SoCon 2024 Predictions and Power Rankings - Week 1

[FUBeAR]

Sure it’s too early, but the CAA peeps already started their Week 1 thread and everyone knows the CAA is way behind the SoCon, so we can’t let them pretend to be ahead in any manner. Posers.

Schedule…


DATE
AWAY
HOME
TIME


8/29
VMI
WILLIAM & MARY
7:00 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24082921962245_WIMA-vs-VMI_20240829/stats/)


8/29
WCU
NC STATE
7:00 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24082922262005_NCST-vs-WCU_20240829/stats/)


8/29
PRESBYTERIAN
MERCER
7:00 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24082920601940_MER-vs-PRES_20240829/stats/)


8/29
WOFFORD
GARDNER-WEBB
7:00 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24082922641799_GARD-vs-WOF_20240829/stats/)


8/31
SAMFORD
WEST GEORGIA
TBA (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24083020842220_UWG-vs-SAM_20240831/stats/)


8/31
CHATTANOOGA
TENNESSEE
12:45 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24083021512125_TENN-vs-CHAT_20240831/stats/)


8/31
ETSU
APPALACHIAN STATE
3:30 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24083017571614_ASU-vs-ETSU_20240831/stats/)


8/31
CIT
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
6:00 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24083017091704_CHSO-vs-CIT_20240831/stats/)


8/31
FUR
OLE MISS
7:00 PM (https://soconsports.com/fb/game/24083017961962_MISS-vs-FUR_20240831/stats/)





FUBeAR will be back with his predictions as we get closer to game week, but he’s ready to go with his Power Ranking - which this year, more than any other, is a shot in the dark…

FUBeAR’s SoCon Power Ranking

1. Furman - lost a lot; got a lot - will be better at the end of ‘24 than they were in ‘23

1. Mercer - lost a lot & a Coach, but gained a lot too - will be better than ‘23

3. Chatt - FUBeAR likes their QB and TrainBirds always are tough on D

4. ETSU - Tre brought some “Louis” w/him from Boiling Springs and he will play to win. Will be a fun Team to watch.

5. Samford - because everyone knows that the 3rd consecutive year of bringing in 40 transfers is always the best year!

6. WCU - Who is FUBeAR to argue with the great & powerful Massey? Catamounts regress to their mean in ‘24. Tough early schedule dooms the rest of the season as doubts begin to creep in.

7. Wofford - lot of young Players got a lot of PT in ‘23. They’ll overachieve in ‘24.

8. CIT - will show some improvement in ‘24, but not necessarily always on the scoreboard.

9. VMI - love the Keydets, but see them also regressing to their traditional mean in ‘24.

[ElCid]

Some things will always happen.

Like the sun will rise every morning.

And FUBeAR will power rank Furman and Mercer as #1 or #2 each and every week.

[FUBeAR]

Some things will always happen.

Like the sun will rise every morning.

And FUBeAR will power rank Furman and Mercer as #1 or #2 each and every week.
SoCon Football 2023 Standings https://soconsports.com/fb/standings/



TEAM
CONF
PCT
OVR
PCT


1

Furman

7-1
.875
10-3
.769


2

Mercer

6-2
.750
9-4
.692


3

Chattanooga

6-2
.750
8-5
.615


4

Western Carolina

5-3
.625
7-4
.636


5

Samford

4-4
.500
6-5
.545


6

VMI

4-4
.500
5-6
.455


7

ETSU

2-6
.250
3-8
.273


8

Wofford

2-6
.250
2-9
.182


9

The Citadel

0-8
.000
0-11
.000


https://media.tenor.com/_SLomQni08AAAAAM/i-mean-hes-not-wrong-david-rose.gif

[SU DOG]

After looking over our roster(that I finally got to see), I'm thinking that Samford will be in at least the top 4 of the SoCon if not better. We have 69 players out of the 117 player roster listed as Returnees and MANY of these guys have played extensively in the past. We will definitely be a team that is experienced and older as we have 45 players that are senior or grad students. How far this will get us, I dunno, but it should be a positive factor.

[FUBeAR]

After looking over our roster(that I finally got to see), I'm thinking that Samford will be in at least the top 4 of the SoCon if not better. We have 69 players out of the 117 player roster listed as Returnees and MANY of these guys have played extensively in the past. We will definitely be a team that is experienced and older as we have 45 players that are senior or grad students. How far this will get us, I dunno, but it should be a positive factor.
Haven’t compared to ‘23 roster (yet) … looks like about 45 total transfers on the roster (including JUCO’s). Any idea how many of those 45 are new ‘24 transfers?

[SU DOG]

Yeah, with some asterisk added. There is a total of 26, but not all are on scholarship. Three are from the closed Birmingham Southern Program (D-3) and I doubt any of those guys are on scholarship. That would also be true of some others that have returned home and want to walk-on. I noticed a kid from The Citadel on this list who saw no playing time there last year. I would guess that he might also be a walk-on, but I don't know for sure. May be some others I haven't checked. Because of the size of the B'ham metro area, we have this situation at Samford probably more than any other SoCon Team.

[FU_Paladin08]

SoCon Football 2023 Standings https://soconsports.com/fb/standings/



TEAM
CONF
PCT
OVR
PCT


1

Furman

7-1
.875
10-3
.769


2

Mercer

6-2
.750
9-4
.692


3

Chattanooga

6-2
.750
8-5
.615


4

Western Carolina

5-3
.625
7-4
.636


5

Samford

4-4
.500
6-5
.545


6

VMI

4-4
.500
5-6
.455


7

ETSU

2-6
.250
3-8
.273


8

Wofford

2-6
.250
2-9
.182


9

The Citadel

0-8
.000
0-11
.000


https://media.tenor.com/_SLomQni08AAAAAM/i-mean-hes-not-wrong-david-rose.gif

Didn’t UTC beat Mercer last year? Shouldn’t they be above them for SoCon standings?

[FUBeAR]

Didn’t UTC beat Mercer last year? Shouldn’t they be above them for SoCon standings?
.692 > .615

(thanks for playing)

[FU_Paladin08]

So the tie breaker for conference standings goes to total record and not head to head record within the conference games. That seems backwards.

[FUBeAR]

So the tie breaker for conference standings goes to total record and not head to head record within the conference games. That seems backwards.
Other than determining which Team earns the FCS Playoffs auto-bid, there is no “official” “tie breaker” for SoCon Football. There is no need for such.

2nd place is just 1st Loser in the SoCon.

The listed 2023 SoCon Football standings indicate that the SoCon peeps, whoever they might be, currently prefer to use overall winning % as the “tiebreaker” for such listings. If you feel it’s “backward,” you could contact the SoCon office in Spartanburg or your elected representatives.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWICKSP6vhQ

BTW - if 3 Teams finished in the middle of the SoCon pack with 4-4 records, and Team A (7-4 overall) beat Team B, and Team B (6-5 overall) beat Team C, and Team C (5-6 overall) beat Team A, what would be the “non-backward” way of listing these 3 Teams in the Final SoCon standings?

Team C (4-4/5-6) beat Team A (4-4/7-4), so you might contend they should be listed ahead of Team A, right? And Team A beat Team B (4-4/6-5), so B should be below A, right?

So… we would have…

Team C 4-4 / 5-6
Team A 4-4 / 7-4
Team B 4-4 / 6-5

…look good?

[FU_Paladin08]

But would if two teams tied for 2nd place? Team B beat team C during SoCon play. Is team C the number two team in the SoCon?

[FUBeAR]

But would if two teams tied for 2nd place? Team B beat team C during SoCon play. Is team C the number two team in the SoCon?
That’s easy - Both are tied as 1st Losers

List ‘em however you want.


You didn’t answer FUBeAR’s query. The logic ‘system’ you want to apply doesn’t ALWAYS work from 1-9 - as FUBeAR showed in the Team A, B, C ‘round-robin’ example.

The ‘system’ the SoCon is using does work in all cases. The next “tiebreaker” that they use if Teams have the same Overall record is AlphaSort…which only ‘fails’ depending on how one might AlphaSort “The Citadel” - FUBeAR gives them their oft-demanded “The” in front for that purpose.

[FU_Paladin08]

Well at least we can agree Mercer is predicted to be the first loser in 2024.

[FUBeAR]

Well at least we can agree Mercer is predicted to be the first loser in 2024.
Can we though?


FUBeAR’s SoCon Power Ranking

1. Furman - lost a lot; got a lot - will be better at the end of ‘24 than they were in ‘23

1. Mercer - lost a lot & a Coach, but gained a lot too - will be better than ‘23

[FU_Paladin08]

Oh wow, what an oversight on my part. You went with a tie for 1st winners instead of 1st losers, or even tied for 3rd losers. All that 1st loser logic talk seems pointless now. I really feel silly about that. I wasted your time and didn’t even post my own thoughts.


1aa - Furman - because 1aa is the most
1.2a - Chatt - because 1.2 is after 1 numerically
1.2b - WCU - because b comes after a in the alphabet
1.3a - Samford - because 1.3a is the most in the range of 1.3 outcomes listed below
1.3b - ETSU - because they got a better coach
1.3c - Mercer - because they lost a good coach
2 - Wofford - because they aren’t very good
3a - CIT - because they will beat VMI
3b - VMI -because they are the worst

[FUBeAR]

Oh wow, what an oversight on my part. You went with a tie for 1st winners instead of 1st losers, or even tied for 3rd losers. All that 1st loser logic talk seems pointless now. I really feel silly about that. I wasted your time and didn’t even post my own thoughts.


1aa - Furman - because 1aa is the most
1.2a - Chatt - because 1.2 is after 1 numerically
1.2b - WCU - because b comes after a in the alphabet
1.3a - Samford - because 1.3a is the most in the range of 1.3 outcomes listed below
1.3b - ETSU - because they got a better coach
1.3c - Mercer - because they lost a good coach
2 - Wofford - because they aren’t very good
3a - CIT - because they will beat VMI
3b - VMI -because they are the worst
Looks like you’ve got the hang of it now. Good work!

[FUBeAR]

Those 2 inferior conferences - the Big Sky (Big Lie) and the CAA (Coastal (forgot what they had changed the “C” to - had to look it up) Atheltic (sic) Association) ….

have started getting their Week 1 picks in.

If you’re ready with your SoCon Picks, fire away.

FUBeAR will wait-a-while yet.

[SU DOG]

I'll give it a try, being as these are mostly easy IMO.

VMI at W&M - Would love to pick the SoCon Team, but The Tribe will win this one.

WCU at NC State - Upcoming Catamounts might make a good showing here but won't be able to finish off the Pack.

Presbyterian at Mercer - Easy opener for the Bears.

Wofford at Gardner Webb - Terriers showed me something toward the end of last season. They (somehow?) also have NINE players on the preseason All-SoCon List! I'll take Wofford in this one as GWU lost their team and coach to ETSU.

Samford at West Georgia - SAMFORD. If it is even close that will bode bad news for the Bulldogs this year.

UTC at Tennessee - Mocs may be good but won't have the players to beat them. Another game vs SEC where you just hope to be respectable.

ETSU at App State - Will Gardner Webb, I mean ETSU be able to pull off the upset? The Bucs have done well in hiring Lamb and he has some really good ones from GWU, but the Mountaineers won't lose in Boone. ETSU will be stronger in the SoCon than many of us want to admit.

The Citadel at Charleston Southern - Inaugural Lowcountry Boil Bowl Game will unfortunately be a loss for our SoCon Team. Maybe I will be wrong here, but CSU has a lot returning and they look to me to be a team on the upward trend. One thing to note: Does it mean anything that the "other" Bulldogs have yet to post their 2024 roster?

Furman at Ole Miss - First game for the young Paladin team will be a loss. How well can the Furman "culture" carry the team this year will probably not be divulged at Oxford. Not to make fun of the term "culture" as referenced with Furman. It is a real thing, and it does play a role in their success I hate to admit.

[FUBeAR]

I'll give it a try, being as these are mostly easy IMO.

VMI at W&M - Would love to pick the SoCon Team, but The Tribe will win this one.

WCU at NC State - Upcoming Catamounts might make a good showing here but won't be able to finish off the Pack.

Presbyterian at Mercer - Easy opener for the Bears.

Wofford at Gardner Webb - Terriers showed me something toward the end of last season. They (somehow?) also have NINE players on the preseason All-SoCon List! I'll take Wofford in this one as GWU lost their team and coach to ETSU.

Samford at West Georgia - SAMFORD. If it is even close that will bode bad news for the Bulldogs this year.

UTC at Tennessee - Mocs may be good but won't have the players to beat them. Another game vs SEC where you just hope to be respectable.

ETSU at App State - Will Gardner Webb, I mean ETSU be able to pull off the upset? The Bucs have done well in hiring Lamb and he has some really good ones from GWU, but the Mountaineers won't lose in Boone. ETSU will be stronger in the SoCon than many of us want to admit.

The Citadel at Charleston Southern - Inaugural Lowcountry Boil Bowl Game will unfortunately be a loss for our SoCon Team. Maybe I will be wrong here, but CSU has a lot returning and they look to me to be a team on the upward trend. One thing to note: Does it mean anything that the "other" Bulldogs have yet to post their 2024 roster?

Furman at Ole Miss - First game for the young Paladin team will be a loss. How well can the Furman "culture" carry the team this year will probably not be divulged at Oxford. Not to make fun of the term "culture" as referenced with Furman. It is a real thing, and it does play a role in their success I hate to admit.
Not sure FUBeAR will argue too vehemently with any of these picks.

Since you mentioned something about Furman Football culture, FUBeAR likes to remind people of a really interesting ‘streak’ along those lines…and brag about Furman Football a wee bit…for a change :D.


After the 1972 Football season, Art Baker, a Sumter, SC native and Presbyterian College Alum was hired away from Texas Tech, where he was an Assistant Coach, to replace the retiring Bob King, who had been Furman’s Head Coach since 1958, as Head Coach of the Paladins.

Since that November day in 1972, ALL Head Football Coaches at Furman have been ‘direct descendants’ of Coach Baker and his 1973 Coaching Staff…

* Dick Sheridan (HC ‘78-‘85) was on Baker’s 1st Staff.
* Jimmy Satterfield (HC ‘86-‘93) was on Baker’s 1st Staff.
* Bobby Johnson (HC ‘94-‘01), who had played for Sheridan in HS before starring as a DB at Clemson, joined Baker’s Staff in 1976.
* Bobby Lamb (HC ‘02-‘10) played for Sheridan, Satterfield, and Johnson at Furman before joining Satterfield’s & Johnson’s Staffs
* Bruce Fowler (HC ‘11-‘16) played for Sheridan, Satterfield, and Johnson at Furman before joining the Staffs of all 3 of those while they were Head Coaches at Furman
* Clay Hendrix (HC ‘17-Present) played for Sheridan, Satterfield, and Johnson…and with Lamb at Furman (and at Commerce (GA) HS) before joining Sheridan’s Staff at NC State and then Satterfield’s, Johnson’s, and Lamb’s Staffs at Furman

That’s continuity folks! 52+ years of related DNA running through every Paladin Football Team. Not ‘inbred’ though - Hendrix has Championship / Bowl Coaching experience at 2 different FBS programs.

But the ‘Furman Football culture’ is DEFINITELY there. HUGE & VERY ACTIVE / GENEROUS ALUMNI GROUP of Former Players - all sharing so many common & overlapping experiences. And, one of the best things Coach Hendrix does is involving the “old” Champions in meaningful (not corny) ways with the current Players.

It’s really cool. FUBeAR is fortunate and blessed to have been and still be part of the truly rare Furman Football “culture.” He doesn’t think there are many like it.

BTW - FUBeAR was recruited by and signed with Baker; played for Sheridan, Satterfield, and Johnson; and played with Lamb, Fowler, and Hendrix. So, since 1973, no Head Coach of Furman Football hasn’t been an integral part, as a Coach or a Player or both, of FUBeAR’s Furman Football journey. Will be interesting to see who takes the reins when Coach Hendrix decides to depart.

[bonarae]

W&M
NC State
Mercer
Wofford
Samford
Vols
App
Charleston Southern
Ole Miss

[wcugrad95]

Tough opening week for the SOCON overall. Hoping for the teams playing the "big boys" to stay healthy and cash some big checks. As a former player, you go into every game thinking you will be able to compete, but in each of those games you have to think at some point the depth of ACC and SEC teams will be too much. Mercer and Samford are the only gimme games. I expect Wofford to take advantage of all the turnover at GWU to get the conference another win. I'll go toss-up and pull for Citadel. VMI is a bit of a mystery to me. They got much better as the season went on in '23, but that will be a tough opening game on the road. Again - I'll pull for the Keydets but expect the Tribe to be a little too much.

I know it is a cop-out, but especially now with how much turnover we see in FCS I have no clue how to power-rank any of the teams. Furman has very few starters returing, but have a bunch of guys who didn't start but played a fair amount and seem to be back to being good annually. Mercer has a bunch of "dudes" but a new coach. WCU lost a lot but has a lot coming back (can we actually be better on D???). UTC is considered by most pundits as the team to beat. ETSU might as well be considered a totally different team. And on and on.

[FUBeAR]

Tough opening week for the SOCON overall. Hoping for the teams playing the "big boys" to stay healthy and cash some big checks. As a former player, you go into every game thinking you will be able to compete, but in each of those games you have to think at some point the depth of ACC and SEC teams will be too much. Mercer and Samford are the only gimme games. I expect Wofford to take advantage of all the turnover at GWU to get the conference another win. I'll go toss-up and pull for Citadel. VMI is a bit of a mystery to me. They got much better as the season went on in '23, but that will be a tough opening game on the road. Again - I'll pull for the Keydets but expect the Tribe to be a little too much.

I know it is a cop-out, but especially now with how much turnover we see in FCS I have no clue how to power-rank any of the teams. Furman has very few starters returing, but have a bunch of guys who didn't start but played a fair amount and seem to be back to being good annually. Mercer has a bunch of "dudes" but a new coach. WCU lost a lot but has a lot coming back (can we actually be better on D???). UTC is considered by most pundits as the team to beat. ETSU might as well be considered a totally different team. And on and on.So … no picks & no power ranking or is this just your preamble?

[wcugrad95]

I gave the picks:


Winners - Mercer, Samford, Wofford
Toss-up - Citadel
Possible upset - VMI
Expected losses - Furman, UTC, WCU, ETSU


But providing simply the picks:
W&M
NC State
Mercer
Wofford
Samford
Tennessee
App State
Charleston Southern
Ole Miss

[FU_Paladin08]

W&M over VMI: I hope VMI continues to find OOC friends in Virginia to keep them happy.
Mercer over PC: Even the 2023 GWU team could beat PC.
Wofford over GWU: I assume it’s Wofford against a team of portal transfers from ::checks notes:: Tiffin?
NC St over WCU: Maybe Western will surprise us by covering the spread.
UT over UTC: big brother rolls.
App St over ETSU: might have been a good match 30 years ago.
Samford over West Ga: welcome to FCS football Ga wolves.
Citadel over CSU: I’m glad these two are trying to inject some life into low country rivalries, but the BBQ will be better than the football.
Ole Miss over FU: Furman might try to cash the check before leaving Oxford.

[Milktruck74]

In the old days I'd look at a team's finish in the previous year and see what seniors graduated from that team and subtract that talent and use that as my basis to stack rank the conference...but now and I have no idea how to even try to do the power rankings at this point. So,

Potential Contenders (in no particular order): Chattanooga, WCU, Mercer, Sammy, Furple
Lower Middle of the pack: Wofford, ETSUx
Non-Contenders: Citadel, VMI

Bill and Mary - I want to pick my SoCon brethren, but this is not the game to do so.
Mercer - Beat Down, FooBare will talk about how great they are b/c they beat a D3 Club team by 30
Wofford - May be a stretch, but I'm picking my SoCon brethren on this one because they have a chance.
Wolfpack - WCU keeps it close for about 20 mins, then depth takes over.
UTC - My Mocs win by about 650,000, unfortunately it is dollars and not points...just stay healthy, regroup, and cash the check.
APP STATE - ETSUx thinks Trey Lamb is their savior...but he can't quite turn water into wine yet!
Sammy- if it isn't sammy, it'll be a long year for the homewood hounds.
CSU- I hate it for the Bullpups, but Coach Drayton will take a few more games to get the machine built.
Ole Miss - Sorry Fooby, Layla likes spending Coach Kiffin's $9 million a year and he isn't going to let Furple jeopardize benefits he gets for allowing such.

[FUBeAR]

Layla likes spending Coach Kiffin's $9 million a year and he isn't going to let Furple jeopardize benefits he gets for allowing such.
Layla Kiffin and Lane Kiffin divorced in 2016. His current thot-of-the-moment is 27 year old Sally LastNameUnimportant (pictured below, not the one with scales/fins).

You always have great inside info. Are you saying Layla, Lane, and Sally are a thruple?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fvs3tjCaAAEKLps?format=jpg&name=large

[Milktruck74]

Well...I just found out he wasn't still coaching the Vols about two weeks ago! That said, if that hottie is the new Layla, then the old Layla is probably still spending a good portion his $9 million!!!

