This week's Purple & Gold football picks (9-3-15)

It's week #1 coming up in the SoCon.  Everyone is undefeated (except NDSU) at this point, and looking to kick off the new season with a victory.

Purple & Gold wishes all the SoCon teams success in their out of conference games.

If the Southern Conference is to regain it's position as the premier FCS football conference, this week's out of conference games are critical to that climb back to respectability.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015

VMI (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Ball State (0-0, 0-0 Home) 7:00 pm ET
The Keydets travel to Muncie, Ind. to meet the Cardinals of Ball State from the Mid-America Conference.  While looking to turn around the fortunes of VMI football, new head coach Scott Wachenheim won't get his first win this week, as the Cardinals roll, 35-10

Central Arkansas (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Samford (0-0, 0-0 Home) 7:00 pm ET
The University of Central Arkansas Bears of the Southland Conference make the trip to Birmingham hoping to pick up a season opening win for second year head coach Steve Campbell. The Bulldogs protect the home turf, in a close 21-17 battle.

Bonus
Kennesaw State (0-0, 0-0 Away) at East Tennessee State (0-0, 0-0 Home) 7:30 pm ET
Two new start up programs, one playing as an independent this season, the other plays a full Big South Conference schedule.  Given the fact that KSU must be ready to play a full conference slate this season, their preparation may just be a little more intense than that of ETSU which plays their first conference game next year.  I'll give the Owls an edge over the Bucs, and a win 24-17.


Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015

Wofford (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Clemson (0-0, 0-0 Home)  12:30 pm ET
The Terriers travel to in-state rival Clemson hoping to keep the final score close.  However, the Tigers have other plans, and will romp to a 49-10 win.

Mercer (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Austin Peay (0-0, 0-0 Home) 5:00 pm ET
The Bears open their second season in the SoCon with a trip to Clarksville to meet the Austin Peay Governors of the Ohio Valley Conference.  Unfortunately for the SoCon's out-of-conference RPI hopes, the Bears disappoint their fans (and the SoCon) with a 28-24 loss to the Governors.

Jacksonville State (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Chattanooga (0-0, 0-0 Home)  6:00 pm ET
In this week's SoCon-OVC showdown, the #8 Mocs host the #9 Gamecocks of Jacksonville State out of the Ohio Valley Conference.  JSU's head coach John Grass, hopes to duplicate last season's win over the Mocs, however, unlike Mercer, the Mocs hold on to pull out a 35-31 home victory over the Gamecocks.

Davidson (0-0, 0-0 Away) at The Citadel (0-0, 0-0 Home)  6:00 pm ET
The Bulldogs open the 2015 season on a high note, with  a  runaway romp in over the hapless Wildcats in Charleston.  Davidson picked up one win last season, but don't expect any wins this year, as the College of Faith - Charlotte can not be found any place on their 2015 schedule. Dogs win big, 49-0.

Mars Hill (0-0) at Western Carolina (0-0, 0-0 Home)  7:00 pm ET
The Catamounts open season four under Head Coach Mark Speir with the expected win against the Division II, Mars Hill Lions, 42-3.

Coastal Carolina (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Furman (0-0, 0-0 Home)  7:00 pm ET
While the hopes are high in Greenville that the Paladins will surge this season with an intact roster, it just won't happen the first weekend of the season.  Unfortunately, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are just too strong for the Paladins to contain at home. The Sun Belt bound Chants pull out a 35-10 victory in Paladin Stadium.

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