Earlier this month, the Southern Conference released its slate of games for broadcast on Nexstar-owned, local, over-the-air stations this season. The slate is small and underwhelming, but I already had much to say about that here. Today, I will rank all six games on the slate.
6. North Greenville @ Citadel, September 14th
The surprising inclusion of a game including a sub-Division I opponent makes Citadel's clash with Division II North Greenville the least-anticipated entry on our list. North Greenville went 5-5 last season and featured an offense that scored only 22 points per game. Citadel fared even worse last season with a winless campaign.
North Greenville has a realistic chance to upset the Bulldogs. Their stout defense allowed an average of only 25 points per game. The Trailblazers return their leading tackler, De'Iveon Donald, and All-American candidate, defensive back EJ Bradford, who broke up 15 passes last year. Citadel has a legitimate test against North Greenville.
Citadel's offense only averaged 10 points per game and scored 12 touchdowns in 2023. Liberty transfer Johnathan Bennett, who threw for over 1500 yards and 12 touchdown passes for the Flames in 2022, hopes to improve the Bulldogs' offense.
Last season, North Greenville nearly upset Citadel's Charleston counterpart, Charleston Southern, racing to a 10-0 lead before losing 13-10 to the Buccaneers.
5. Presbyterian @ Mercer, August 29th
At first glance, this looks like a blowout waiting to happen. Presbyterian went 4-7 with a 2-6 mark in the unheralded Pioneer Football League, while Mercer finished 2023 with a 9-4 record and its first FCS Playoff appearance. However, both teams lose significant pieces.
Mercer must replace nearly its whole offense. Last year's starting quarterback, Carter Peevy (2284 pass yards and 12 rushing touchdowns), departs with his top targets, Ty James and Devron Harper, who combined for over 1700 receiving yards. The Bears' leading rusher, Al Wooten II (715 yards), departs too. Tyrell Coard is the Bears' leading returning rusher, with 244 yards, while their leading returning receiver, Travion Solomon, only has 121 receiving yards.
These are encouraging developments for Presbyterian, who allowed a respectable 25 points per game on defense. The Blue Hose return their leading tackler and Buck Buchanan candidate, Alex Herriot, who had 118 tackles in 2023. The offense must carry its weight for the Blue Hose to pull the upset. Presbyterian scored a paltry 21 points per game in 2023.
4. East Tennessee State @ VMI, November 23rd
The season finale between the Keydets and Pirates likely will not have any playoff implications. Both schools combined for an 8-14 record last season. Struggling quarterback rooms haunted both offenses in 2023. East Tennessee State averaged only 116 yards through the air and had half as many touchdowns (six) as interceptions. VMI averaged 182 yards per game last year and compiled a 7-10 interception ratio. Gardner-Webb transfer Jaylen King looks to improve the Pirates' passing game after passing for over 1200 yards and rushing for over 400 in seven starts.
VMI will lean heavily on the running game, with Hunter Rice leading the charge. Rice ran for 867 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Keydets. Viewers can expect a close game even if both teams are out of contention when they meet. Last year, Hunter Rice clinched the game for the Keydets with less than two minutes remaining when he scored a five-yard touchdown to give VMI a 31-24 win.
viewers can expect a close game even if both teams are out of contention when they meet. Last year, Hunter Rice clinched the game for the Keydets with less than two minutes remaining when he scored a five-yard touchdown to give VMI a 31-24 win.
3. Portland State @ Chattanooga, September 28th
2023 FCS Playoff participant Chattanooga's only appearance on Nexstar is an intriguing intersectional matchup with Portland State. While the Vikings went 5-6 last year, they return the duo of quarterback Dante Chachere and Quincy Craig, who combined for over 1000 yards on the ground in an attack that averaged 226 yards per game. Chattanooga struggled defending the run last year, allowing nearly five yards per carry and 164 yards per game.
Quarterback Chase Artopeous is the main attraction of the Mocs' offense, throwing for 2672 yards in 2023. Artopeous has Javin Whatley (977 receiving yards in 2023) and Sam Phillips (624 receiving yards) returning. Although Portland State is a mediocre Big Sky school, a win helps the Mocs resume in the seeding discussion and increases Southern Conference legitimacy.
2. Furman @ East Tennessee State; November 16th
One of the Southern Conference's best games of 2023 was East Tennessee State's near upset of #3 Furman. The 2-5 Buccaneers trailed the 7-1 Paladins 16-8 late in the 4th quarter when they got the ball on the Furman 43 with a chance to tie the game. East Tennessee State's upset bid fell short when they turned the ball over on downs after gaining just five yards.
East Tennessee State could get revenge for last season as the gap between the Buccaneers and Paladins looks much narrower. The Paladins lose several key pieces from last year's 10-3 squad. Not only does star quarterback Tyler Huff depart, but the Paladins lose their leading rusher from last season, Dominic Roberto, and four of their top five tacklers.
In last year's game, quarterback play was the difference. East Tennessee starter William Riddle had a subpar 11/24 111 yards and three interception stat line. Gardner-Webb transfer Jaylen King will likely perform better against the Furman defense.
1. Campbell at Western Carolina; September 7th
The number one spot may surprise some, but the storylines abound. Is this the year Campbell gets to its elusive first playoff berth? Can Western Carolina break its dreaded playoff drought? A win goes a long way to paving both schools' path to the playoff.
This matchup is the first meeting between the two North Carolina schools. Despite a 5-6 record last season, Campbell can play spoiler, taking FCS Playoff participant North Carolina Central to overtime last season. Although standout starter Hajj-Malik Williams departs, CJ Tillman returns to anchor the defense after a 98-tackle season.
Western Carolina enters the season as the 20th-ranked team in the FCS after a 7-4 season and a brief stint in the top ten of the poll at one Although star running back Desmond Reid departs, Branson Adams looks primed to pick up where he left off after rushing for 539 yards on six yards per carry last season. He provides balance to an offensive attack led by Walter Payton Award sleeper Cole Gonzales, who threw for over 2800 yards and 28 touchdowns.
While the Portland State-Chattanooga game has a similar appeal, the opportunity for the Southern Conference to attain bragging rights over the East Coast's preeminent FCS league makes this a crucial game for the league.