[FUBeAR]

Well...I just found out he wasn't still coaching the Vols about two weeks ago! That said, if that hottie is the new Layla, then the old Layla is probably still spending a good portion his $9 million!!!
No doubtl FUBeAR’s question was around the “benefits” part of your assertion.

[Milktruck74]

No doubtl FUBeAR’s question was around the “benefits” part of your assertion.

Benefits are invoiced at net 84 Months for services rendered!!!!

[Milktruck74]

https://herosports.com/fcs-anonymous-socon-coaches-predict-bzbz/

SoCon Coaches ANonymous answers...I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Coach Wright Likes Western and their CB!!!! HA.

[FU_Paladin08]

https://herosports.com/fcs-anonymous-socon-coaches-predict-bzbz/

SoCon Coaches ANonymous answers...I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Coach Wright Likes Western and their CB!!!! HA.

Ha! I saw that quote about the Western QB and instantly thought of the Hatch Attack.

[wcugrad95]

I know the article refers to "that corner at Western" as CJ Williams, but if it was Wright he might have actually been talking about Ed Jones IV who returned that pivotal interception to the house against the Mocs last season.

[The Cats]

Picks....

Thursday
NC State
Wofford
Mercer
W&M

Saturday
Tennessee
Appy State
Samford
The Citadel
Ole Miss

Power Ranking - I think I'll just go with Phil Steele's Forcase:

https://i.postimg.cc/HkQQS4gm/IMG-1305.jpg

[FUBeAR]

Kinda Week1-ish…

As a former “Go-Fer” for CBS Sports (NCAAF, NCAA Men’s Basketball, NFL, and NBA), FUBeAR found this REALLY interesting. Y’all may also … or not.

https://twitter.com/danscottshow/status/1826622612417683677

[SU DOG]

What a wonderful representative for Furman Athletics to have this man. His mission work and dedication to helping people is to be greatly admired.

[SU DOG]

The new look North Endzone and crosswalk at Bobby Bowden Field certainly adds to the beauty of Samford's Stadium. The new facility will be used by students for workouts and will also provide dedicated full-court practice areas for Volleyball and Basketball. A suspended track, several more courts, e-sports studio, dance studio, coffee house, and 24-hr convenience store are included. For football in addition to the aesthetic appeal, it will give boosters a panoramic air-conditioned view and host functions there. There is also a large, covered pavilion with artificial turf flooring that will provide football a place for drills and bad weather use. The total project includes construction/remodeling 4 buildings. The total area is 165,000 square feet and the cost is $65 million.

Samford Football on X: "It's here and it's beautiful 😍 #HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/GOxBJqr96J" / X (https://x.com/SamfordFootball/status/1824204671004635403)

[Milktruck74]

33426

not a bad seat to watch a few SoCon guys try and make rosters. Too bad the Furple Guard is on the Raiders IR...I bleed black, so I'm not gonna cheer for this idiots from across the bay, but if Mason Pline gets a catch or two I'll give him a SoCon clap, just for FooBare.

[bonarae]

33426

not a bad seat to watch a few SoCon guys try and make rosters. Too bad the Furple Guard is on the Raiders IR...I bleed black, so I'm not gonna cheer for this idiots from across the bay, but if Mason Pline gets a catch or two I'll give him a SoCon clap, just for FooBare.

Across the desert and mountains now... xrulesx

[Milktruck74]

Across the desert and mountains now... xrulesx

They were still "from across the bay" even during that LA debacle.

[caribbeanhen]

Where is the Wofford fan?

get back to where you once belonged and that right here on AGS

[The Cats]

Where is the Wofford fan?

He gave up a couple years ago...

[Reign of Terrier]

Where is the Wofford fan?

get back to where you once belonged and that right here on AGS


He gave up a couple years ago...

Actually what made me give up posting here last year was the fact that I somehow still faced too much hostility just for having mundane opinions about other Southern Conference schools (that turned out being right!). I’ve been used to losing, since the first Trump administration, so it had nothing to do with wofford.

But saying something along the lines of “I’m skeptical that the style of play Western Carolina plays will get them to the playoffs” unlocked a lot of passive aggression from some fans (I was also a little critical of Furman’s offense, which got some blowback). It’s kinda ironic because we started winning and some of the teams i criticized vindicated me a few weeks later…but I didn’t come back to gloat!

I’m only on here to have fun. Everyone has an opinion and argument for their beliefs and that’s fine, but no one truly knows **** about ****. I’m naturally a long winded person online for various reasons, so I’m one of those guys who’s vulnerable to getting mad and wasting time arguing with someone on the internet for way too long, and i often have to self regulate myself off platforms, especially since i’m an optimistic person and the internet is a magnet of negativity - and people get really mad at me for being optimistic!

A decade ago i would fight people on their bad opinions, but in the last few years i’ve mellowed. I don’t care if someone disagrees with me, but for some reason (I blame politics mostly, and that people don’t realize social media makes them maniacs) AGS isn’t what it used to be in terms of community. Too negative, passive aggressive, and confrontational. There are people outside of the socon forums who are mad at me for things I said when i was 16 (on another site like CS.com) or in 2016 when the internet broke everyone’s brain, when i am now 30 and 2016 was almost a decade ago. I contrast that with how my dad, a Christian minister, became decent friends on here with someone like Cap’n Cat (RIP) and D1B in the early 2000s. Way different vibe.

Also. I geniusly locked myself out of my account and didn’t get it back this morning:D

But I have a feeling Wofford will be better this year so I’ll be like Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football on this site and give it one more go. I’d bet $100 Wofford finishes higher than where the preseason picks them.

[ElCid]

Actually what made me give up posting here last year was the fact that I somehow still faced too much hostility just for having mundane opinions about other Southern Conference schools (that turned out being right!). I’ve been used to losing, since the first Trump administration, so it had nothing to do with wofford.

But saying something along the lines of “I’m skeptical that the style of play Western Carolina plays will get them to the playoffs” unlocked a lot of passive aggression from some fans (I was also a little critical of Furman’s offense, which got some blowback). It’s kinda ironic because we started winning and some of the teams i criticized vindicated me a few weeks later…but I didn’t come back to gloat!

I’m only on here to have fun. Everyone has an opinion and argument for their beliefs and that’s fine, but no one truly knows **** about ****. I’m naturally a long winded person online for various reasons, so I’m one of those guys who’s vulnerable to getting mad and wasting time arguing with someone on the internet for way too long, and i often have to self regulate myself off platforms, especially since i’m an optimistic person and the internet is a magnet of negativity - and people get really mad at me for being optimistic!

A decade ago i would fight people on their bad opinions, but in the last few years i’ve mellowed. I don’t care if someone disagrees with me, but for some reason (I blame politics mostly, and that people don’t realize social media makes them maniacs) AGS isn’t what it used to be in terms of community. Too negative, passive aggressive, and confrontational. There are people outside of the socon forums who are mad at me for things I said when i was 16 (on another site like CS.com) or in 2016 when the internet broke everyone’s brain, when i am now 30 and 2016 was almost a decade ago. I contrast that with how my dad, a Christian minister, became decent friends on here with someone like Cap’n Cat (RIP) and D1B in the early 2000s. Way different vibe.

Also. I geniusly locked myself out of my account and didn’t get it back this morning:D

But I have a feeling Wofford will be better this year so I’ll be like Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football on this site and give it one more go. I’d bet $100 Wofford finishes higher than where the preseason picks them.

Eh. I'm pretty sure everyone gets what they give, regardless of topic.

The cycle of the SOCON has been interesting. I've said it before, and it's hard to dispute. In the last 8-10 years especially, I'm not sure there is another conf that has as much parity within it as the SOCON. Sure some teams have been way up, or way down here or there. But everyone has been there, even if they haven't won it all. That makes for good football. Wofford had to go through the whole coaching thing (a huge loss for them) and of course the option withdrawal. Kind of like us as well. It takes a few years to shake out. I'm sure the end results will look nothing like the preseason coaches poll. It hardly ever does.

[Reign of Terrier]

Wofford’s problems are not really option-related. For some, that’s a hot take, but the reality is that there are hundreds of high school QBs at any given time that can throw the ball well enough to be a game manager at the FCS level.

Wofford’s problems circa 2020-2022 were that Josh Conklin was a maniac who ran all of his good coaches and players out of town. Sam Siefkis, our DC from 2017-2019 was clearly the mastermind of the threepeat defense (he’s in the NFL now), and Wade Lang retired after the spring season. We lost multiple starters and all conference players in the portal because they couldn’t stand Conklin, and the AD just didn’t care to put the dog down after 2021 when we were 1-10.

We brought on Watson in 2022, but did the idiotic move of moving a running back coach to OL. Our OL basically lost a year of development from 2021-2022. We switched to our current OL coach in the spring last year, but weren’t healthy, and didn’t see the fruit of it until mid-way through the season when we could run the ball. And our QB graduated in 2022 after looking great, which left us with not a great room. We never developed a passing game, which was silly because the first month of the season we were trying to run what i would guess is an NFL offense.

I don’t really fault Watson for any of this because he’s really had to rebuild the program from the ground up, inheriting players and coaches that may not have been what he wanted, having to swap position geoups, etc. Last year he pretty much overhauled the defense to be more in line with what he wanted, and we saw the fruit of that. It was a great defense by the end of the year. This year, he has all the coaches he chose, with more changes on the offensive coaching staff. I expect to make major leaps, especially since most everyone is back on both sides of the ball, while lots of teams are rebuilding.

The evergreen problem is quarterback. If we can find one to minimize turnovers and manage the offense, we’ll win quite a few games. If we could have scored 28 points in every game last year - not a crazy high average in today’s game - we’d have probably won 6 or 7 games. But we didn’t cross that threshold once. Thankfully, we’re not starting from 0 like we were literally every year since 2020.

[caribbeanhen]

Actually what made me give up posting here last year was the fact that I somehow still faced too much hostility just for having mundane opinions about other Southern Conference schools (that turned out being right!). I’ve been used to losing, since the first Trump administration, so it had nothing to do with wofford.

But saying something along the lines of “I’m skeptical that the style of play Western Carolina plays will get them to the playoffs” unlocked a lot of passive aggression from some fans (I was also a little critical of Furman’s offense, which got some blowback). It’s kinda ironic because we started winning and some of the teams i criticized vindicated me a few weeks later…but I didn’t come back to gloat!

I’m only on here to have fun. Everyone has an opinion and argument for their beliefs and that’s fine, but no one truly knows **** about ****. I’m naturally a long winded person online for various reasons, so I’m one of those guys who’s vulnerable to getting mad and wasting time arguing with someone on the internet for way too long, and i often have to self regulate myself off platforms, especially since i’m an optimistic person and the internet is a magnet of negativity - and people get really mad at me for being optimistic!

A decade ago i would fight people on their bad opinions, but in the last few years i’ve mellowed. I don’t care if someone disagrees with me, but for some reason (I blame politics mostly, and that people don’t realize social media makes them maniacs) AGS isn’t what it used to be in terms of community. Too negative, passive aggressive, and confrontational. There are people outside of the socon forums who are mad at me for things I said when i was 16 (on another site like CS.com) or in 2016 when the internet broke everyone’s brain, when i am now 30 and 2016 was almost a decade ago. I contrast that with how my dad, a Christian minister, became decent friends on here with someone like Cap’n Cat (RIP) and D1B in the early 2000s. Way different vibe.

Also. I geniusly locked myself out of my account and didn’t get it back this morning:D

But I have a feeling Wofford will be better this year so I’ll be like Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football on this site and give it one more go. I’d bet $100 Wofford finishes higher than where the preseason picks them.


good too see you back

I don’t think anyone is mad

you said it, this place is for fun and sometimes you will be the butt of some jokes so get over it xnodx

[Milktruck74]

Actually what made me give up posting here last year was the fact that I somehow still faced too much hostility just for having mundane opinions about other Southern Conference schools (that turned out being right!). I’ve been used to losing, since the first Trump administration, so it had nothing to do with wofford.

But saying something along the lines of “I’m skeptical that the style of play Western Carolina plays will get them to the playoffs” unlocked a lot of passive aggression from some fans (I was also a little critical of Furman’s offense, which got some blowback). It’s kinda ironic because we started winning and some of the teams i criticized vindicated me a few weeks later…but I didn’t come back to gloat!

I’m only on here to have fun. Everyone has an opinion and argument for their beliefs and that’s fine, but no one truly knows **** about ****. I’m naturally a long winded person online for various reasons, so I’m one of those guys who’s vulnerable to getting mad and wasting time arguing with someone on the internet for way too long, and i often have to self regulate myself off platforms, especially since i’m an optimistic person and the internet is a magnet of negativity - and people get really mad at me for being optimistic!

A decade ago i would fight people on their bad opinions, but in the last few years i’ve mellowed. I don’t care if someone disagrees with me, but for some reason (I blame politics mostly, and that people don’t realize social media makes them maniacs) AGS isn’t what it used to be in terms of community. Too negative, passive aggressive, and confrontational. There are people outside of the socon forums who are mad at me for things I said when i was 16 (on another site like CS.com) or in 2016 when the internet broke everyone’s brain, when i am now 30 and 2016 was almost a decade ago. I contrast that with how my dad, a Christian minister, became decent friends on here with someone like Cap’n Cat (RIP) and D1B in the early 2000s. Way different vibe.

Also. I geniusly locked myself out of my account and didn’t get it back this morning:D

But I have a feeling Wofford will be better this year so I’ll be like Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football on this site and give it one more go. I’d bet $100 Wofford finishes higher than where the preseason picks them.


Welcome back. Your opinion is as informed as anyone else on here. And Screw em if they cant take a joke!!!

[ncspiderfan]

Actually what made me give up posting here last year was the fact that I somehow still faced too much hostility just for having mundane opinions about other Southern Conference schools (that turned out being right!). I’ve been used to losing, since the first Trump administration, so it had nothing to do with wofford.

But saying something along the lines of “I’m skeptical that the style of play Western Carolina plays will get them to the playoffs” unlocked a lot of passive aggression from some fans (I was also a little critical of Furman’s offense, which got some blowback). It’s kinda ironic because we started winning and some of the teams i criticized vindicated me a few weeks later…but I didn’t come back to gloat!

I’m only on here to have fun. Everyone has an opinion and argument for their beliefs and that’s fine, but no one truly knows **** about ****. I’m naturally a long winded person online for various reasons, so I’m one of those guys who’s vulnerable to getting mad and wasting time arguing with someone on the internet for way too long, and i often have to self regulate myself off platforms, especially since i’m an optimistic person and the internet is a magnet of negativity - and people get really mad at me for being optimistic!

A decade ago i would fight people on their bad opinions, but in the last few years i’ve mellowed. I don’t care if someone disagrees with me, but for some reason (I blame politics mostly, and that people don’t realize social media makes them maniacs) AGS isn’t what it used to be in terms of community. Too negative, passive aggressive, and confrontational. There are people outside of the socon forums who are mad at me for things I said when i was 16 (on another site like CS.com) or in 2016 when the internet broke everyone’s brain, when i am now 30 and 2016 was almost a decade ago. I contrast that with how my dad, a Christian minister, became decent friends on here with someone like Cap’n Cat (RIP) and D1B in the early 2000s. Way different vibe.

Also. I geniusly locked myself out of my account and didn’t get it back this morning:D

But I have a feeling Wofford will be better this year so I’ll be like Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football on this site and give it one more go. I’d bet $100 Wofford finishes higher than where the preseason picks them.

I am not taking that bet. On Spider board we are noticing several pre-season 1st 2nd 3rd All SoCon Jrs and Srs returning and wondering why Wofford is picked so low in SoCon. Many of our fanbase is not looking past that game.

[SU DOG]

On a sad note, Ravens OL Coach Joe D'Alessandris passed today after being hospitalized with what was only described as an acute illness. He was 70 years old. He was a Pennsylvania native who played for the WCU Catamounts. He remained with his school as a graduate assistant 1977-1978 and the following year got his first coaching job with Livingston (now West Alabama). I'm thinking this topic is relevant here since he played at a SoCon School and coached for three SoCon Teams. In addition to Western, he was at UTC from 1986-1989 and at Samford as OL and Assistant HC in 1993. This coach has drawn more praise today as any NFL departed coach I can remember as being not only an outstanding coach but will be sorely missed as a wonderful human being. RIP Coach "D".

[GRIZ1948]

Those 2 inferior conferences - the Big Sky (Big Lie) and the CAA (Coastal (forgot what they had changed the “C” to - had to look it up) Atheltic (sic) Association) ….

have started getting their Week 1 picks in.

If you’re ready with your SoCon Picks, fire away.

FUBeAR will wait-a-while yet.

Well Montana of the Big Sky ended Furman's season last Fall and would look forward to doing it again this season.

[The Cats]

On a sad note, Ravens OL Coach Joe D'Alessandris passed today after being hospitalized with what was only described as an acute illness. He was 70 years old. He was a Pennsylvania native who played for the WCU Catamounts. He remained with his school as a graduate assistant 1977-1978 and the following year got his first coaching job with Livingston (now West Alabama). I'm thinking this topic is relevant here since he played at a SoCon School and coached for three SoCon Teams. In addition to Western, he was at UTC from 1986-1989 and at Samford as OL and Assistant HC in 1993. This coach has drawn more praise today as any NFL departed coach I can remember as being not only an outstanding coach but will be sorely missed as a wonderful human being. RIP Coach "D".

https://catamountsports.com/news/2024/8/25/football-wcu-mourns-the-loss-of-hall-of-famer-joe-d-alessandris.aspx


https://catamountsports.com/images/2024/8/25/MournsLoss_JoeD_FRONT.png?width=1416&height=797&mode=crop&quality=80&format=jpg

[Milktruck74]

Cowboy collars....When REAL MEN played the game!!!

[FUBeAR]

Well Montana of the Big Sky ended Furman's season last Fall and would look forward to doing it again this season.
Outstanding idea! It would be fine and fitting this season for Furman to end their season with a win over Montana (of the Big Sky) in Frisco. We can ALL look forward to such an exciting climax to the 2024 FCS Playoffs!

[Reign of Terrier]

I am not taking that bet. On Spider board we are noticing several pre-season 1st 2nd 3rd All SoCon Jrs and Srs returning and wondering why Wofford is picked so low in SoCon. Many of our fanbase is not looking past that game.

I’m not gonna cry media bias because it implies either malice or the media actually caring but IMO a big reason Wofford is rated so low is because we don’t even have a beat reporter anymore. Literally no one is paying attention. We don’t even know who are QB1 is!

Everyone thinks “option gone” and moves on in terms of analyzing how we are bad. Meanwhile, last year, if we make one play against PC/WCU and if VMI does basic groundskeeping, we probably finish 5-6 and the narrative is way different.

[Mocs123]

VMI - 17
William and Mary -34 – I really want VMI to win this one, but I don’t think they’ve got the horsepower.

Wofford - 24 - The Ankle-biters beat the Bulldogs and their first year coach.
Gardner Webb - 20

Presbyterian - 6
Mercer – 41 – This one’s not going to be pretty for the Blue Hose.

Western Carolina - 13
NC State – 47 – Wolfpack rolls over a good Catamount team.

Chattanooga - 14
Tennessee – 37 – I’d love to keep this one close, but the Vols have too much offense.

ETSU - 13
App State – 35 – An ole SoCon rematch, but the Mountaineers are just too strong.

Samford – 56 – Hatch Attack rolls in the opener
West Georgia - 24

The Citadel – 17 – The Bellhops win the battle of the low country.
Charleston Southern - 13

Furman - 17
Ole Miss -36 - Furple keeps this one close for a while, but the Runnin’ Rebs pull away in the second half.

[FUBeAR]

VMI - 17
William and Mary -34 – I really want VMI to win this one, but I don’t think they’ve got the horsepower.

Wofford - 24 - The Ankle-biters beat the Bulldogs and their first year coach.
Gardner Webb - 20

Presbyterian - 6
Mercer – 41 – This one’s not going to be pretty for the Blue Hose.

Western Carolina - 13
NC State – 47 – Wolfpack rolls over a good Catamount team.

Chattanooga - 14
Tennessee – 37 – I’d love to keep this one close, but the Vols have too much offense.

ETSU - 13
App State – 35 – An ole SoCon rematch, but the Mountaineers are just too strong.

Samford – 56 – Hatch Attack rolls in the opener
West Georgia - 24

The Citadel – 17 – The Bellhops win the battle of the low country.
Charleston Southern - 13

Furman - 17
Ole Miss -36 - Furple keeps this one close for a while, but the Runnin’ Rebs pull away in the second half.
Good work. If you’re feeling strongly about that FU @ RebelBearsLandSharkHounds 19 point difference, you should make a serious investment. Current line is … Furman: +42.5

[Reign of Terrier]

Anybody else wake up this morning excited for football season?

[MR. CHICKEN]

Anybody else wake up this morning excited for football season?


...AH WAS PUMPED.....JES' TA WAKE UP.............BRAWK!

[FUBeAR]

...AH WAS PUMPED.....JES' TA WAKE UP.......NOT CUHVEH’D IN FLOUR AND OIL......BRAWK!FYP

[caribbeanhen]

...AH WAS PUMPED.....JES' TA WAKE UP.............BRAWK!

lol

[Reign of Terrier]

Vegas has GW at -7.5….I’d take that bet

[FUBeAR]

Vegas has GW at -7.5….I’d take that bet
Since 50% of G-W’s ‘22 & ‘23 Playoff Teams’ Players - and 99% of their really exceptional Players - now reside in Johnson City, TN … along with the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ former Coaching Staff … and Woffy will be better in ‘24, that does look like an enticing investment opportunity.

