Preseason SoCon Power Rankings
It’s almost time for the favorite part of the year for everyone, football season. Samford’s 2024 campaign starts at the newest member of the FCS, West Georgia, on August 31st. What better than preseason Southern Conference power rankings to see where everyone sits before the season?
1. Western Carolina
I can just hear Sam, Mike, and Grant calling this a North Carolina homer pick. I promise I have just as much distaste for the Catamounts as I do the team from Travelers Rest, SC. The Western Carolina Catamounts with QB Cole Gonzales at the helm led the SoCon in both yards per game and points per game last season. Gonzales finished second behind Samford QB Michael Hiers in total passing yards and passing yards per game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team winning the SoCon in 2024.
2. Furman
I swear purple is not my favorite color. Is this school in Travelers Rest or Greenville? Redshirt seniors LBs Evan DiMaggio and Luke Clark will return to bolster the Paladins defense. Each finished behind Chattanooga’s Jay Person and Ben Brewton in total sacks during the 2023 campaign. Look out for the Paladins to dominate the league on the defensive side of the ball this season. Defense wins championships, right?
3. Samford
Our Samford Bulldogs look to put the pieces together and make a run for the SoCon title. LB Noah Martin who led the league in tackles in 2023 is returning to lead the Bulldogs defense for a fifth year. QB Quincy Crittendon looks to be the early favorite to lead the Bulldogs but former Kentucky transfer QB Nik Scalzo could prove himself to be the answer at quarterback. Watch out for former Alabama transfer D.J. Rias to make a name for himself as the top wideout in Homewood. Brendan Jenkins is my sleeper pick for the year. Overall, a lot is up in the air for the Bulldogs in 2024.
Samford WR Brendan Jenkins, image courtesy of Samford Athletics
4. Chattanooga
Okay, so I definitely snubbed the Mocs by putting them at number four. At least that is what the SoCon coaches would think. QB Chase Artopoeus finished top three last season in passing yards behind Samford's Michael Hiers and WCU’s Cole Gonzales. His passer rating was 163.0 only behind Gonzales’ 166.4. The Mocs also return WR Javin Whatley who finished third in receiving yards in the SoCon last year. WR Sam Phillips and Whatley look to lead the league in receiving yards this season. This reminds me, I need to order a new pair of moccasins from Amazon.
5. Mercer
Alright, I will write about Mercer…but that is it! Given the competition in the bottom half of the league Mercer deserves to be ranked fifth. Mercer finished top five in most categories last season. Most notably, they finished second in opponents points per game and rushing yards per game. If Mercer can retain a formidable defensive front, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them hanging in there and causing teams trouble all season.
6. ETSU
7. Wofford
8. VMI
9. The Citadel
Editor’s note: Jeb Gebhart is one of the hosts of The State of the Bulldogs Podcast. You can listen to him with Sam Devaney, Michael Wilson, and Grant Gardner every week. New episodes drop every Wednesday and you can watch and listen to the show on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify.