SoCon Football Power Rankings (10-27-14)

Welcome to this week's Purple & Gold SoCon Power Rankings for the week beginning 10-27-14. The Power ranking are published weekly on Tuesday.

This week, the SoCon will feature three conference games, one out of conference game, as well as Wofford's bye week.

Saturday's games will start at 1:30 pm with Furman at VMI, then at 2:00 pm - Chattanooga is at Western Carolina.  Then at 3 pm, Samford takes on Concordia College, and to finish off the day, The Citadel is at Mercer.

This week's monster game is Chattanooga at Western Carolina. It features the only two teams remaining without a conference loss.  The winner places itself in the drivers seat for a conference championship and the conference's auto NCAA bid with the victory.



1. (1) Chattanooga 
Last Game: UTC 38 - Mercer 31
Record: 5-3 (4-0 SoCon) - Up next - at Western Carolina, 6-2 (4-0 SoCon)

The Mocs are coming off a difficult game, surprisingly against the newest football playing member of the conference, however they did pull out a 1 touchdown win, enough to hold on to first place in the rankings.  How does the near loss bode for the upcoming away game at Western Carolina?  the Mocs have been known to flake out in big games.


2. (2) Western Carolina 
Last Game: WCU 29 - The Citadel 15
Record: 6-2 (4-0 SoCon) - Up next - Chattanooga, 5-3  (4-0 SoCon)

The Cats remained tied for first place in the conference as they picked up their fourth conference victory, and broke a three game winning streak held by the Citadel.  Up coming - this season's SoCon big game - Mocs at Catamounts.  Remember, to be the man, you've got to beat the man! and until they are beaten, Chattanooga is the man in the SoCon.



3. (3) Wofford Last Game: Wofford 38 - VMI 3
Record: 5-3 (3-1 SoCon) - Up next - Bye

Seemingly flying under the radar, the Terriers continue to win conference games, and are still in the race for a conference championship. With only one loss, the Terriers will need some help to get there, but they are doing their part - winning.  This week, the short haired dogs, rest and recuperate.


4. (4) Samford 
Last Game: Samford 45 - Furman 0
Record: 4-3 (3-2 SoCon) - Up next - Concordia College
                         
The Bulldogs made a statement last Saturday with their dominating win over the Paladins, but with 2 conference losses, they are most likely our of the hunt for a share of the conference title, but they can perform the role of spoiler.


5. (5) The Citadel 
Last Game: The Citadel 15 - Western Carolina 29
Record: 2-6 (0-3 SoCon) - Up next - at Mercer, 5-4 (1-4 SoCon)

With no conference wins, and only 2 victories otherwise, the Bulldogs will be playing for pride the remainder of the season. That starts this weekend when they travel to Macon to face the upstart Mercer Bears.  Will the Bears pickup that second conference win this week?  the Bulldogs are determined that will not happen.


6. (7) Mercer Mercer 
Last Game: Mercer 31 - Chattanooga 38
Record: 5-4 (1-4 SoCon) - Up next - The Citadel, 2-6 (0-3 SoCon)

Coming off an impressive loss by only 7 points to conference co-leader Chattanooga, the Bears are confident they can pick off their next opponent, the Citadel.  With Western Carolina the only team beating the Bears by more than 7 points, The Citadel will have a difficult time picking up their first conference victory in Macon, with the Bears celebrating their first Homecoming as members of the SoCon.


7. (6) Furman 
Last Game: Furman 0 - Samford 45
Record: 2-6 (1-2 SoCon) - Up next - VMI, 1-8  (0-4 SoCon)

After a crushing defeat last Saturday at the hands of the Samford Bulldogs, the Paladins look forward their trip to Lexington and VMI.  But, not so fast, the Keydets, with only WCU and the Citadel remaining on their schedule, see the Paladins as their best opportunity to pick up a elusive conference victory.


8. (8) Virginia Military Institute 
Last Game: VMI 3 - Wofford 38
Record: 1-8 (0-4 SoCon) - Up next - at Furman, 2-6 (1-2 SoCon)

This week the Keydets are home against the Furman Paladins.  The Keydets see this as a winnable game after Furman's crushing defeat last week, and their best opportunity for a conference victory the remainder of this season.


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