Purple & Gold's SoCon Football Power Rankings

Welcome to this week's Purple & Gold SoCon Power Rankings for the week beginning 10-13-14. The power rankings are published weekly on Tuesday.

The Southern Conference will feature three conference games this week, along with two out of conference contests. The first is against South Carolina and the other is against Big South member Gardner-Webb.  This will be GWU's forth game against the SoCon teams and I think they are petitioning for conference membership.  The Bulldogs are 1-2 thus far against SoCon competition.

Either or both Chattanooga and Western Carolina have the opportunity to move to a 3-0 conference record in games that each will probably be projected to win. However, a slip-up by either team will give sole possession of first place to the other team, should they win their game.  Now, on to the rankings.

1. (1)  Chattanooga 

Last Game: UTC 10 - Tennessee 45

Record: 3-3 (2-0 SoCon)  - Up next - at The Citadel, 2-4 (0-1 SoCon)
The Mocs are coming off a loss against Tennessee, which was expected, and should be ready to take some frustrations out on The Citadel. In a big game for both teams, the Mocs need to win to remain in first place, while the Citadel can ill afford a second conference loss, which would probably dash thoughts of a SoCon first place finish. 

2. (2)  Samford 

Last Game: Bye

Record: 3-2 (2-1 SoCon) - Up next - Wofford, 3-3 (1-1 SoCon)
The Bulldogs are still in contention for a first place end of season finish, but like the other Bulldogs can ill afford a second conference loss.  Wofford finds itself in the same position as the Citadel, and Samford, they also have one loss.  

3. (3)  Western Carolina 

Last Game: WCU 26 - Wofford 14

Record: 4-2 (2-0 SoCon)  - Up next - Mercer, 5-3  (1-2 SoCon)

The Cats got another monkey off their back last Saturday with win over a Wofford team that had a eight game win streak over the Catamounts.  Western needs the win to remain in contention for first place, and Mercer at two SoCon losses would be eliminated from contention for a championship with three losses, so big stakes for both teams.  

4. (5)  Wofford 

Last Game: Wofford 14 - Western Carolina 26

Record: 3-3 (1-1 SoCon) - Up next - at Samford, 3-2 (2-1 SoCon)                                                                                                                  The Terriers will hope to bounce back after their disappointing loss at the hands of Western Carolina, a win keeps them in contention, a loss may eliminate their championship hopes. Samford is in the same position, needing a win or setteling for second place at best.  

5. (6)  The Citadel 

Last Game: The Citadel 63 - Charlotte 56

Record: 2-4 (0-1 SoCon)  - Up next - Chattanooga, 3-3 (2-0 SoCon)
The Bulldogs will face Chattanooga, and a real challenge against the offensive prowess of the Mocs.  To win this game, the Bulldogs must find their defense they lost in Saturday's win over the 49ers.  

6. (4)  Furman 

Last Game: Bye

Record: 2-4 (2-1 SoCon)  - Up next - at South Carolina, 3-3
Coming off a bye weekend, the Paladins travel to South Carolina to meet the Gamecocks, this will be a tough outing for their new freshman quarterback.  

7. (7)  Mercer 

Last Game: Mercer 49 - Austin Peay 21

Record: 5-2 (1-2 SoCon) - Up next - Western Carolina, 4-2 (2-0 SoCon)           
As we said last week, the Bears continue to surprise skeptics. Not that their win over Austin Peay was a surprise, however the margin of victory over the Ohio Valley Conference school surprised many. The Bears are out to surprise skeptics again this week when the Catamounts visit Macon.  

8. (8)  Virginia Military Institute 

Last Game: VMI 14 - Navy 51 

Record: 1-6 (0-3 SoCon) - Up next - Gardner-Webb, 3-3                                                                                                  This week the Keydets face an old Big South foe, the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb. This is the fourth Southern Conference opponent for the Dogs, who hope to even their record to 2-2 against SoCon foes at the expense of the Keydets.  


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