SoCon Football 2026: A Pair of League Tilts Highlight Week Two Slate
WEEK 2 OVERVIEW AND PREVIEWS
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| Tennessee Tech Set to Host Samford in its first official SoCon game |
Unlike last season, the SoCon is gaining momentum as we move forward into the season. Last season at this point, we were all trying to figure out how the SoCon could fix its season before conferencec play began in-earnest.
Thanks to The Citadel's upset win over FBS Charlotte this past weekend, the league now has a win over the highest classification of NCAA Division I football under its proverbial belt. Week two offers the first Saturday with multiple Southern Conference games, as Furman heads to Mercer in what is a huge early-season SoCon game between a pair of teams that expect to compete for the league title this fall. The Paladins and Bears have split the 12 meetings since the Bears joined the league as an official league member back in 2014.
The Paladins will be looking to add to their league-best 304 wins in now their 88th season in the Southern Conference, while Mercer enters its 13th season as a league member with a 55-39 overall record since opening their SoCon account against this same Furman team back in 2014, dropping a heartbreaking, 25-20, game at Five Star Stadium.
Mercer has been SoCon dominant in recent campaigns, however. Over the past five seasons, the Bears have won 49 games, including a 37-11 mark in league play since the start of the 2020-21 season.
The Bears have a 21-3 mark over the past three seasons in league play, and have made three-straight FCS Playoff appearances, and will enter the campaign with a string of 12-straight league wins dating back to a 55-35 loss at Samford in the middle of the '24 season. Prior to the past five seasons, the Bears had posted just an 18-28 mark as a league member in their previous seven seasons as a league member.
Furman defensive end Joshua Stoneking, which had 14.5 sacks to lead the nation a year ago, will be looked to get untracked against the Bears, as he has been the primary focus for most opposing offensive units, and has yet to really get going this season, as he still looking for his first sack this season.
The junior from Raleigh did force a fumble in Furman's 54-6 loss at Tennessee (1-0) last week, and the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award runner-up also has totaled 1.5 tackles-for-loss this season. He led the nation with 23 tackles behind the line-of-scrimmage last season.
Mercer is very much a different team than it was a year ago, as first-year head coach Joel Taylor has welcomed 73 newcomers after both sides of the football were almost completely overhauled following Mike Jacobs' departure to become the head coach at Toledo. Part of that mass exodus included all but one defensive starter from last season, including Buck Buchanan Award winner Andrew Zock.
The other SoCon game sees Tennessee Tech officially begin its journey as a Southern Conference journey, as the Golden Eagles will host Samford at Tucker Stadium in a game slated for a 7 p.m. EST kickoff at Tucker Stadium. Tennessee Tech already got a taste of how tough the league will be last weekend, playing a non-conference game against a league foe, as the Golden Eagles were able to come up with what was a 24-9 road win over Chattanooga in a game that was the Mocs' home opener for the 2026 campaign.
The Bulldogs on the other hand, played their home opener on a Thursday night, suffering yet another tough loss, as the John Grass era is fully now underway, dropping a hard-fought 22-18 contest to Missouri Valley Football Conference member Southern Illinois.
The Bulldogs have struggled to run the football in either of their first two games of the 2026 season, and that was a dedicated focus during the off-season. Maybe even more alarming than even that is the fact that the Bulldogs have allowed nine sacks in two games, which ranks them 110th out of 114 teams ranked so far this season in the "sacks allowed" category.
In recent seasons, Tennessee Tech has been known to have not only a solid pass-rush, but one of the best defensive units in all of FCS football. They have shown that through the first two weeks of the season, having surrendered on only 23 points in the first couple of games of the season. The Golden Eagles have only allowed two touchdowns all season, including holding the Mocs to just three field goals last week.
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| Georgia Southern won the SoCon in its first season as a member back in 1993 |
The Bulldogs will need to have sophomore phenom transfer Marquise Henderson back in the lineup if they hope to pull the upset in this one. Tennessee Tech on the other hand, is looking to start a journey towards becoming the first SoCon program to win a football title in their first season as a league member since Georgia Southern did so in 1993. Kickoff between the Golden Eagles and Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. EST.
While the Golden Eagles will look to match the accomplishments of the former SoCon member Eagles, Chattanooga (1-1) will be looking to get back in the winning column on Saturday when it faces the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (0-2) in a kickoff slated for 6 p.m. EST at Roy Kidd Stadium.
It will mark the seventh all-time meeting between the Mocs and Colonels on the gridiron and the Mocs hold the 3-2-1 in the all-time series. It will mark the first meeting between the Colonels and Mocs since the 2011 season, which saw Chattanooga come away with a 23-14 win on that occasion.
It will mark EKU's second game against a SoCon this season, as the Colonels opened the season with a 45-21 on the road at Western Carolina. The Colonels are the 13th-winningest program in FCS history and won the 1979 and '82 Division I-AA (now FCS) national championships. The Colonels have also appeared in the FCS Playoffs on 23 occasions in their history, which ranks second behind only Montana, which has made 29. The Colonels missed the postseason last year, but were in the FCS playoffs as recent as 2024, while Chattanooga is looking to make it back for the first time since 2023 and for the fifth time in program history.
Also at 6 p.m. EST, The Citadel (1-1) will look to continue its winning ways in its home opener against Charleston Southern (0-2) in a game that is known as the "Low Country Boil". The game is between a pair of teams that share a city but have a dislike for each other.
The rivalry really ramped up when Jamey Chadwell was the head coach at Charleston Southern, and the Bucs saw some unprecedented success as a program from 2013-16, leading the Bucs to their first-ever FCS Playoff appearance in 2015, defeating the Bulldogs 14-6 in an opening round matchup at Buccaneer Field.
The Bulldogs posted a 22-21 win over the Bucs two years ago, they assumed a 8-6 lead in the all-time series. Charleston Southern opened the season with a 20-17 loss to Lindenwood in an OVC/Big South matchup on the opening Thursday night of the season.
The Bucs stepped in competition last week, dropping a 31-0 contest at Georgia Southern. The Citadel's 43-41 overtime win over Charlotte last Saturday marked the program's 10th over an FBS school in its history.
For the first time since 2003, Western Carolina will face off against Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium of the night will be between Western Carolina (1-1) and Cincinnati (1-0) will meet for the first time since 2005, as the two teams played a defensive struggle before the Bearcats came up with a 7-3 win.
The Catamounts will be looking to rebound from a 28-19 loss to Campbell this past Sunday in a game that had to be moved due to a power outage as a result of lightning. The loss dropped the Catamounts out of the FCS Top 25.
Below are a look at the week two previews in the SoCon.
Game 19: Furman (1-1, 0-0 SoCon) at No. 14/18 Mercer (2-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Macon, GA./Five Star Stadium
Time: 6 P.M. EST
How To Watch: ESPN+
Furman Head Coach: Clay Hendrix (61-44/10th Yr at Furman)
Mercer Head Coach: Joel Taylor (14-10 in 3rd Yr/2-0 IN 1st Yr at MU)
Series: 25th Meeting/Furman Leads 12-10-2
Players To Watch For Furman: QB Jake Garcia (Offense)/DE Joshua Stoneking (Defense)
Players To Watch For Mercer: WR Brayden Smith (Offense)/DE Kobe McInnis (Defense)
Furman junior defensive end Joshua Stoneking Will Look to Get His First Sack of 2026 Saturday vs Mercer
Previewing the Matchup: The biggest game in the Southern Conference in week two is an easy pick, as Furman heads to No. 15 Mercer for an early Southern Conference tilt in a game that has major league title and playoff implications. The game will mark one of two SoCon matchups on the third Saturday afternoon of the season, as Samford will be on the road at the newest league member Tennessee Tech in the only other league tilt of the afternoon.
In each of the past two seasons, the Bears have owned the Paladins, claiming what was a 52-28 win in Greenville last season and having posted what was a 49-23 clash in the last matchup between the two in Macon back in 2024, as the Bears clinched their first conference title since returning to the gridiron in 2014, as well as the second-straight trip to the FCS Playoffs.
The two blowout wins by Mercer, which were by 26 and 24 points respectively, mark the second and third largest wins by a Mercer team over Furman in series history, with only the 39-0 win by the Bears over the Paladins in 1914 marking a win by a larger margin.
The Bears come in off a dominating performance last time out against Presbyterian and posted a 62-3 win over hapless Presbyterian, avenging the embarrassment of that 15-10 loss to the Blue Hose last season, which the whole league wore as a Scarlett Letter throughout the season. Furman's 39-38 loss in overtime to that same PC team last season made that letter an even deeper shade of red.
This is a different season, however, but what has remained the constant is Mercer's dominance and grip on the league's title trophy. The two-time defending champions in the SoCon were also the preseason favorites to capture the league crown once again in year 105 of SoCon football.
f the Bears follow through on those lofty preseason predictions, they would be accomplish the feat for just the ninth time and would become the eighth different program in the 93-year history of the SoCon Football to claim three-straight titles, joining Duke (1943-45), West Virginia (1953-56), Furman (1980-84; 1988-90), Georgia Southern (1997-2002), Appalachian State (2005-10); Chattanooga (2013-15) and Wofford (2017-19).
Should the Bears claim a third-consecutive outright SoCon title, it would mark just the fourth time in the history of the league to accomplish the feat, and only second time one of the current members have accomplished the feat.
Should the Bears claim a third-consecutive outright SoCon title, it would mark just the fourth time in the history of the league to accomplish the feat, and only second time one of the current members have accomplished the feat.
Only Furman’s run from 1980-83, which saw the Paladins win four-straight outright crowns under the leadership of Dick Sheridan would mark a better run. The other two programs to accomplish such a feat in the SoCon have long since joined the FBS ranks, with both West Virginia (1953-56) and Duke (1943-45) posting similar dominant runs.
Mercer enters league play having won 18 of its last 19 SoCon games en route to two SoCon titles and three-straight FCS Playoff appearances. Dating back to the start of the spring of 2021 season, the Bears have posted a 32-8 mark against Southern Conference foes.
The Bears have a string of 12-straight SoCon wins dating back to a 55-35 loss at Samford back in the 2024 season and haven't loss a home SoCon tilt since Oct. 14, 2023, when Chattanooga came into Five Star Stadium and handed the Bears a 22-10 setback during that particular season. The Bears have also won 10-straight games against SoCon foes in Five Star Stadium dating back to that loss to Chattanooga in 2023.
On Saturday evening, the Paladins and Bears will be meeting for the 13th time since Mercer returned to the gridiron after a 72-year hiatus in 2014. The two teams have split the previous 12 meetings since Mercer's return to the gridiron 12 years ago. Furman is 3-3 at Five Star Stadium since 2014.
When the Bears easily dispatched of Presbyterian last Saturday, it marked the 22nd win by the Bears in their past 26 home games. Saturday's game against Furman will mark the Bears final one in a three-game homestand to begin the season. Mercer also opened the campaign with a 23-15 win the FCS Classic against the East Texas A&M.
Set to start under center for a third-straight week will be former ETSU signal-caller Jaylen King, who comes into the matchup against Furman having connected on 29-of-45 passes for 425 yards, with 5 TDs and no INTs through the first couple of games.
King has been playing winning football during his time as a Bear, and that wasn't always the case when he was the Bucs starting signal-caller, as he finished his career with the Bucs having completed 116-of-221 passes for 1,536 yards, with 9 TDs and 11 INTs back in 2024.
His top option in the passing attack is preseason SoCon Offensive Player of the Year Brayden Smith at wideout. He leads the Bears' versatile corps of wideouts, as he hauled in 14 passes for 263 yards, with a touchdown, averaging an impressive 18.8 YPR.
If there is such thing is a running back controversy, I suppose the Bears might have one, with a pair of running backs showing that they are more than capable of making the big play out of the backfield. Last Saturday's electrifying jaunt came from freshman talent Devon Caldwell, who sprinted 83 yards for a score, which accounted for the longest touchdown in program history.
It was part of a night that would see him finished the contest with 152 yards on 11 carries, with that long scoring accounting for most of his big night running the football. He comes in as Mercer's leading ground-gainer, as he comes into the conference opener against the Paladins having rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown.
The other talented running back in the Bears' backfield is Zahmari Palode-Gary, who broke off a 63-yard run for a score in the season opening win of East Texas A&M, and he has shared the running responsibilities so far with Caldwell so far this season.
There will be at least one offensive lineman familiar to Furman fans and players, as Brody Balliew, who was a preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection, as he is the starting left tackle for the Bears. Balliew started his career at Furman back in 2024 and then transferred to West Georgia before following his head coach Joel Taylor to Macon during the off-season.
The Bears finished Saturday's lopsided 62-3 win over Presbyterian with 600 yards of total offense, which marks just the seventh time in program history that the Bears have amassed such a total against any opponent. The 329 rushing yards against the Blue Hose marked the 10th-most in a game in program history.
The Bears offensive line has allowed just two sacks through the first couple of games, but figure to see the challenge increase to be upped a few notches this Saturday, as Furman brings one of the most-talented defensive lines in the FCS into Saturday's clash.
That unit is led by three legitimate all-conference caliber players, in defensive end Joshua Stoneking, defensive tackle Demetrius Baldwin and edge rusher Eli Lipscomb. The Paladins have some interchangeable parts along its defensive front, with Baldwin lining up and playing some defensive end last Saturday in the 56-9 loss at No. 20 Tennessee.
With most offensive schemes pre-occupied by Stoneking's presence along the Paladin defensive front early in the '26 season, as he led the nation in sacks (14.5) and tackles-for-loss (23) last season, it's freed up Eli Lipscomb to put up some pretty strong numbers through the first couple of games this season.
Through two games, the former Wingate Freshman All-American is leading the Furman defense so far this season, having posted 12 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries for the Paladin defense through the first two games. Stoneking is still in search of his first sack of the season, however, has four tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and forced a fumble in Furman's loss at Tennessee last week.
The middle of the Paladin defense is solid at linebacker, with Ryan Earl, Caleb Ellison and Raleigh Herbert solidifying the middle of the Paladin spine defensively. The Paladins biggest question mark coming into the season was in the secondary, and in particular, at cornerback. Through the first two games, the Paladins looked improved at least in a limited sample size, although the 'Dins did give up a pair of deep balls for scores in the third quarter last Saturday against Tennessee, but then again, that's what happens when you play a team of the Vols' caliber.
The concern heading into the conference opener against Mercer is the overall health of one of the two starting cornerbacks the Paladins have within their ranks, as Caleb Easterling went down in the second half of Furman's loss at Saturday, when he was inadvertently rolled up under Eli Lipscomb, who was blocked into Easterling's knee on a play. The good news on that front is that the injury doesn't appear to be serious, and he's day-to-day at the moment. It was Easterling that had a 100-yard kickoff return against Mercer last season as a true freshman.
Furman's play at safety this season has been stellar so far, led by a true freshman Braylon Peebles and senior veteran and all-conference performer Billy Smith. Peebles is tied with Lipscomb for the team lead in tackles, having posted 12 tackles and a pair of pass breakups so far this season. Furman's defense is one of the top units in the SoCon. The Paladins have forced three fumbles in the first two games of the season, but have yet to record an INT.
The Bears offense torched Furman for 628 yards in last season's 52-28 win over the Paladins, which included a total of 426 yards through the air. It was another of the top offensive performances in program history for the Bears.
Mercer's defense has seen little drop-off, despite such massive losses to graduation, but mostly due to the transfer portal. Leading that unit up front is Kobe McInnis, who was a preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection, has started the season with five tackles and a pair of tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Linebacker Jyarius Carter and defensive back Cameron Goggins have proven to be excellent additions to the unit from the portal. Carter, who joined the program in the off-season from West Georgia, leads the Bears in tackles through the first two games with 17 tackles, a tackle-for-loss and half-a-sack.
Goggins, who joined the Mercer program from Florida Atlantic during the off-season, was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Week for week zero after his efforts against East Texas A&M, which included a 38-yard INT return for a score that ended up being the deciding score for the Bears in the 23-15 season-opening win. He also has five tackles and a pass breakup in the first two games at Mercer.
The Bears have yielded next to nothing against a pair of opponents they have overmatched to open the season, as Mercer has surrendered just 18 points and an average of just 352.0 YPG through the first two games.
Furman's offense, which has struggled mightily in each of the past two matchups against the Bears, the Paladins have amassed just a combined 549 yards, which includes just 145 yards on the ground in 26 and 24-point losses over the past two seasons. The Paladins rushed for just 72 rushing yards last season and in the 49-23 setback two years ago in Macon, the Paladins had just 73. In last season's matchup, the Bears snapped it 89 times, while the Paladins had only 43. It has complete domination by the Bears in each of the past two seasons.
Everything Furman has done during the off-season, including the players brought in from the transfer portal, have been added based on the glaring weaknesses that showed up in those two losses to the two-time defending champions, with an emphasis on the ground game.
So far, the Paladins have actively shown the ability to adequately run the football. That's something they couldn't do in any of the previous two seasons and something you must be able to do to even be competitive for a league title.
In the opener against Anderson, the Paladins rushed for 268 yards, with both touchdowns coming on the ground. Last time out against Tennessee, the Paladins were able to rush for 178 yards against Tennessee this past weekend, which included 113 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries from Isaiah Davis.
Like the Bears, there are multiple options in the backfield for the Paladins to look to to get production from, including the aforementioned Davis, Ben Croasdale, CJ Nettles, CJ Stokes and even starting quarterback Jake Garcia. In fact, this Furman team is one of the more versatile backfields the Paladins have had under head coach Clay Hendrix, as the Paladins enter the contest ranking third in the SoCon and 18th nationally in rushing offense (222.5 YPG). Only Mercer (248 YPG) and The Citadel (247.5 YPG) rank higher in terms of rushing yards nationally.
Furman's problems offensively have stemmed from inconsistencies in throwing the football, whether that be dropped passes, missed open receivers or simply the fact that the Paladins haven't given the starter Garcia enough time to even go through his progressions, as he has been sacked six times through the first two games, with all six coming in last Saturday's loss to Tennessee.
So far through two games Garcia's passing numbers have been modest, as he has connected on 23-of-45 passes for 219 yards with one INT and no scoring passes. The Paladins' leading receiver through the first couple of games has been Daniel Haughton, as the Dartmouth graduate transfer has posted nine catches for 100 yards (11.1 YPR).
This game will not be like the last two, as I expect it to be low-scoring and for the Paladins to not only run the ball better than they have the past two seasons, but also hold Mercer's offense in-check in the fourth quarter. This will be the first in-league upset of what I expect to be several in what will be a wide-open SoCon title race this fall.
This one really could go either way, but I think Furman converts a late Mercer turnover into a game-winning field goal.
FINAL PREDICTION: FURMAN 24, MERCER 21
Game 20: East Tennessee State (1-1) at North Carolina (1-0)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C./Kenan Stadium
Time: Noon
How To Watch: ESPN+/ACC Network
East Tennessee State Head Coach: Will Healy (36-51 in 9th Yr/8-6 in 2nd Yr at ETSU)
North Carolina Head Coach: Bill Belichick (338-186 in 31 seasons and 29 NFL seasons/5-8 in 2nd yr at UNC)
Series: First Meeting
Players To Watch For ETSU: QB Mason Mims (Offense); LB Dre Delinois (Defense)
Players To Watch For North Carolina: QB Billy Edwards Jr. (Offense); DL Melkart Abou Jaoude (Defense)
Previewing the Matchup: There are indeed some links between East Tennessee State and North Carolina even though the two have never met on the gridiron. One player that links both programs together is Gerald Sensabaugh--a star defensive back for East Tennessee State in the early 2000s, and when the Bucs went on to cancel their football program, Sensabaugh took his talents to the University of North Carolina and from there, parlayed that into a career at the next level with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys.
Sensabaugh was a standout in both seasons at ETSU, and then went to an outstanding season at UNC. In 2003, Sensabaugh finished his final season in what would be the end of an era for ETSU football, posting 74 tackles, two sacks, eight passes defended, blocked five kicks, forced three fumbles and recovered another fumble en route to being named All-SoCon and All-American in his junior campaign in Johnson City. He blocked three punts against Georgia Southern, which still stands as NCAA and Southern Conference records.
In recent years, Alijah Huzzie made the same type of transition, as he went from star defensive back at ETSU to making the two-deep at North Carolina, but didn't experience quite the success that Sensabaugh had in Chapel Hill back in 2023 and '24.
While the Bucs and Tar Heels met on the college basketball hardwood last December, with UNC coming away with a 77-58 win over the eventual regular-season SoCon hoops champions, UNC heads into its first-ever clash with the Bucs on the gridiron as a 36-point favorite.
ETSU was able to get its first win of the 2026 campaign last time out against Tusculum, as the Bucs claimed a 48-14 win over the Pioneers. The Bucs held a 484-321 advantage in total offense, finishing the day with a balanced effort, charting 259 yards through the air and another 225 on the ground.
It was another efficient day at the office for former Louisville quarterback, as he completed on 13-of-21 passes for 242 yards, three TDs and an INT. TJ Peyton rushed for 121 yards and two TDs to lead ground attack.
UNC hasn't played since week zero, when it took on TCU in Dublin, Ireland and the Tar Heels got the upset win in what was a defensive struggle, posting a 15-10 win over the Horned Frogs, and the it was the Tar Heels defense that would significantly impact the game by causing three key turnovers and then recording a safety just before the half to take a 12-10 lead.
The only points of the second half came from the leg of Aeron Burrell, as he connected on a 28-yard field goal with just over 10 minutes left in the third quarter. UNC's defense did the rest in helping the Tar Heels hold off TCU for the win, avenging last season's embarrassing, 48-14, season-opening loss to the Horned Frogs.
Wisconsin transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. ended up leading an efficient afternoon for the UNC offense amid wet conditions at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. He finished 16-of-28 passing for 232 yards, as the Tar Heels churned out 322 yards of total offense, while holding TCU to just 282.
ETSU has two wins its history against FBS foes, which came in 1987 against North Carolina State (29-15), and the most recent was in 2021 against Vanderbilt, getting a 23-3 win over the Commodores, and they'll face a North Carolina team that, despite its upset win to start the season, is under some turmoil due to some off-the-field issues involving general manager Michael Lombardi, who was fired last week following what was uncovered during those investigations.
It's hard to tell whether or not that will have any effect on UNC's home opener, however, I doubt it will be enough for the Tar Heels to suffer the upset to a SoCon member in this one.
FINAL PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 41,
ETSU 17
Game 21: Wofford (2-0, 1-0 SoCon) at Kent State (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Kent, OH/Dix Stadium
Time: Noon
How To Watch: ESPN+
Wofford Head Coach: Shawn Watson (29-47 8th Yr/18-25 in 4th Yr at Wofford)
Kent State Head Coach: Mark Carney (5-8/2nd Yr)
Series: First Meeting
Players To Watch For Wofford: QB JT Fayard (Offense)/DB Eli Coleman (Defense)
Players To Watch For Kent State: QB Dru DeShields (Offense)/LB Rocco Nicholl (Defense)
Previewing The Matchup: Wofford heads on the road for the first time this season where it will face the first to two FBS tests in the non-conference, taking on the Kent State Golden Flashes in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Terriers are in search of their first 3-0 start since 2017 when they take the field Saturday afternoon against Kent State. The Golden Flashes were thrashed last time out, as Kent State traveled to the Palmetto State to be the home opener for the South Carolina Gamecocks, losing 57-0 at Williams-Brice Stadium.
On Saturday, the Golden Flashes will be celebrating their home opener at Dix Stadium and have posted a 49-30-1 record in home openers since 1946, which includes winning their home opener, 21-17, against Merrimack last season. That win was part of a 5-7 inaugural season under now second-year head coach Mark Carney, as he inherited a team that went just 0-12 in 2024. In fact, the Golden Flashes had been just 1-23 in two seasons until Carney came to the rescue.
The Golden Flashes offense will be led by quarterback Dru DeShields, as he turned in one of the best seasons in the MAC by a signal-caller a year ago, as he ranked in the top three in the conference in touchdown passes (18/3rd), second in yards-per-attempt (8.46/2nd) and passing yards per completion (14.93/2nd). DeShields' passing yards per completion last season also ranked third nationally.
Against South Carolina in the season opener, DeShields finished the game completing just 12-of-23 passes for 63 yards, while rushing three times for 27 yards. Last season, DeShields finished the campaign connecting on 136-of-240 passes for 2,030 yards, with 18 TDs and only three INTs. DeShields also finished the season with 143 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 61 attempts.
The Golden Flashes would be held to just 179 yards of total offense in the season-opening loss to the Gamecocks, and when Kent State takes the field Saturday against Wofford, will still be in search of its first points of the season.