[Reign of Terrier]

Since 50% of G-W’s ‘22 & ‘23 Playoff Teams’ Players - and 99% of their really exceptional Players - now reside in Johnson City, TN … along with the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ former Coaching Staff … and Woffy will be better in ‘24, that does look like an enticing investment opportunity.
That and GW’s coaching staff has minimal D1 experience. I imagine they’re a good x’s and o’s staff but what works at D2 may not work at FCS (same with FBS going to FCS fwiw)

Edit: You’re actually overstating who all they have coming back in terms of production. They have 2 players on roster who recorded a tackle for GW last season and maybe 3 who recorded a catch. No returning rushers. No returning QBs. It’s a completely new team. That’s not to say all their transfers are scrubs - they likely aren’t. But this is why I don’t gamble. They are a wildcard.

[TribeNomad1]

I will see GW play again on 9/7 when they come to Harrisonburg to play JMU. That one likely to get ugly quick.

[Reign of Terrier]

Amari Odom, who started and beat Furman last season (he missed most of the year with injury - was pretty much only healthy for that game, and didn’t play a game his senior year of high school) has been announced as QB1 of the Terriers going into GW.

Not being privy to what goes on at practice, that seems to be the right move. He brings a dual threat that Pauly Seely didn’t and Bryce Corriston just didn’t impress in the passing game last season (to say nothing of his own injury problems). I think you can expect Wofford to run the ball a lot, with what passing we do being scripted as opposed to making Odom a field general (just my guess, given what Watson likes to run). Odom’s ability to improvise will be an asset.

Other bits from the two deep: we had a couple freshmen and transfers earn a starting spot. Defense has reloaded and somewhat deep, with 2 DE weighing in at 300ish lbs and Maina, the nose guard, lauded by his teammates as probably being the best on the team.

[FUBeAR]

Amari Odom, who started and beat Furman last season


2023 Wofford vs. Furman Passing










Player
Cmp
Att.
Yds.
TD
Int.
Long
Sack
Passing Efficiency


Odom,Amari
9
18
92
0
1
28
3
81.82

(99th “best” in FCS (the lowest available) in 2023 was 90.91)




2023 Wofford vs. Furman Rushing









Player
Att.
Gain
Loss
Net
TD
Lg.
Avg.


Odom,Amari
7
14
35
-21
0
9
-3.0



https://i.giphy.com/HrWu04MHLrpAI.webp

[ElCid]

I’m not gonna cry media bias because it implies either malice or the media actually caring but IMO a big reason Wofford is rated so low is because we don’t even have a beat reporter anymore. Literally no one is paying attention. We don’t even know who are QB1 is!

Everyone thinks “option gone” and moves on in terms of analyzing how we are bad. Meanwhile, last year, if we make one play against PC/WCU and if VMI does basic groundskeeping, we probably finish 5-6 and the narrative is way different.

I think the option thing is actually bigger than you are thinking. Not alone obviously, but when a culture, thought process, personnel, recruit interest, and any number of other intangibles change, it's going to cause waves. Not even considering the virus. Throw in a loooong time coach leaving and it had to be a multi-year disruption. That's three big disruptive factors all coming together in succession to form a perfect storm, in a bad way. Eliminate any one of those and it might not have been nearly as bad. You obvious know the dirty details better, but this is how I saw it without any bias from personal interest or attachment to the program. Now I could just be projecting our own similar issues, but if the shoe fits.....

[kdinva]

N C State 37, WCU 20
Mercer 45, Presby 13
Wofford 28, Gard-Webb 12
Samford 38, West Georgia 17
Tennessee 54, UTC 23
Appy St. 37, ETSU 21
Citadel 24, Chuck South 18
Mississippi 42, Furman 20
W&M 28, VMI 21

[FUBeAR]

N C State 37, WCU 20
Mercer 45, Presby 13
Wofford 28, Gard-Webb 12
Samford 38, West Georgia 17
Tennessee 54, UTC 23
Appy St. 37, ETSU 21
Citadel 24, Chuck South 18
Mississippi 42, Furman 20
W&M 28, VMI 21
While we’d all like the Roos to win in W’Burg, FUBeAR thinks most SoCon fans wouldn’t be too upset if your forecasts materialize as shown.

[Reign of Terrier]

NC state
Mercer
Wofford
Samford
Tennessee
App
Charleston Southern
Ole Miss
VMI

Chalk on the games with scholarship differences.

Vmi beating William & Mary is a vibe more than anything. I think VMI has a great defense under Rocco, that’s aimed at stopping the run, and that will cause W&M fits. I’m not super confident in this pick - I wouldn’t bet money on it.

i’m picking against the citadel just because i don’t have any confidence in them. CSU wasn’t great last year, but they had a solid defense. Not so much with the citadel. Maybe the traditional socon-big south quality gap (that was only breached during Chadwell’s era or with future FBS programs), but unlike any other team that did poorly in the socon last year, the citadel didn’t really do anything to persuade you they’ll be better (IMO firing a coach when you don’t win a conference game is reasonable, unless he’s also rebuilding from a team that didn’t before)

Picked wofford over GW for obvious homer reasons, but I also think this year Wofford turns it around to at least some extent. Our defense was stellar last year and brings back most playmakers, brings others back from injury (only one listed injury on game notes this week!), and got better in the portal and in recruiting, as evident by some returning players getting beat out in the spring/fall for starting positions. The same is true on offense, and we bring back Amari Odom - who only played in the win against Furman last year. He’ll be QB1 and got more practice time in the spring/summer/fall than last year, as he missed his senior year of high school and most of his freshman year due to injury.

The other reason is that Gardner Webb is just a brand new football team. If both teams were mirror images of each other in terms of philosophy and tendency and coaching experience and one team had a year+ of chemistry under its belt and the other had just a spring and summer, I’d pick the older team. That’s basically the situation we have here. GW only has like 2 players who recorded a reception last year, 2 that made a tackle, no returning QB or running back who saw playing time. This is something you see pretty commonly at this level nowadays, but i think to north alabama last year who was in a similar situation. Game one they had a hard time scoring and then game 2, against a similarly quality team, they lit up the scoreboard. i’m thinking/hoping it’s the same for GW against wofford.

[Reign of Terrier]

2023 Wofford vs. Furman Passing










Player
Cmp
Att.
Yds.
TD
Int.
Long
Sack
Passing Efficiency


Odom,Amari
9
18
92
0
1
28
3
81.82

(99th “best” in FCS (the lowest available) in 2023 was 90.91)




2023 Wofford vs. Furman Rushing









Player
Att.
Gain
Loss
Net
TD
Lg.
Avg.


Odom,Amari
7
14
35
-21
0
9
-3.0



https://i.giphy.com/HrWu04MHLrpAI.webp

okay, now look at the scoreboard and compare his stats to his peer QBs, look at his scrambling ability and tell me he wasn’t the difference in that one

[FUBeAR]

okay, now look at the scoreboard and compare his stats to his peer QBs, look at his scrambling ability and tell me he wasn’t the difference in that one
He wasn’t the difference in that one.

It’s not even debatable.

Tyler Huff & Dom Roberto DNP’ing, primarily, along with a few other factors, not including to any significant extent at all, the play of Woffy’s QB - which, inarguably, was a statistical nightmare - were the reasons that a vastly superior Furman Team failed to outscore a clearly inferior Wofford Team on that one day.


Scrambling? He had 4 non-sack carries which generated a total of 14 positive yards. One of those was a 9 yard gain. So the other 3 carries gained 5 yards…1.66/attempt. So, he had 1 ‘really positive’ play with his legs vs. 6 bad or pretty bad plays and he completed 9 passes. So, he had 10 positive plays when he did anything more than handoff vs. 8 incompletions + 1 INT + 3 Sacked + 3 meh to bad carries … So 15 negative or negative-ish plays. A grade of 40% is not a winning performance.

[Reign of Terrier]

He wasn’t the difference in that one.

It’s not even debatable.

Tyler Huff & Dom Roberto DNP’ing, primarily, along with a few other factors, not including to any significant extent at all, the play of Woffy’s QB - which, inarguably, was a statistical nightmare - were the reasons that a vastly superior Furman Team failed to outscore a clearly inferior Wofford Team on that one day.


Scrambling? He had 4 non-sack carries which generated a total of 14 positive yards. One of those was a 9 yard gain. So the other 3 carries gained 5 yards…1.66/attempt. So, he had 1 ‘really positive’ play with his legs vs. 6 bad or pretty bad plays and he completed 9 passes. So, he had 10 positive plays when he did anything more than handoff vs. 8 incompletions + 1 INT + 3 Sacked + 3 meh to bad carries … So 15 negative or negative-ish plays. A grade of 40% is not a winning performance.

There’s no one play or one variable that wins or loses a football game. But in looking how close that game was, Odom’s scrambling ability (Seeley had none) and his serviceable passing relative to his replacements (basically his WAR rating as a QB), he clearly was the QB to beat Furman, because no other healthy QB on wofford’s roster was capable of matching what he did.

You can find the “Emperor’s Equation” (ie finding a convoluted mathematical argument to obstruct the obvious, much as the emperor has no clothes) about it not being the case, but Amari Odom led the offense that beat Furman. Only 2 FCS teams have a QB that accomplished that, and Wofford was way inferior to the other one, so I think that says a lot about his abilities as a QB in the wofford offense.

[FUBeAR]

He wasn’t the difference in that one.

It’s not even debatable.

Tyler Huff & Dom Roberto DNP’ing, primarily, along with a few other factors, not including to any significant extent at all, the play of Woffy’s QB - which, inarguably, was a statistical nightmare - were the reasons that a vastly superior Furman Team failed to outscore a clearly inferior Wofford Team on that one day.


Scrambling? He had 4 non-sack carries which generated a total of 14 positive yards. One of those was a 9 yard gain. So the other 3 carries gained 5 yards…1.66/attempt. So, he had 1 ‘really positive’ play with his legs vs. 6 bad or pretty bad plays and he completed 9 passes. So, he had 10 positive plays when he did anything more than handoff vs. 8 incompletions + 1 INT + 3 Sacked + 3 meh to bad carries … So 15 negative or negative-ish plays. A grade of 40% is not a winning performance.
All right - him being the ‘difference in the game’ (“beat Furman,” as originally expressed) is not the same as him being IN the game (versus other alternatives that would have been more likely to find a way to lose the game … as you seem to be saying) was the difference that enabled Wofford not to blow it.

That’s fine.

