Spearman, Bo

FUBeAR

October 14th, 2023, 08:48 PM

The Mocs kicker?
Finally - a correct answer!

FU_Paladin08

October 14th, 2023, 09:12 PM

I think we have 3 good teams. We’ll see the difference between them soon. I’m just glad we can all safely move Mercer below UTC now in next week’s rankings…right everyone?

wcugrad95

October 14th, 2023, 09:17 PM

FUBeAR will have some special thoughts on it.

gofurman

October 15th, 2023, 12:37 AM

Ignore User is a really nice feature that the Gods of AGS provide for us.

seriously..?

You who advocate Furman and Mercer as the top two even if Mercer loses 3 or 4 games. You HAVE to be kidding. Mercer will lose to someone and you will still find some crazy way to power rank 5-3 Mercer above the 6-1 team MERcer lost to xnodx

me. I’ll show objectivity

heres my current power rankings - By the way look up thread and you will see I went on record big time that UTC would best Mercer this week.

I. Was. Right. It was so easy to see coming. Only an orange glasses guy could even think Mercer had a shot. They never make the playoffs. So you just have to find the three games they will lose to keep them from the playoffs. . This yr it’s FU. UTC. WCU

power rank as of now (note objectivity from GOFurman unlike FUBEAR

top 3
WCU
FU / UTC. very close here. UTC can easily win. FU could lose to both WCU and Chatt easily.

good two teams can beat most anyone
mercer
samford

bottom. Shocked at ETSU today. Good job
VMI
ETSU
Citadel
WOFF

gofurman

October 15th, 2023, 12:46 AM

FUBeAR will have some special thoughts on it.

exactly.

I don’t see how you can’t have WCU. UTC. FU as top. Three

Mercer. Samford. As middle (good quality) two teams

gofurman

October 15th, 2023, 12:48 AM

I think we have 3 good teams. We’ll see the difference between them soon. I’m just glad we can all safely move Mercer below UTC now in next week’s rankings…right everyone?

ABSOLUTELY

And I think the world of Cronic. They are so much better now at MU than w prior coach. But they can’t quite get over the hump. Good ball club. Good. Just not super duper ☺️

gofurman

October 15th, 2023, 12:54 AM

I am trying to see if my laptop is broken - did Mercer have 28 carries for 0 yards rushing against the Mocs?

as far as I can tell. Not piling on Mercer. Really I’m not. I mean 280 passing I think. So good stuff there. . but ZERO rushing? Wow. I know. They deduct sacks etc in college. Still usually the worst you see is 20 attempts for 30 /40yards or something. Not 28 attempts for zero. That’s scary. How many sacks were there? There were more yards lost than gained via ground?

for comparison Furman sacked Samford NINE times and they - samford- still had positive rushing of 40 some yards on roughly 30 Carries. And that’s horrible. 1.3 ypc or so. Horrible

FUBeAR

October 15th, 2023, 02:43 AM

We all know Furman @ WCU next week is a HUGE game, but it’s possible that it could be even bigger than we 1st think…

See below - (most likely) #3 Furman @ (most likely) #5 WCU …with #1 & #2 on the road @ #12-14 and what will be (most likely) #4, respectively…

…a Furman win in Cullowhee and road losses to highly ranked in-conference opponents by #1 & #2 would, undoubtedly, put the Paladins into the #1 spot in AGS. Surely we would all love to see a SoCon Team back at our rightful spot as #1 in FCS / I-AA Football…right?

Also…a win by (most likely) #5 WCU would most likely move the Catamounts to #2 or #3.

AGS Rank Team Result (W/L) Score Opponent AGS Rank Next
1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits W 41-06 27 @ #14 Southern Illinois
2 Montana State Bobcats W 59-19 UNR @ (Expected) #4 Sacramento State
3 Idaho Vandals L 21-23 19 IDLE
4 Furman Paladins W 27-21 @ Western Carolina
5 Sac State Hornets W 21-13 vs. Montana State
6 North Dakota State Bison L 24-49 15 vs. Western Illinois
7 Western Carolina Catamounts IDLE vs. Furman
8 Incarnate Word Cardinals W 28-11 @ McNeese
9 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens W 21-06 @ Hampton
10 South Dakota Coyotes W 34-31 20 @ Indiana State
11 Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks IDLE vs. Charleston Southern
12 Holy Cross Crusaders IDLE vs. Lafayette
13 North Carolina Central Eagles IDLE @ Morgan State
14 Southern Illinois Salukis W 27-06 vs. South Dakota State

Mocs123

October 15th, 2023, 08:38 AM

as far as I can tell. Not piling on Mercer. Really I’m not. I mean 280 passing I think. So good stuff there. . but ZERO rushing? Wow. I know. They deduct sacks etc in college. Still usually the worst you see is 20 attempts for 30 /40yards or something. Not 28 attempts for zero. That’s scary. How many sacks were there? There were more yards lost than gained via ground?

for comparison Furman sacked Samford NINE times and they - samford- still had positive rushing of 40 some yards on roughly 30 Carries. And that’s horrible. 1.3 ypc or so. Horrible

We had 5 sacks. Box score snip below. It is an odd stat though as I don't ever remember seeing zero rushing yards against a quality team, and Mercer is a good team. I thought their defense was excellent, Harper is as good as they get, and Cronic is a great coach.

caribbeanhen

October 15th, 2023, 01:07 PM

FUBeAR

October 15th, 2023, 07:40 PM

FUBeAR doesn’t normally like to post too much non-specific ‘homer’ propaganda as doing so lacks originality and doesn’t bring a lot to the ‘party.’

But he saw this and was quite impressed with some of the accomplishments that this Furman Team has chalked up. He really wasn’t aware of how much they have differentiated themselves.
https://twitter.com/paladinfootball/status/1713610001925755248
Just a few excerpts below for those that prefer not to review all of the 31 noted achievements in the article (click inside the pic to go directly to the online article)…

* Furman is 12-1 in its last 13 Southern Conference contests.

* Furman is 8-1 in its last nine FCS road games.

* Over the last 12 games (10-2), Furman has yielded 92.7 yards per game rushing and 2.83 yards per rush to the opposition. In four of those contests, the Paladins have limited opponents to less than 50 yards rushing

* All-SoCon cornerback Travis Blackshear's 46 career starts is a Furman standard. He's played in 52 games as a Paladin and owns 11 interceptions, including three "pick-sixes."

* The nine sacks for a loss of 60 yards Furman recorded in the win over Samford tied for the most by a FCS team this season and marked the second highest tally in program history

…and 1 from FUBeAR… As Furman’s QB, Tyler Huff has never lost a SoCon game in which he played. He’s 10-0.

gofurman

October 15th, 2023, 10:45 PM

We had 5 sacks. Box score snip below. It is an odd stat though as I don't ever remember seeing zero rushing yards against a quality team, and Mercer is a good team. I thought their defense was excellent, Harper is as good as they get, and Cronic is a great coach.

oh they are definitely a good team. Great coach. Just struggling to run the ball this year