Defensively, Kent State is led by linebacker Rocco Nicholl, who transferred into play for the Golden Flashes after playing his first season with Golden Flashes, and he ended up leading Kent State in tackles in the season opener with eight stops. Prior to spending last season at USF, Nicholl spent the previous three with the Golden Flashes, with his best season coming in 2024 with the Golden Flashes, posting 61 tackles and half-a-tackle-for-loss in eight games.
The Golden Flashes entered the campaign having to replace seven starters on the defensive side of the ball coming into the campaign.
Wofford counters with the most starters returning of any team in the Southern Conference from a year ago, as the Terriers have 13 regulars back, and will be facing an FBS foe for the 25th time in the last 26 seasons, having posted a 1-27 all-time against FBS foes.
In 2011, the Terriers led Clemson in the third quarter and in a 2012 contest at South Carolina, the Terriers were tied, 7-7, with the Gamecocks at the start of the final 15 minutes of football. In more recent times, Wyoming scored with just 17 seconds remaining in the game to hold off the Terriers for a 17-14 win. Wofford's lone win all-time against an FBS foe came 26 years ago, as Wofford knocked off Louisiana-Monroe, 24-6.
Leading the Wofford offense once again will be quarterback JT Fayard, who enters Saturday's contest having passed for 296 yards on 29-of-48 passing, with two touchdowns and three INTs. Gerald Modest Jr. highlights the ground attack, having rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 39 attempts (4.9 YPC) in the first couple of games.
On the defensive side of the football, the Terriers have been solid at all three levels, surrendering just 27 points over the first two weeks of the season, with linebackers Wyatt Ward and Elijah Jackson off to strong starts to the 2026 season. Ward leads the team with 18 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Jackson has 15 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, and a forced fumble.
Objectively, this is one of the more winnable FBS games that the Terriers have had in quite some time, dating back to maybe that 2018 game at Wyoming. I expect this one to be pretty close, but unfortunately I think the Terriers just come up short on the road.
FINAL PREDICTION: KENT STATE 31,
WOFFORD 21
Game 22: Bucknell (0-2) at VMI (0-2)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Lexington, VA/Foster Stadium
Time: 1:30 p.m. EST
How To Watch: ESPN+
Bucknell Head Coach: Jeff Behrman (71-29 in 9th Yr overall/0-2 in 1st Yr at Bucknell)
VMI Head Coach: Ashley Ingram (16-8 in 3rd Yr overall/0-2 in 1st Yr at VMI)
Series: 10th meeting/Bucknell leads 6-3
Players To Watch For Bucknell: WR Sam Milligan (Offense)/LB Brandon Biagiarelli (Defense)
Players To Watch for VMI: QB Chandler Wilson (Offense)/LB Isaiah Grevious (Defense)
Previewing the Matchup: Bucknell and VMI meet in what has become a nice little gridiron rivalry between a SoCon team and a Patriot League team over the past couple of seasons. The Bison have already played a couple of league games, posting a 17-16 loss against No. 17 Villanova last time out, while having seen Richmond post a 35-14 win over the Bison on the road in the season opener.
VMI, meanwhile, is coming off what has to be one of its most forgettable performances on the modern era, as the Keydets were taken to the woodshed and then some in James Franklin's first game as the head coach of Virginia Tech, as VMI lost 73-3.
The Keydets are thankfully back home in the friendly confines of Foster Stadium for their first home game of the 2026 season. The Keydets lost a narrow 35-28 contest against the Bison last season. That team was vastly different than the Bison will see this season when they come to Lexington for what figures to be another interesting battle. That VMI team of a year ago was led by the passing of Collin Shannon, who threw for a career-high 362 yards and three touchdowns in a game where the two quarterbacks combined for 767 passing yards, eight touchdowns and only on INT.
This season, VMI no longer has Shannon, as he has moved on Murray State, and the Keydets haven't reached a combined 100 yards passing in the first two games of 2026, as VMI is now running an option-based offense. The Keydets' four quarterbacks have combined to throw for 98 yards and no TDs this season.
The ground attack expectedly been a little better, but not all that much, as the Keydets have rushed for just 225 yards through the first two games against Idaho State and Virginia Tech. Nana Utsey seems to be the guy most inclined towards running the option-based offense, but it is freshman Ian Reynolds that showed a few flashes of a potentially bright future in the lopsided loss last week.
Trevin Simon is the speedier option of the two in the backfield for the Keydets, but Leo Boehling might be one of the top short-yardage backs in the SoCon and is a throwback of sorts when it comes to how he runs the football, running over and through tacklers rather than around them.
Christopher Dietrich is Ralph Rucker's successor under center and that started last season when Rucker went down late in the season with an injury. Through the first two games, Dietrich has completed 45-of-69 passes for 400 yards, with four touchdowns and no picks.
He could be in line to have a big passing day similar to Rucker's last year against the Keydets, as he finished that contest throwing for 405 yards and five scores. VMI has already surrendered 998 yards through the air in just two games, which is of course nearly 500 yards in passing yards alone per game. Dietrich's top target in that passing attack has been Sam Milligan, who has hauled in 19 passes for 205 yards and three scores, averaging 10.8 YPR in the first two games. Milligan was a preseason All-Patriot League selection.
The Bucknell defense is led by preseason All-Patriot League selection linebacker Brandon Biagierelli, who enters the contest with six tackles and half-a-sack through the first two games. The leading tackler for the Bison through the first two games is safety Zahary Corna, who has 13 tackles and a quarterback hurry.
This is one of the few chances I see for the Keydets to get a win in 2026 under first-year head coach Ashley Ingram, but unfortunately, I think VMI drops another close decision to the Bison this season. They'll get another shot at a win when they play Davidson later in the non-conference slate, and that seems more like a reasonable shot at a win.
FINAL PREDICTION: BUCKNELL 38, VMI 34
The Citadel Claimed The Low Country Boil Trophy in 2024
Game 23: Charleston Southern (0-2) at The Citadel (1-1, 0-1 SoCon)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Charleston, S.C./Johnson Hagood Stadium
Time: 6 p.m. EST
How To Watch: ESPN+
Charleston Southern Head Coach: Gabe Giardina (47-44 10th Yr/10-27 in 4th Yr at CSU)
The Citadel Head Coach: Maurice Drayton (10-27 in 4th season at The Citadel)
Series: 15th Meeting/The Citadel Leads 8-6
Players To Watch For Charleston Southern: QB Lek Powell (Offense)/LB Steve Zayachowsky (Defense)
Players To Watch for The Citadel: RB Gavin Garcia (Offense)/LB Zyion Brown (Defense)
Previewing The Matchup: The Citadel and Charleston Southern are set to do battle in the Low Country Boil matchup after skipping the meeting last season. When the battle took place a couple of years ago between the two, the Bulldogs were able to emerge with a thrilling 22-21 at Buccaneer Field, and to the victors go the spoils of the boil, which is a giant trophy with a fresh batch of Frogmore stew in it ready to eat.
The Bulldogs were at the lowest of lows two weeks ago when they opened with a 42-14 SoCon loss at league rival Wofford in the Big Dog Bowl (formerly the Iced Tea Bowl) but rebounded last week in a big way to post a 43-41 overtime FBS win over Charlotte.
Charleston Southern was also taking on an FBS foe last weekend, as the Bucs were blanked 31-0 by Georgia Southern at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro. The Bucs opened the 2026 campaign on the opening Thursday of the season with a 20-17 loss at Lindenwood. Saturday's contest at The Citadel will mark the third-straight game to open the season on the road.
CSU's quarterback will be Lek Powell, who spent the 2025 season as the backup behind Zolten Barnes under center. Barnes has since transferred to Tennessee Tech to give Powell the opportunity to take over the starting job under this season. Through the first two games of the season, Powell has connected on 24-of-52 passes for 277 yards, with a couple of TDs and one INT.
KD Dorsey has been Powell's top option in the passing attack, as he has hauled in five passes for 88 yards this season, while Mekhi Campfield has six catches for 51 yards and a score. In the backfield, the Bucs have looked to Dwayne Wright to lead the ground attack, as he has rushed for 71 yards on 16 attempts (3.9 YPC) through the first couple of weeks of the season. Hakeem Watters will be a nice compliment in the backfield, as he played in the final 10 games last season as a true freshman, rushing for 450 yards and three scores on 85 attempts last fall.
Defensively, the Bucs have one of the top linebackers in the OVC/Big South, in inside linebacker Steve Zayachowsky, who was named a preseason All-American by STATS Perform and has posted a team-leading 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss and a pair of sacks through the first two games.
The Bulldogs have been very much a "bend-but-don't-break" unit defensively through the first couple of games, surrendering 341 yards in the season-opening loss at Wofford, and then last week, The Citadel would end up surrendering 41 points and ended allowing a total of 538 yards to the 49ers before holding on for the triple-overtime win. Through the first two games, the Bulldogs are surrendering 439.5 YPG and 41 PPG as a defense, and that goes without saying that that must improve starting this week if the Bulldogs want to keep the momentum going.
Dartmouth transfer linebacker Zyion Brown is leading that defensive unit, as he has 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack in the first two weeks, as he has proven to be an immediate impact player after transferring in from the Ivy League. At Dartmouth last season, he started all 10 games, leading the Big Green with a team-best 83 tackles and had five tackles-for-loss.
Offensively, the Bulldogs have done what they do under Maurice Drayton, which is effectively run the football no matter if its Quentin Hayes or Nick Billoups leading the way under center. Gavin Garcia is coming off a sensational performance following his contest against Charlotte, as he rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in the triple-overtime win. He has rushed for 205 yards and three scores on 36 attempts through the first two games, and the Bulldogs currently rank second in the SoCon and 11th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 247.5 YPG on the ground per game.
This game will be relatively close, but the Bulldogs will pull away in the fourth quarter to win their another Low Country Boil Trophy.
FINAL PREDICTION: THE CITADEL 42,
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 28
Game 24: Chattanooga (1-1) at Eastern Kentucky (0-2)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Richmond, KY/Roy Kidd Stadium
Time: 6 p.m. EST
How To Watch: ESPN+
Chattanooga Head Coach: Rusty Wright (43-35 in 7th Yr at Chattanooga)
Eastern Kentucky Head Coach: Walt Wells (35-35 in 7th Yr at EKU)
Series: 7th Meeting/UTC Leads 3-2-1
Players To Watch For Chattanooga: QB Battle Alberson (Offense)/LB Zion Rutledge (Defense)
Players To Watch for Eastern Kentucky: RB Brayden Latham (Offense)/LB Kaden Smith (Defense)
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| Chattanooga and EKU set to meet for the first time since 2011 |
Previewing the Matchup: Chattanooga will look to get back in the win column at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday evening following what was a somewhat bizarre 24-9 loss to open the home slate against Tennessee Tech, as words flew between the two head coaches afterwards, in what was a non-conference game in what will in the future be a conference game.
Rusty Wright's team must now regroup and turn its focus towards the next challenge and it won't be an easy one, as the Mocs face off against an Eastern Kentucky team playing its home opener and already off to an 0-2 start after losses at Western Carolina (L, 45-21) and at Jacksonville State (L, 49-7).
The Mocs opened the season with a 24-10 win at UAC member West Georgia but faltered at home last week against one of the SoCon favorites in their home opener. Roy Kidd Stadium has been one of the tougher venues to navigate in recent seasons for non-conference foes looking to steal a win on the road, as the Colonels posted a streak of 10-straight home wins over visiting foes from 2023-25, and that included a perfect 6-0 record inside the friendly confines during the 2024 season.
Chattanooga and EKU haven't met on the gridiron since the 2011 season, with the Mocs coming away with a 23-14 win on that occasion. The Colonels were picked to finish fourth in the eight-team UAC in the preseason poll, while Chattanooga was picked to finish fifth in the 10-team Southern Conference in its league's preseason poll, as picked by the league's nine other head coaches.
The Colonels are a program with pedigree, as the two-time national champions came into the 2026 and with 23 all-time playoff appearances under their proverbial belts. Referred to simply as the "Maroon Doom Defense", Eastern Kentucky has a prided itself on making opposing quarterbacks pay in recent seasons, having recorded 103 total sacks while also totaling 311 tackles-for-loss, 91 takeaways, 53 INTs, 39 fumble recoveries and 11 defensive TDs over the past six seasons.