[FUBeAR]

Sure it’s too early, but the CAA peeps already started their Week 1 thread and everyone knows the CAA is way behind the SoCon, so we can’t let them pretend to be ahead in any manner. Posers.

Schedule…


DATE
AWAY
HOME
What shall be, unburdened by what has been…


8/29
VMI
WILLIAM & MARY
The Keydets, with only a 1-way door (Out) to the Transfer Portal, essentially, have to rebuild every year. 2024 will be no different. This Roos squad will battle valiantly, but is likely a bottom of the SoCon Team … which is about equivalent to the best Team in the CAA, as The Tribe is projected to be. So, we’ll call this one a draw, but give Bill & Mary the standard 3-point HFA and a win, in a mild upset.

W&M 20 - VMI 17


8/29
WCU
NC STATE
FUBeAR swung by Carter-Finley Stadium last weekend. Was hoping to spy on a Wolfpack practice and pass along his learnings to Coach Bell. But, he was immediately recognized and escorted off-property. Sorry, Catamounts, not gonna be able to help y’all out this week. You will need all of that you can get. The Wolfpack is going to be good, and they will be ready.

NCSU 49 - WCU 7


8/29
PRESBYTERIAN
MERCER
The new Bears can name their score in this one. The interest will be in watching Mercer’s QB play, the talent of the explosive new transfers, and the Offensive scheme they will run now that the Sling-T has enlisted in the Navy. It’s a rout.

MU 62 - PC 10


8/29
WOFFORD
GARDNER-WEBB
FUBeAR learned just this week that YardBarker QB1, Amari Odom, is likely to wrest the Payton Award from the bunnies’ Mark Gronowski this season. FUBeAR knows that G-W has had to do a complete overhaul and rebuild. Wofford showed improvement last year, so we are going to, CAUTIOUSLY, go with the presumptive Payton Award winner and the more known-ish Team over the huge HFA that the Runnin’ Bulldogs enjoy there in Boiling Springs

WOF 24 - G-W 21


8/31
SAMFORD
WEST GEORGIA
FUBeAR expects West Georgia’s Braves, um, Wolves to compete quickly in FCS. They hired an outstanding Coach in Mercer’s former DC, Joel Taylor. They have a history and tradition of WINNING, and the town of Carrollton (home of the (relatively) new Mr. Little Miss FUBeAR, a former QB for the Carrollton Trojans) is and will be behind their Team 100%. Samford can expect to find a crazy, packed, highly hostile environment on Saturday. This is the kind of game for Samford that reminds FUBeAR of the playoff-bound HomewoodHounds debacle of a loss in 2016 to the 1st year in SoCon, new ETSU program. FUBeAR is really skeered for Samford in this one, but weather played a role in 2016. It might in this one too, but heat should be an advantage for Samford.

SU 15 - UWG 14


8/31
CHATTANOOGA
TENNESSEE
Chatt rarely really competes in their bigger FBS games (except once against Illinois a while back; oh, and one other time against Kentucky) and the TrainBirds may want to keep their powder dry for the actual FBS scalp opportunity they might have next week @ GaState. NativeAmericanSnakes treat this one like a scrimmage - focus on timing, work out the kinks, stay healthy, don’t forget the check.

UT 77 - UTC 7


8/31
ETSU
APPALACHIAN STATE
Coach TLamb is a gunslinger and a riverboat gambler. He wants to make a bangin’ entrance and a big splash QUICKLY. Thus, exactly the opposite of Chatt, the LandLockedPirates go the whole nine yards and empty their cannons trying to win this game in Boone. Coach Lamb almost pulled off several upsets of G5 Teams with less talented Gardner Webb Teams. He gets it done over the Appy’s on a clock-expiring 50+ yard FG … in a game that will go down in history forever to be known as “The Miracle on the Mountain”

ETSU 32 - ASU 30


8/31
THE CITADEL
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
FUBeAR, no fan of the bellhops, is a fan of Coach Drayton. So, contrary to every fiber of his being, FUBeAR is pulling hard for the bellhops to climb out of the sewer pipe in which they’ve been residing in recent years. The new QB will make a difference, but FUBeAR is gonna need to see some more evidence before he can pick the bellhops to beat anyone, including Burke HS. Hate it, but…

CSU 24 - CIT 14


8/31
FURMAN
OLE MISS
All day tailgating in The Grove in Oxford and a gloriously hot and humid Saturday night in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. It really doesn’t get much better than that. Well, half a million $’s also makes it an even nicer day for our heroic Paladins. You know what makes it even better - a SCALP from a Top 5 FBS SEC Team. Ole Miss has not taken Football seriously since their sham of a “Spring Game” featured Tug-o-Wars and Hot Dog Eating Contests. Coach Freshwater is focused on creeping on CoEd Hotties and half of their Players are sitting this one out with “injuries.” Expect them to enter the game when they find themselves 2 scores down late in the 2nd quarter. Paladins have their mojo tuned just right and a band of new purple warriors shows their stuff and maintains Furman’s undefeated record of 100 years of dominance (1st meeting in 1924) against the RebelBearsLandSharkHoundsMoles (moles? See below) and SHOCKS THE WORLD!!

FU 28 - UM 23





FUBeAR will be back with his predictions as we get closer to game week, but he’s ready to go with his Power Ranking - which this year, more than any other, is a shot in the dark…

FUBeAR’s SoCon Power Ranking

1. Furman - lost a lot; got a lot - will be better at the end of ‘24 than they were in ‘23

1. Mercer - lost a lot & a Coach, but gained a lot too - will be better than ‘23

3. Chatt - FUBeAR likes their QB and TrainBirds always are tough on D

4. ETSU - Tre brought some “Louis” w/him from Boiling Springs and he will play to win. Will be a fun Team to watch.

5. Samford - because everyone knows that the 3rd consecutive year of bringing in 40 transfers is always the best year!

6. WCU - Who is FUBeAR to argue with the great & powerful Massey? Catamounts regress to their mean in ‘24. Tough early schedule dooms the rest of the season as doubts begin to creep in.

7. Wofford - lot of young Players got a lot of PT in ‘23. They’ll overachieve in ‘24.

8. CIT - will show some improvement in ‘24, but not necessarily always on the scoreboard.

9. VMI - love the Keydets, but see them also regressing to their traditional mean in ‘24.
NOTE: FUBeAR’S WEEK 1 PICKS HAVE BEEN, TODAY, ADDED INTO THE EDITED QUOTE ABOVE

So…we are all EXTREMELY EXCITED for the SoCon’s 2024 Football Season to kick off tomorrow, but we’re probably all just as excited for TODAY, as this is the day that FUBeAR makes his 1st Picks of the season with, as always, 100% accuracy.

Perfect Prognotications are within the edited / updated quote above…

https://twitter.com/karenehowell/status/1828110306364797248

[ElCid]

NC State 48, WCU 13
Mercer 48, Presbyterian 10
W&M 34, VMI 17
App St. 51, ETSU 7
Mississippi 45, Furman 21
Tennessee 41, Chatty 20
The Citadel 27, CSU 20
Samford 35, West Georgia 16
Wofford 24, Gard-Webb 14

I feel better about my Bulldogs than most probably. Having a talented experienced QB could be a great bonus and give a needed spark to our anemic offense. Even the defense looks to be better.

No surprises with the FBS games. Hopefully end up 3-1 or 4-0 against FCS. I'd love for VMI to get the win on the road, but probably not. If we end up 5-4 on the week, it would be spectacular. But 4-5 or 3-6 is likely with 4 tough FBS games.

[Reign of Terrier]

Just heard from someone that apparently like 90% of the players who played for the citadel last year didn't even start in high school. So, I actually think they will be better this year.

[OrangeAndBlack]

I'm glad it's gameday finally!!

VMI
NC State
Mercer
Wofford
Samford
Tennessee
App State
Charleston Southern
Ole Miss

[FU_Paladin08]

Wofford could have ran the wildcat all day and won that game. Furman beat themselves and coughed up a fumble TD.

[wcugrad95]

Long way to go in Raleigh, but I wish I would have taken the Cats and the 32 points being given.

[Reign of Terrier]

Wofford may not beat Gardner Webb, but I like what I see on both sides of the ball. Special teams, not so much. Amari Odom is definitely the guy to lead this offense. Wofford is losing the field position battle on defense and on offense we're making silly mistakes that are keeping us out of the end zone.

[The Cats]

VMI getting crushed by W&M

[ElCid]

WCU making some great plays. Keeping themselves in it. But we all know the key will be how they do to start the third. So many FCS teams who battled to a lead or tie in the first half come out flat after the half. Go Cats, get the scalp! It would be historic.

[wcugrad95]

That being said ElCid, as a Catamount fan no matter what happens in the 2nd half I am more than happy with our new DC and us focusing on building that side of the ball. Western won’t play another player as good as Concepcion for State.

[ElCid]

Well. WCU is definitely not flat. NC St should really start worrying. Cats looked very good on D and O to start the second half. Heck, third qtr is almost over. Cats up by 4.

[Reign of Terrier]

The Wofford-GW game was great. Both teams made some mistakes (I felt Wofford made more), but you could tell they were both very solid squads who knew their identity.

I'm a hype man for Amari Odom, it's no secret. But man, he played great. Bounced back after a fumble that put us down 9. This team is tough and has heart and is going to win a few games this year.

[FUBeAR]

The Wofford-GW game was great. Both teams made some mistakes (I felt Wofford made more), but you could tell they were both very solid squads who knew their identity.

I'm a hype man for Amari Odom, it's no secret. But man, he played great. Bounced back after a fumble that put us down 9. This team is tough and has heart and is going to win a few games this year.
Good for the SoCon when Woffy doesn’t suck!

[FUBeAR]

At Mercer game - very talented, but very raw. Can win SoCon with polish or finish 6th without marked improvement.

[wcugrad95]

In what often happens, the FBS team wore down the FCS team in the WCU game. Really wish we could have scored a TD or at least a FG when it was 31-21. The stats at the end will say Western’s D played poorly, but I have to say our new DC and the focus on that side of the ball has me optimistic we will be a more balanced football team.

[kdinva]

VMI getting crushed by W&M

william and mary's skill players (offense and defense) as quick as any VMI will face this season, don't be surprised if W&M goes 10-2 and beats CCU next week. New Keydet starters on defense have to get better, not having Eller, Knapp, Dunn, Oliver showed tonight. and again receivers not getting separation killed the passing game

[Reign of Terrier]

In what often happens, the FBS team wore down the FCS team in the WCU game. Really wish we could have scored a TD or at least a FG when it was 31-21. The stats at the end will say Western’s D played poorly, but I have to say our new DC and the focus on that side of the ball has me optimistic we will be a more balanced football team.

