Saturday, September 23, 2023
-#21Mercer at #8 Furman - 1 pm (ESPN+)
-Wofford at VMI - 1:30 (ESPN+)
-CSU at #23 WCU - 2:30 pm (ESPN+)
-UTC at #20 Samford - 3 pm (ESPN+)
-The Citadel at SC State - 6 pm (ESPN+)
-ETSU (Bye)
Three conference games and two out-of-conference encounters are on The Southern Conference schedule for Saturday, September 23.
The Mercer Bears hit the road to Travelers Rest, SC to face the Furman Paladins in a battle of nationally ranked teams, to open the day's games at 1 p.m. in Paladin Stadium. This game should tell us lots about both teams, as on offense, the Paladins are currently second in the conference, averaging 32.3 points per game (ppg), just ahead of Samford, that comes in at third place, with an average of 27.9 points per game. On defense, the Paladins are in third place giving up 28.3 ppg, while the Bears are at seventh place in the standings, giving up 34 ppg. I think the Paladins win, 35-28.
In the second game of the day, winless Wofford travels to Lexington, Va to face the Keydets. The optimism that was the Terriers to start the season, went down the drain last weekend with their loss to non-scholarship Presbyterian College. The Keydets are looking for their second win of the still young season, facing a depressed Terrier team. The Keydets are actually second in the conference in defense, giving up only 24.3 ppg. I think the final score comes in at around 14-7, in favor of VMI. When it rains, it pours for the Terriers.
At 2:30, the Charleston Southern Bucs face the #23 Western Carolina Catamounts. For the first time in three weeks, the Catamount will face a favorable weather forecast, with a high of 72, and only a 16% chance of rain the the forecast. At this point of the season, the Buc are laying their hopes on a resurgent defense displayed in the last two games, holding #4 William and Mary last week to a total of 15 points. At this point in the season, the Catamount offense ranks number 5 in the conference, scoring an average of 23.3 ppg. Given the way the Buc defense has performed, and given the Cat's somewhat anemic scoring this season, this is certainly not a "give-me game". It's possible the Cats dominate the CSU defense, but, it's just as possible that the Buc defense holds the Cats to a score below their average. Who's got more to prove, the Bucs after that frist D1 win, or the Cats in their drive to a conference championship and a trip to the playoffs. I'll go with the Cat, and am looking for a 28-0 win over the stubborn Buccaneers.
Down in Homewood, AL, the Chattanooga Mocs face the defending SoCon champs at 3 pm (eastern). Rebounding after their unexpected beatdown from UNA to open the season, the Mocs have vaulted out with two wins, and are expected to give the #20 Bulldogs their biggest FCS test since facing the Catamounts, to open conference play. At this point, the Bulldogs are playing for their honor, and after two weeks of difficult games, from WCU and Auburn. At this point in the season, the Bulldogs lack a FCS win, and face a very difficult opponent in their effort to pick up that win. The Mocs lead the conference in offensive points, and defense (points scored agains them). However, I expect the Bulldogs to rebound, and come out with a 24-17 win over the Mocs.
In the final game of the day, it's a battle of the Bulldogs and the battle of the winless, as The Citadel travels to Orangeburg, SC to face the SC State. In three games, The Citadel has scored a total of 10 points, while in the same amout of games SC State has scored 23 points total. Given their home standing, and their doubling of points scored, I see the SC State Bulldogs getting in the win column at the end of the day. It's SC State, 28-3.