That unit will be looking to get going after a bit of a rough start following games against Jacksonville State and Western Carolina, which saw the "Maroon Doom" surrender 49 and 45 points, respectively, in a pair of losses to start the season. Safety Derrick Taylor has led the unit so far this season, having posted 20 tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while outside linebacker Jack McGrath is also off to a strong start through the first two games, with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and has the team's lone INT this season.
The most highly-regarded defender on EKU's roster is linebacker Kaden Smith, who entered the season as a member of the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. He was unanimously selected as the preseason UAC Defensive Player of the Year last season after posting 77 tackles, including 37 solo stops, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, an INT and a fumble recovery last season.
Offensively, the Colonels have been okay at times in the first two weeks, as they enter averaging 327.5 YPG through the first two games.
Tyler Travers (34-of-53 passing, 395 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT) will once again lead the Colonels under center, while veteran running backs back Brayden Latham and Brady Hensley are still looking to find their rhythm after the first couple of games. Hensley, who has rushed for 106 yards on 13 attempts, is off to a solid start this season, and he's responsible for the only rushing touchdown of the season for EKU. Latham has 73 yards on 26 attempts, while also having hauled in a couple of passes for 17 yards and one score.
Travers' favorite target when going to the air has been Elijah Caldwell, who has eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown (13.8 YPR).
Chattanooga's offense ranks in the bottom half of the FCS after two games against FCS foes, as the Mocs rank 89th (278.0 YPG) entering Saturday's clash with EKU. Leading the Mocs under center is junior Battle Alberson, who struggled mightily throwing the football last week against a good Tennessee Tech defense, as he finished with just 37 yards passing on 6-for-16 passing and was picked off twice.
Kevin Lalin and Journey Wyche have run the ball solidly in weeks one and two, with Lalin leading the ground attack with 192 yards and a touchdown on 42 attempts, while Wyche has rushed for 113 yards on 12 attempts in his first game of the season against the Golden Eagles last Saturday.
The Mocs have some big-play options at receiver, too, as we saw in the opener with Ashton Schumann (6 rec, 114 yds, 1 TD, 19.0 YPR) being the leading big-play threat for the Mocs through the first two games.
The story for Chattanooga has been the return of the Mocs' vaunted defense, which first gained a reputation for being physically imposing, hard-hitting and dominant in the late 1980s and early 90s, and then saw its return to form under Russ Huesman from 2009-16.
After a forgettable couple of seasons under Tom Arth, the Mocs returned to form under Rusty Wright in 2019 when he took the job at his alma mater where for Chattanooga remained perched atop the league as one of the most dominant.
Then came the 2025 season, which saw the Mocs finished the season ranking 91st overall in total defense last season, surrendering 403.1 YPG. Chattanooga ranked similarly low in scoring defense last season, finishing the season ranked 100th overall nationally, allowing 33.0 PPG. That is unheard of for a Chattanooga defense. Then came last season, which was one that would see the Mocs pushed around.
UTC's return to being one of the stoutest units in the country is notable after the first two weeks is notable, as it shows the dedication and hard work to get back to the standard that has long been a key identity marker for the program down through the decades. Chattanooga enters Saturday's tilt ranking 10th in total defense (228.0 YPG) and sixth in rushing defense (57.0 YPG).
Leading the way is a trio of veterans along the defensive front, in defensive end Orlando Daniels (7 tackles, 1.0 TFL) and defensive tackles Ky Tayo (3 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 FF) and Montrell Henderson (4 tackles, 0.5 TFL). Zion Rutledge (11 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) helps solidify the middle of the defense at linebacker, while defensive back Kam Baah-Slay (12 tackles, 2 PBUs, 1 TFL) is one of the best safeties in the SoCon.
FINAL PREDICTION: CHATTANOOGA 24,
EASTERN KENTUCKY 21
Game 25: Samford (0-2, 0-0 SoCon) at No. 11/12 Tennessee Tech (2-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Cookeville, TN/Tucker Stadium
Time: 7 p.m. EST
How To Watch: ESPN+
Samford Head Coach: John Grass (72-28/9th season as a head coach/0-2/1st at Samford)
Tennessee Tech Head Coach: Bobby Wilder (97-63 in 14th Yr as a head coach/20-7 in 3rd Yr at TTU)
Series: 27th meeting/Samford leads 14-12
Players To Watch For Samford: WR Marquise Henderson (Offense) or WR Preston Bird /ROV Jalen Nelson (Defense)
Players To Watch for Tennessee Tech: RB MJ Flowers (Offense)/CB Cee Rhodes (Defense)
Previewing The Matchup: Tennessee Tech will get its first taste of SoCon football for real on Saturday night, as it will host Samford in the first official Southern Conference game at Tucker Stadium. The game will also mark Tennessee Tech's first game in another conference other than the Ohio Valley Conference for the first time since 1948.
Historically, the two foes know each other decently well from Samford's one time affiliation with the OVC 1991-2007. The Bulldogs come into the matchup looking for their first win of the season, following a 22-18 loss in the home opener last Saturday.
The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, have gotten out to a 2-0 start after wins over No. 22./23 Monmouth (W, 38-14) to start the season, while also having posted a 24-9 win over Chattanooga in a non-conference game that was a defensive struggle last weekend in the Scenic City. The Golden Eagles allowed a meager 37 yards through the air in the win over Chattanooga.
Interestingly, Samford recorded its first win as a program back in 1959 against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, posting a 34-0 win. It would the first of 499 wins for the Bulldogs football program, who could notch win No. 500 with a win on the road Saturday night. The Bulldogs went just 1-7 in league play last season, with the lone SoCon win last fall coming at VMI, 24-22.
Since winning the SoCon with a perfect 8-0 mark in 2022, the Bulldogs have gone just 8-15 over the last three seasons in league play, and that's the biggest reason Samford begins its newest SoCon Football era with its third different football coach of the SoCon era, with John Grass set to lead the Bulldogs Saturday night in what will be his first SoCon game as a head coach. Grass follows Pat Sullivan (2008-14) and Chris Hatcher (2015-25) who have led different eras of SoCon football for the Bulldogs since joining the historically strong FCS conference some 18 years ago.
Likewise, Bobby Wilder, who was the one time highly successful Old Dominion head coach is also set to coach in his first official SoCon game
Samford has been challenged running the football through the first couple of games, and that won't get any easier on Saturday evening, facing a Tennessee Tech defense that is among the best defenses in the nation, as the Golden Eagles enter the third game of the season allowing just 264.5 YPG to rank Tennessee Tech 14th nationally in total defense.