So, this is a galaxy brain take from me, but I don't really care as much about stats as I did 5 years ago. Stats help tell the story, but they aren't the only story. Good coaches play the chess match. Why run the ball on third and long? Because defense is ready for a pass. Why did our defense just give up a 15 yard pass on 4th and 20? Because they knew the assignment and could let them get 15.

Stats are great because they help us understand the game and understand the tendencies of each team (to an extent), but don't feel the need to defend yourself to the stat junkies. You saw the game, Western is gonna be a force to be reckoned with, that's all that matters.

[SU DOG]

In what often happens, the FBS team wore down the FCS team in the WCU game. Really wish we could have scored a TD or at least a FG when it was 31-21. The stats at the end will say Western’s D played poorly, but I have to say our new DC and the focus on that side of the ball has me optimistic we will be a more balanced football team.

I agree with you. I am sold on this Catamount Team. It is true that you can only tell so much from one game, however, I could tell that these Cats are fast and very athletic. Western will be hard to beat in the SoCon.

[FUBeAR]

I agree with you. I am sold on this Catamount Team. It is true that you can only tell so much from one game, however, I could tell that these Cats are fast and very athletic. Western will be hard to beat in the SoCon.
Yep … 7 or 8 straight wins and the ‘powers that be’ might even let the SoCon’s Catamounts crack the highly protected ranks of “Others Receiving Votes”

[Smitty]

Happy to see the Cats do well last night, never would have expected to have the lead at the end of the 3rd. I'm hoping this translates to a good season but being a jaded fan I wouldn't be surprised if we miss the playoffs by 1 game again...

[caribbeanhen]

NC state
Mercer
Wofford
Samford
Tennessee
App
Charleston Southern
Ole Miss
VMI

Chalk on the games with scholarship differences.

Vmi beating William & Mary is a vibe more than anything. I think VMI has a great defense under Rocco, that’s aimed at stopping the run, and that will cause W&M fits. I’m not super confident in this pick - I wouldn’t bet money on it.

i’m picking against the citadel just because i don’t have any confidence in them. CSU wasn’t great last year, but they had a solid defense. Not so much with the citadel. Maybe the traditional socon-big south quality gap (that was only breached during Chadwell’s era or with future FBS programs), but unlike any other team that did poorly in the socon last year, the citadel didn’t really do anything to persuade you they’ll be better (IMO firing a coach when you don’t win a conference game is reasonable, unless he’s also rebuilding from a team that didn’t before)

Picked wofford over GW for obvious homer reasons, but I also think this year Wofford turns it around to at least some extent. Our defense was stellar last year and brings back most playmakers, brings others back from injury (only one listed injury on game notes this week!), and got better in the portal and in recruiting, as evident by some returning players getting beat out in the spring/fall for starting positions. The same is true on offense, and we bring back Amari Odom - who only played in the win against Furman last year. He’ll be QB1 and got more practice time in the spring/summer/fall than last year, as he missed his senior year of high school and most of his freshman year due to injury.

The other reason is that Gardner Webb is just a brand new football team. If both teams were mirror images of each other in terms of philosophy and tendency and coaching experience and one team had a year+ of chemistry under its belt and the other had just a spring and summer, I’d pick the older team. That’s basically the situation we have here. GW only has like 2 players who recorded a reception last year, 2 that made a tackle, no returning QB or running back who saw playing time. This is something you see pretty commonly at this level nowadays, but i think to north alabama last year who was in a similar situation. Game one they had a hard time scoring and then game 2, against a similarly quality team, they lit up the scoreboard. i’m thinking/hoping it’s the same for GW against wofford.

wish I would of seen that comment before the game...... no further comment

[Reign of Terrier]

Lol I was *completely* wrong about VMI. Don't feel like we learned too much about William&Mary. They're the same team they've been the last couple of years, and that's not a bad thing. But VMI just played a horrible game and looked nothing like the 5-6 team they were last year.

[Reign of Terrier]

Apparently (per Shawn Watson) Wofford had no idea what kind of defense GW was going to run, guessed 3 schemes based on their DC’s history (he wasn’t a DC before if i’m not mistaken) and GW ran 2 of them. Really impressed with how we played, given that. Amari Odom had a 134 passer rating and would have had more completions had it not been for drops.

GW ran a 4-3 look, and i’m not sure if that reflects some boldness on their coaching staff’s part (a 4-3 is uncommon at best at this level) or confidence in the players they got in the portal. Lot of G5 FBS transfers and high-major FCS transfers. Someone close to Wofford told me they thought GW was going to be better than they were last year. I’m inclined to think they’ll be good. Few FCS teams have a QB with a playoff win under their belt, and GW has one in Ridell.

[Catamount87]

Yep … 7 or 8 straight wins and the ‘powers that be’ might even let the SoCon’s Catamounts crack the highly protected ranks of “Others Receiving Votes”

I'm curious, what would you post had it been Mercer rather than WCU? A Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda post?

[FUBeAR]

I'm curious, what would you post had it been Mercer rather than WCU? A Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda post?
https://i.imgflip.com/3euxk7.jpg


…and…”woulda, coulda, shoulda” THIS…



Season
Location
Score


2023
Cullowhee
Mercer W 45 - 38 WCU L


2022
Macon
Mercer W 49 - 6 WCU L


2021
Cullowhee
Mercer W 34 - 24 WCU L


2020
Macon
Mercer W 45 - 28 WCU L


2019
Cullowhee
Mercer W 49 - 27 WCU L


2018
Macon
Mercer W 59 - 46 WCU L


2017
Cullowhee
Mercer W 35 - 33 WCU L


2016
Macon, Ga.
Mercer W 38 - 24 WCU L

[kdinva]

VMI just played a horrible game and looked nothing like the 5-6 team they were last year.

all Keydet fans concur. Team looked slow and not the emotion we expected.

last season the keydets in game 1 had to rally late to beat Davidson, and we're hoping things will get better weekly......Bucknell will be a test........then to Atlanta for the better than advertised Yellow Jackets.....

[Reign of Terrier]

From the looks of things, VMI lost some key contributors on the defensive side of the ball and some strong pass catchers on offense. i watched a few plays early, and the defense just seemed kind of lost, missing assignments and tackles. The thing with slowing down/stopping W&M is that it’s not that complicated (but that doesn’t mean it’s easy) : You have to make them beat you through the air. Against VMI, the tribe didn’t have to pass, but when they did it was too easy.

Obviously, it’s a game 1 in August, but in the era of the portal it may just be a new trend that VMI won’t play well early. In tough early games, it’s good to lean on experience and upperclassmen as a foundation. VMI has a few, sure, but on defense and wideout no one stepped up. It’s a fixable problem with more snaps, but who is to say how long it’ll take

[Catamount87]

https://i.imgflip.com/3euxk7.jpg


…and…”woulda, coulda, shoulda” THIS…



Season
Location
Score


2023
Cullowhee
Mercer W 45 - 38 WCU L


2022
Macon
Mercer W 49 - 6 WCU L


2021
Cullowhee
Mercer W 34 - 24 WCU L


2020
Macon
Mercer W 45 - 28 WCU L


2019
Cullowhee
Mercer W 49 - 27 WCU L


2018
Macon
Mercer W 59 - 46 WCU L


2017
Cullowhee
Mercer W 35 - 33 WCU L


2016
Macon, Ga.
Mercer W 38 - 24 WCU L




Rather than using your good analytical skills you chose to just take a dig. Had it been Mercer you would have used those analytical skills. You know the game as good as anyone and will give a great breakdown analysis. So, how about an objective analysis for once?

[wcugrad95]

I really don’t want to defend Foobs, but I think his post was more a dig that WCU is actually good but we’ll have to win a bunch of games to get any respect from outside the people who follow the SoCon. At least I hope that was close to the point trying to be made.

[FUBeAR]

I really don’t want to defend Foobs, but I think his post was more a dig that WCU is actually good but we’ll have to win a bunch of games to get any respect from outside the people who follow the SoCon. At least I hope that was close to the point trying to be made.https://previews.123rf.com/images/lisafx/lisafx1103/lisafx110300040/9077723-businessman-points-to-you-and-touches-his-nose-the-symbol-for-you-re-right-isolated-on-white.jpg

[wcugrad95]

Or I guess you could have meant we are as good as NC State and with some more wins we’ll be getting ORV at the FBS level since the Pack were #24 😀

[caribbeanhen]

Lol I was *completely* wrong about VMI. Don't feel like we learned too much about William&Mary. They're the same team they've been the last couple of years, and that's not a bad thing. But VMI just played a horrible game and looked nothing like the 5-6 team they were last year.

William would look good in the Southern Conference

[Reign of Terrier]

Interesting little Amari Odom stat. He turned the ball over early in the second half, and GW scored the next play, putting the Terriers down 9. How did this player, making his second ever start, second ever college football game, first college away game, respond?

11 for 13 for 135 yards through the air, 4 for 24 on the ground, and he completed his last 9 attempts. Look, it’s only one game. Maybe our system is high completion efficiency. Maybe GW’s defense is not great. But as a Wofford fan, I’m licking my chops. We may just have a QB!

[FUBeAR]

Interesting little Amari Odom stat. He turned the ball over early in the second half, and GW scored the next play, putting the Terriers down 9. How did this player, making his second ever start, second ever college football game, first college away game, respond?

11 for 13 for 135 yards through the air, 4 for 24 on the ground, and he completed his last 9 attempts. Look, it’s only one game. Maybe our system is high completion efficiency. Maybe GW’s defense is not great. But as a Wofford fan, I’m licking my chops. We may just have a QB!
His QB Rating for this game was 134.69. That would rank 46th among FCS QB’s in 2023.

That moves him UP to a career rating of 116.73…which would have been 85th among 2023 FCS QB’s.

Add him to Payton Award watchlist!


Glad the PorchYappers picked up the win for the SoCon, just about hitting FUBeAR’s score prediculation.

Now, go ax the arachnids and disband the tribe in the next 2 weeks and FUBeAR will be a believer!!

[Reign of Terrier]

His QBR would have been better had we not had literally 5 drops fwiw

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR approves this message AND this trophy AND what can be cooked up in it!

This is great and, like Woffy is to Furman, should be a good secondary, or maybe tertiary, rivalry for the bellhops. FUBeAR knows the game against VMI for the coveted Dildo Hat will always mean more, but this could be a really good cross-marsh rivalry!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GWUeNdLa8AA6-F9?format=jpg&name=large

[FUBeAR]

Yep…

and FUBeAR sed …

Chatt rarely really competes in their bigger FBS games (except once against Illinois a while back; oh, and one other time against Kentucky) and the TrainBirds may want to keep their powder dry for the actual FBS scalp opportunity they might have next week @ GaState. NativeAmericanSnakes treat this one like a scrimmage - focus on timing, work out the kinks, stay healthy, don’t forget the check.

