(STATS) – The Southern Conference hasn’t posted a win over an FBS program since 2015, but some of the blame can go to those diabolic schedule makers at the schools.
SoCon members continue to take on a heavy dose of ACC and SEC opponents in the most ambitious FBS schedule among FCS conferences. Still, they’ve posted 29 FBS wins since 1982.
As FCS programs seek to make their mark again this year, here’s a look at the games involving SoCon teams:
The Matchups (13) – Chattanooga: Tennessee (Sept. 14); The Citadel: Georgia Tech (Sept. 14); ETSU: Appalachian State (Aug. 31) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 23); Furman: Georgia State (Sept. 7) and Virginia Tech (Sept. 14); Mercer: North Carolina (Nov. 23); Samford: Auburn (Nov. 23); VMI: Marshall (Aug. 31) and Army West Point (Nov. 16); Western Carolina: North Carolina State (Sept. 7) and Alabama (Nov. 23); Wofford: Clemson (Nov. 2)
Glamour Games – Wofford at Clemson (Nov. 2) and Western Carolina at Alabama (Nov. 23): The “W” schools, Wofford and Western Carolina, will find it hard to get one against FBS powers that have combined for the last four national titles. Wofford first played Clemson in 1896 and trails 12-3 in the series. Nick Saban gained his first coaching win at Alabama against Western Carolina in 2007 after previously nabbing his first SEC win at LSU against the Catamounts in 2000.
Upset Alert – Furman at Georgia State (Sept. 7): The Paladins’ excellent running game, which includes the return of all five starters on the offensive line, will attack a Georgia State rushing defense that ranked 123rd in the FBS last season. A week later, the Paladins step up in competition against Virginia Tech.
Notable – Separated by only 55 miles, ETSU and Appalachian State will meet for the first time since 2003 (App State holds a 31-14-1 series lead). To close the regular season, the Bucs and all the bachelorette parties will head to Nashville for the Vanderbilt game. … The Chattanooga-Tennessee series dates to 1904, but the two schools will meet for only the second time since 1969. The host Vols are ahead 36-2-2 all-time, including a 45-10 triumph in 2014. The Mocs have a new coach in Rusty Wright. … When they meet on Nov. 23, Samford will hope Auburn has too much focus on Alabama and “The Iron Bowl” one week later. Auburn beat the Bulldogs 31-7 in their meet recent meeting in 2014. … The Citadel and Georgia Tech have 10 previous meetings, most recently a 35-7 Yellowjackets’ win in 2001. Unlike The Citadel, the Yellowjackets are moving away from running a triple option offense. … Mercer hosted North Carolina in the only previous meeting in 1925, when the Tar Heels squeaked out a 3-0 win. … Marshall was a SoCon member and went on to win the national title in its final FCS season when it last faced VMI in 1996. VMI will play two FBS members for the second consecutive season, also traveling to Army West Point.
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