Samford enters ranking 116th out of 116 teams ranked in rushing offense through the first two games, averaging just 31.0 YPG so far this season. In fact, all three of Samford's touchdowns through the first couple of games have come through the air.
Overall, the Bulldogs are averaging 254.5 YPG in total offense, which ranks 97th overall in the FCS among 116 ranked teams. The Bulldogs were missing one of their biggest weapons last time out against Southern Illinois, as speedy wideout Marquise Henderson wasn't available for the Bulldogs' home opener.
With the struggles running the football through the first two games, a home run hitter for this offense in the passing offense like Henderson becomes even more paramount. It was Henderson that had an electrifying 86-yard scoring catch in the season-opening loss at North Alabama.
While there was a quarterback competition throughout fall camp, Oregon State transfer Gabarri Johnson has solidified himself as the starter through the first couple of games. He has completed 39-of-68 passes for 401 yards, with three TDs and a couple of INTs through the first couple of SoCon games.
Tennessee Tech also has a new starter under center, in SEMO transfer Jax Leatherwood. Leatherwood has also been solid under center having put up similar numbers to that of Johnson, as he has connected on 43-of-67 throws for 450 yards, with six touchdowns and just one INT.
While Samford's ground attack has been virtually non-existent through the first two games, the same is not true of Tech, which has been led by former Eastern Illinois star MJ Flowers, who has rushed for 108 yards and a score on 24 attempts (4.5 YPC). Que Ashley has been a nice compliment to Flowers in the backfield for the Purple and Gold, and the versatile Ashley has also hauled in a pair of touchdowns and has four catches for 59 yards to go along with his 39 yards on 13 rush attempts through the first two games.
The Golden Eagles have some big hitters as receivers, with both Gabe Nunez (8 rec, 135 yds, 2 TDs, 16.9 YPR) and Maury Sullivan (8 rec, 112 yds, 2 TDs, 14.0 YPR) the main big-play options via the airways.
Both defensive units have been solid through the first couple of games, but with there such a difference in offensive success between the two teams, expect the Bulldogs defensive unit, which is led by 'Rover' safety Jalen Nelson (team-leading 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sack), to spend quite a bit more time on the field and will wear down in the third quarter, as the Golden Eagles become the first SoCon new member to win their opening league game since 1997.
Recent First Games for SoCon Teams:
2014: No. 17 Furman 25, Mercer 20 (Sept. 6, 2014/Five Star Stadium/Macon, GA)
2008: No. 8 Elon 23, Samford 17 (Sept. 27, 2008/Rhodes Stadium/Elon, N.C.)
2003: No. 8 Furman 24, Elon 7 (Aug. 30, 2003/Paladin Stadium/Greenville, S.C.)
1997: Wofford 23, VMI 13 (Sept. 6, 1997/Gibbs Stadium)
1993: No. 7 Georgia Southern 16, No. 24 The Citadel 6 (Sept. 11, 1993/Allen E. Paulson Stadium/Statesboro, GA)
FINAL PREDICTION: TENNESSEE TECH 42,
SAMFORD 20
Game 26: Western Carolina (1-1, 0-0 SoCon) at Cincinnati (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Date: Sept. 12, 2026
Location: Cincinnati, OH/Nippert Stadium
Time: 7 p.m. EST
How To Watch: ESPN+
Western Carolina Head Coach: Kerwin Bell 125-65 in 17th Yr/32-26 in 6th Yr at WCU)
Cincinnati Head Coach: Scott Satterfield (92-70 in 14th Yr/16-22 in 4th Yr at Cincinnati)
Series: Second Meeting/Cincinnati leads 1-0
Players To Watch For Western Carolina: QB Lex Thomas (Offense)/DB Ken Moore Jr. (Defense)
Players To Watch for Cincinnati: QB JC French IV (Offense)/LB Jonathan Thompson (Defense)
Previewing The Matchup: Western Carolina has had a short week thanks to Mother Nature in eastern North Carolina last weekend, forcing the Saturday evening contest to be postponed until Sunday afternoon in Buies Creek, N.C. The Catamounts were off their game from the outset, falling behind by a couple of scores early and ended up being the second SoCon team taken down by the Camels this season, as Campbell posted what was a 28-19 win.
That loss would drop the Catamounts out of the FCS Top 25, as the Catamounts had entered that matchup a week ago ranked 25th nationally. The Catamounts had 508 yards of total offense in their opening season win over Eastern Kentucky, but then last week had just 327 yards of total offense, but just one rushing yard. The Camels made quarterback Lex Thomas and the Catamount offense one-dimensional, which has been hard for anyone to do this season. The one single rushing yard was the lowest total for the Catamounts under Kerwin Bell's leadership.
The Catamounts have looked better in spots defensively through the first couple of games under new coordinator Nick Raveiz, but did surrender 528 yards last week in the loss to the Camels. Linebacker Joshua Collins leads the Catamounts in tackles through the first two games, having posted 16 stops, while 'Spur' safety Ken Moore Jr. is a preseason All-America selection and has 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack through the first two games.
Cincinnati is now a Big 12 program, and it's in a far different place as a program than when the Catamounts' only other meeting against the Bearcats on the gridiron some 21 years ago in 2005, as Cincinnati was a member of the Big East Conference.
The Bearcats are led by a head coach that knows the Southern Conference quite well, in Scott Satterfield, who coached at Appalachian State in its final season (2013) as a SoCon member and was a longtime assistant for former legendary head coach Mountaineers head coach Jerry Moore (1989-2012).
Satterfield had a standout career as a quarterback at App State, leading the Mountaineers unbeaten regular season as a senior in '95, which included a win over FBS Wake Forest in the season-opener, as the Mountaineers went 11-0 in the regular-season and finished 12-1 overall, breezing through to a SoCon title (8-0) some 31 years ago.
He now leads a program looking for a breakthrough in what figures to once again a wide open Big 12 race. The Bearcats are fittingly led by App State transfer quarterback John French IV, who has had a solid career for Cincinnati.
The Catamounts will have to play perfect to keep it close. I don't know if that's even possible for anyone in FCS when facing a power four conference anymore.
FINAL PREDICTION: CINCINNATI 51,
WESTERN CAROLINA 14
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