UT 77 - UTC 7
https://twitter.com/jlasley10/status/1829931523954311190

[MR. CHICKEN]

....WHILE YA'LL BABBLE....SOMEBODAH......NEEDS TA HELP-OUT CHATTY......xeekx.......AWK!

[FU_Paladin08]

Good job Wofford and Mercer.
Good effort Western.
Man, I thought VMI would be better than they were. Too bad.

Need Samford and The Citadel to get wins today for a good OOC record week 1.

[ElCid]

FUBeAR approves this message AND this trophy AND what can be cooked up in it!

This is great and, like Woffy is to Furman, should be a good secondary, or maybe tertiary, rivalry for the bellhops. FUBeAR knows the game against VMI for the coveted Dildo Hat will always mean more, but this could be a really good cross-marsh rivalry!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GWUeNdLa8AA6-F9?format=jpg&name=large

Too bad like three or four of those game were nullified by the NCAA because CSU cheated and used a bunch of ineligible players. One has to have actual respect for its rivals.

[FUBeAR]

Too bad like three or four of those game were nullified by the NCAA because CSU cheated and used a bunch of ineligible players. One has to have actual respect for its rivals.
Really?

FUBeAR never felt or heard much “respect” rolling out of the many rapidly flapping lips of the Corps of Cadets when y’all rallied up and marched into Johnson Hagood Stadium about 3 feet from where we were dressing on the grass because the “respectful” Visitors Locker Room had a capacity of about 20 … maybe. That verbosity certainly extended to the bellhop fans in (and out of) the stands … and certainly to the baby-blue-clad lip-flappers on the field of play. The Citadel’s Players did usually seem to respect the Final Score though; something the NARP Cadets and bellhop fans never seemed to be able to grasp. Their ‘noise’ did not abate regardless of the outcome or the magnitude of the scoring differential.

[ElCid]

Really?

FUBeAR never felt or heard much “respect” rolling out of the many rapidly flapping lips of the Corps of Cadets when y’all rallied up and marched into Johnson Hagood Stadium about 3 feet from where we were dressing on the grass because the “respectful” Visitors Locker Room had a capacity of about 20 … maybe. That verbosity certainly extended to the bellhop fans in (and out of) the stands … and certainly to the baby-blue-clad lip-flappers on the field of play. The Citadel’s Players did usually seem to respect the Final Score though; something the NARP Cadets and bellhop fans never seemed to be able to grasp. Their ‘noise’ did not abate regardless of the outcome or the magnitude of the scoring differential.

So you approve of cheating? Taunting is a given. Using players not eligible to even be on the field is another.

[FUBeAR]

So you approve of cheating? Taunting is a given. Using players not eligible to even be on the field is another.
So … you are saying you have to actually, even silently, respect them even though in every moment of every interaction with them, you demonstrate nothing but overt disrespect?

OK … s’pose that makes sense … in a twisted, bellhopian world-view.

[caribbeanhen]

The southern conference championship game will be played in The Burg on 21 September..... I know the home team is not technically in the Gentlemens Conference just yet but when they knock off Furman they will be crowned the champ.

[ElCid]

We still suck.

[Milktruck74]

Yep…

https://twitter.com/jlasley10/status/1829931523954311190

It was hard to get a real read on my Mocs today. Yes, they let UTK score at will. However, I saw some things that were positive. I think there are some guys that are stepping into some roles. I think we will see a different team nest week at Georgia State.

Also, something to note...the Voles QB could use his NIL money from a single season to fund more than half of the Mocs entire annual Athletic Department Budget!!! So, while the score was tough to take, the Mocs can hold their heads high as STUDENT ATHLETES!!!

[Reign of Terrier]

Samford not looking good defensively and citadel not looking good at all

[ElCid]

Furman is getting their arses handed to them.

[FUBeAR]

Furman is getting their arses handed to them.
Lulling them to sleep before we release the stallions

[FU_Paladin08]

Samford not looking good defensively and citadel not looking good at all

well dang.

[FUBeAR]

Furman is getting their arses handed to them.
FUBeAR is pissed we paid a guy 100k to play hoops for us, then he transfers to Ole Miss, gains 150 pounds, and scores a “Fridge” TD against us!

https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jp-pegues/5535
https://olemisssports.com/sports/football/roster/jj-pegues/5175

[Milktruck74]

Watching Samford v UWG...If I counted correctly there are 103 players on both rosters that didn't start their college careers at those schools.

[Reign of Terrier]

citadel is rallying!

[Reign of Terrier]

Watching Samford v UWG...If I counted correctly there are 103 players on both rosters that didn't start their college careers at those schools.

I’m not impressed with Samford’s defense and it’s worth noting this is the first time I can remember that the bulldogs don’t have a transfer QB starting…or even on roster? someone correct me on that?

[ElCid]

We should have lost. Our D is not real good. Our O is better. Important win though.

[FUBeAR]

Hatcher back on the HOT seat?

[Reign of Terrier]

We should have lost. Our D is not real good. Our O is better. Important win though.
CSU is a run-first team, basically running Chadwell’s offense and it’s not clear that’s a good move in 2024. It makes a solid ball control offense and possibly an efficient pass game, but the limitations are the exact same I said about W&M in another thread.

The biggest takeaway for the citadel is that they’re 1-0 and didn’t give up when they were down 3 scores. Not a lot of information to extract from this one because both teams are still rebuilding.

[Reign of Terrier]

Hatcher back on the HOT seat?
My hottest take is that the only reason he has his job now is because of the 2022 season (not the hot part), and he made it to that point mostly because Wofford - for various reasons - hadn’t beaten him. Take away one of those wins against a socon champ wofford, and the narrative changes.

[SU DOG]

Samford Defense, Offense, and Special Teams all competed for worst units. I think they all tied for stinking it up. Move over VMI and Citadel we are moving into your area. PATHETIC!

[ElCid]

CSU is a run-first team, basically running Chadwell’s offense and it’s not clear that’s a good move in 2024. It makes a solid ball control offense and possibly an efficient pass game, but the limitations are the exact same I said about W&M in another thread.

The biggest takeaway for the citadel is that they’re 1-0 and didn’t give up when they were down 3 scores. Not a lot of information to extract from this one because both teams are still rebuilding.

Yeah I don't know. The only thing impressing me is our stud QB and our running backs looked pretty good. Much faster. But you are definitely right about the psychological aspect. Probably the best part. Kept their heads. This comeback win could propel us to a much better record than I would have originally anticipated.

[FUBeAR]

My hottest take is that the only reason he has his job now is because of the 2022 season (not the hot part), and he made it to that point mostly because Wofford - for various reasons - hadn’t beaten him. Take away one of those wins against a socon champ wofford, and the narrative changes.
He had A LOT of breaks in 2022, also.

Obviously, the debacle of the Officiating (not very often a Conference offers a public mea culpa and terminates the white hat, post-game) at Furman played a BIG role in that win.

Then, Mercer’s OL was starting like 3 FR Walk-on’s due to injuries and couldn’t score a TD on 7 tries inside the 3 … then settling for a FG and … then Sammy pulling it off in 2 OT’s with a walk-on back-up QB making the key play.

8-3 / 6-2 and getting shunned by the Playoff Committee was just as likely as the season the Homewood Hounds had.

Don’t think he’d be the Coach at Samford today if either of those balls hadn’t bounced his way.

[tallgeorgiagent]

Wow!! Ole Miss up on Furman 73-0 with 14 minutes remaining. I’ve seen them just call a game with time on the clock. Anymore scoring by Ole Miss could result in that scenario.


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[wcugrad95]

With a little over 8 mins left, Furman has a total of 6 rushing yards. I think Ole Miss is a playoff team this year, but I sure didn’t see that kind of domination.

With some lopsided SoCon losses to the big boys, not sure what we learn at all from those teams. I think we learned that Wofford and Citadel will play hard. It seems Samford is going in the wrong direction. VMI looks much more like they did in early 2023 than they did at the end of the season, and Mercer is the only team that just kind of went out and did what we all expected.

They say the biggest leap is often from week 1 to week 2, and it will be interesting to see what things looks like after game 2 because for most of the league there are more questions than answers right now.

[Tribe4SF]

With a little over 8 mins left, Furman has a total of 6 rushing yards. I think Ole Miss is a playoff team this year, but I sure didn’t see that kind of domination.

With some lopsided SoCon losses to the big boys, not sure what we learn at all from those teams. I think we learned that Wofford and Citadel will play hard. It seems Samford is going in the wrong direction. VMI looks much more like they did in early 2023 than they did at the end of the season, and Mercer is the only team that just kind of went out and did what we all expected.

They say the biggest leap is often from week 1 to week 2, and it will be interesting to see what things looks like after game 2 because for most of the league there are more questions than answers right now.

Watched the first quarter of Furman and wouldn't take too much from that outcome. Ole Miss is HUGE up front on both sides and clearly one of the best P4 teams.

VMI suffered from some drops and played hard but was overmatched especially with team speed. Hunter Rice impressed. Wouldn't take too much from this one either.

[The Cats]

http://twitter.com/CatamountsFB/status/1830322277701099998

[FUBeAR]

Watched the first quarter of Furman and wouldn't take too much from that outcome. Ole Miss is HUGE up front on both sides and clearly one of the best P4 teams.

VMI suffered from some drops and played hard but was overmatched especially with team speed. Hunter Rice impressed. Wouldn't take too much from this one either.
So…

…in SAT language…

William & Mary is to VMI as Ole Miss is to Furman.

Maybe so … the way y’all are talkin’ up your “1669 Assn,” maybe y’all do have a $20 million Player payroll like Ole Miss does.

[FUBeAR]

Sounds like a guy with a long term contract…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CVag96ZQ4

[caribbeanhen]

Samford Defense, Offense, and Special Teams all competed for worst units. I think they all tied for stinking it up. Move over VMI and Citadel we are moving into your area. PATHETIC!

never thought I was going to hear this SU DOG....

[B&G]

I think everyone looked at West Georgia and saw a D2 school moving up and there ended the analysis. UWG had a Top 10 recruiting class AND a Top 10 transfer class. OC was rated as one of the Top 30 coaches under 30 yrs old in all of NCAA football. QB came from Ole Miss with that OC.

The first half was bookended by a flea flicker for like 70+ yards and a successful Hail Mary. That doesn’t happen every day. Samford was caught sleeping but I don’t think the sky is falling for them so take a deep breath it will be fine.

[SU DOG]

Maybe I am overreacting, but the disappointment is tough. I guess we just don't have playing good defense in our DNA. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and soft defense just causes me to want to throw up. I really thought with the talent and depth we have this season it would be different, but Samford did what Samford does Saturday. Hopefully that will improve, but I dunno.